Pride 30

[FGA Office]

08.11.16
Hanes Gym at Greensboro College
Greensboro, NC
AxxessNet

Geoff Penzer: Hello everyone and welcome to another installment of Pride! I am your host, Geoff Penzer! We’ve got another solid night of action lined up for you as LDFC’s finest will head out into the ring and do what they do best. In addition, we’ve got a big announcement later on tonight. So make sure you don’t miss that one.

Now, onto our featured matches for the evening. Like this encounter right here:

Josh Mitchell and Shintaro Majima have been making their way through the ranks over the last several weeks and months. Now they’re just one win away from become the #1 Contender for Jensen Banks’ Old North Championship! Who’s it going to be? Will The Strong Style Savior earn himself another crack at the title? Or will Carolina’s own bring home the win for his home state?

Also here tonight, we’ve got one heck of a grudge match on our hands as The Crimson Baroness goes one on one with Becky! There is no love lost between these two. The beef that these two have goes way back. But the intensity has been ramped up in recent weeks as both members of Brute Camp have been attacked with the Baroness’ foreign objects. Will the Baroness slither away to yet another victory? Or will Becky gain some long awaited revenge?

And in our main event, it’s a rematch that we’ve been looking forward to for weeks now as Nest defends his APEX Championship against Emily Carter! Back at the “Bound by Honor” supercard from four weeks ago, Carter arguably came closer than anyone to defeating Nest. Carter herself argues that Nest was saved by the bell. Regardless, Carter was not able to get the job done at Bound by Honor as the match ended in a time limit draw. Tonight, these two will run it back in a rematch for the ages. Can Carter repeat her performance from the supercard? Can she actually defeat Nest here tonight? Or will Nest silence the remaining doubter and put yet another successful title defense in the books?

[FGA Office]

The match starts with a collar and elbow tie up as Miles Bishop overpowered his opponent. He took Pedro down to the mat with a suplex and kept him there with several knee strikes. Bishop controlled the early goings, using his strength and size to his advantage as he tossed Gonzales around the ring. But all the suplexes and bulldogs in the world couldn’t keep Pedro down for the three count.

In the fourth minute, Pedro found an opening. An Irish whip by Bishop allowed the luchador to counter with a headscissors takedown, and from there the pace quickened. Bishop got kept off his feet by a variety of moves; the STO, and a springboard arm drag were particularly crowd pleasing moments as Pedro seemed to be setting Mile Bishop up for a finish.

But the bicycle knee strike missed as The Total Package side stepped the attack. Pedro turned around and got caught by a chokebomb, and Mile got another two count off his opponent.

Bishop stayed in control for another minute and a half before slipping up. In an attempt to show off his strength, Bishop went for a vertical suplex, only to see Pedro drop down the back and counter with a jumping reverse bulldog. After that Pedro didn’t lose control; he dazzled the fans with some more high flying antics, including a double foot stomp, before finally rolling Miles Bishop up with a la magistral cradle for the three count!

Winner: Pedro Gonzales

[FGA Office]

The show cuts backstage to where one half of the LDFC Apex Tag Team champions, The Crimson Baroness, is standing alongside Jessie Pederson. TCB is already dressed in her ring attire, and has her title belt slung over one shoulder – but she wears a dour expression on her face, probably as a result of what happened on a recent NKP show.

Jessie Pederson: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here with The Crimson Baroness. Ka–Baroness, tonight you’re set to face off against Becky in a one on one match … but that’s not the match you wanted to have tonight is it?

The Crimson Baroness: You know it’s not, Jessie. I was challenged to a match tonight where I’d be up against the FGA World Champion…

Jessie Pederson: Well, would it make you feel any better if you were told that your match tonight has some special stipulations attached to it?

The Baroness’ ears perk up at the mention of stipulations; a smirk appearing across her lips as she asks the pertinent question.

The Crimson Baroness: Stipulations, you say?

Jessie Pederson: I’ve been passed a note down from up high informing me that the rematch clause was taken out of the contract for the title match at Bound by Honor, so Brute Camp aren’t scheduled to be challenging for yours and Keegans titles any time soon.

The Crimson Baroness: You were right, this does please me. And I can only agree with the decision to bar them from an automatic rematch, sweetie - we have defeated them on two separate occasions now! So, who are our next challengers?

Jessie Pederson: Well…

She stalls for time, which only causes TCB to glare at her.

Jessie Pederson: It appears as if the higher ups disagree with you. So they’ve added a stipulation to your match against Becky tonight; if you win then, no, Brute Camp won’t receive a title match at the upcoming Supershow as expected.

The Crimson Baroness: …but?

Jessie Pederson: If Becky wins tonight…

The Baroness scoffs.

Jessie Pederson: …then not only do Brute Camp receive a title match at the upcoming Supershow, but Becky also gets five minutes alone in the ring with the woman who cost her the titles … Anita.

That one causes The Crimson Baroness to scowl; she grabs Jessie by the shoulder, digging her fingers in as she gets up close and personal.

The Crimson Baroness: What?

Jessie Pederson: Ow…she gets…

The Crimson Baroness: No, I heard you. I want you to explain that one to me, sweetie.

Jessie Pederson: Well, she did hand you the bat you used to hit Mason in the face at Bound by Honor. So it seems fair that if she wants to get involved, that she can do so in the ring. After all, she does attend training sessions and knows a few moves to defend herself.

The Baroness knocks the microphone out of Jessie’s hand before storming away off screen.

The Crimson Baroness: Fuck it, now I’ll take her head off…

She can be heard saying as the scene cuts back to ringside.

[FGA Office]

The match starts with a collar and elbow tie up, as Keegan delivers a thumb to the eye. He seems to take his opponent lightly in the early goings, although he targets Maritza’s legs with some precision strikes. Once grounded, Keegan applies a leg lock to try and wear the limb down.

But Maritza Diaz has too much fight in her to quit now. She breaks that hold by grabbing the rope, and gains the upper hand with a clothesline from one of her muscular arms. Keegan got took by surprise with that one, and a few more basic moves keep Maritza ahead. A sequence of hip tosses and arm drag takedowns have Hightower rattled, before Diaz goes high impact with a hangman’s neckbreaker! But Keegan kicks out at two.

Keegan got back into the match after countering a back body drop with a DDT, and he went right back to the legs. A spinning knee smash and some elbow drops found their mark. The kneebreaker did the job. But again Diaz reaches the rope to break up the submission hold that follows.

Keegan went for a pin fall after a bulldog, but he also only got a two count. With Anita cheering him on from outside, Hightower pressed the advantage further by following up with a reverse suplex and a lionsault. But still can only get a two count.

Diaz found a way back into the match after blocking an avalanche attack with a big boot to the face! She follows up with an inverted powerslam, driving Keegan into the mat as she covers – but Anita climbs up onto the apron to distract the referee! Maritza doesn’t take too kindly to this and gets up in Anita’s face; the distraction allows Keegan opportunity to recover as he tries to sneak attack Diaz with a superkick – but she dodges the attack, and Keegan hits Anita! Hightower stands there stunned as his girlfriend and valet drops off the apron, but Diaz just scoops him up for another inverted powerslam for the three count!

Winner: Maritza Diaz

[FGA Office]

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall…

"I'M BRINGING SEXY BAAAACK." 

As soon as the beat of “Sexy Back” by Justin Timberlake hits, smoke smoothly pours up from the entrance ramp, masking the actual entrance impossible to see. Prince MacRear emerges from the smoke mid-sequence, a smug grin on his demeanor and jerking his hips. With a look on his face that can only mean he’s clearly enthused with himself, he does a twirl before continuing down to the ring. MacRear takes turns shouting at the sky, yelling at fans, and twerking his backside at every chance he gets while taking selfies with his iPhone.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, from Los Angeles, California, weighing in at 191 pounds … PRINCE MACREAR!

As he reaches the ring, MacRear sprawls across the apron and poses, almost model like, soaking the attention from the crowd. MacRear waves the fans off and rolls toward the middle of the ring. He takes one more selfie, sets his phone down on the canvas, and in a swift, exaggerated manner, takes off his robe.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Fayetteville, Georgia … PEACHES!

"Shit Shots Count" by The Drive By Truckers begins playing as Peaches bursts through the curtain with her arms outstretched to each side. She spins around as she slowly moves down the aisle, soaking in the crowd's cheers before picking up the pace. As Peaches climbs up the ring steps she removes her plaid shirt, tossing it to a fan in the audience, before finally vaulting over the top rope as she waits for the match to start.

Geoff Penzer: Prince MacRear had some harsh words for his opponent earlier this week, but after coming off the huge win for the Carolinas Cup against Aria Banks a few weeks ago, you could expect his confidence to be high. Especially when his opponent has yet to pick up a win here in LDFC. Could tonight be the night for Peaches? We’ll find out soon enough.

The bell sounds to start the match as both competitors circle the ring for a few moments; the fans here in Greensboro are cheering “Lets Go Peaches!” as she moves in close for the collar and elbow tie-up … but MacRear back pedals and leans through the ropes, yelling for the nasty to leave him alone.

Geoff Penzer: An unorthodox start, perhaps Prince MacRear is flashbacking to his catfish incident.

The referee goes over to check on MacRear, asking him if he wants to continue. The only audible word he speaks is “nasty!” in reference to his opponent, before Peaches finally yells out that she “don’t have the damn clap!”. At that moment Peaches grabs MacRear from out the ropes and nails him with a couple of forearm shots, much to the delight of the fans! Peaches has her opponent backed against the ropes as she continues firing off the forearm shots, before finally going for the Irish whip. But MacRear reverses! Peaches is sent across the ring but she returns with a running butt bump!

MacRear hits the mat, a look of disgust on his face as Peaches drags him back to his feet and promptly body slams in the dead center of the ring. She hits the ropes again and comes back with a seated senton, landing butt first across her opponent’s chest as the referee drops to make the count.

ONE!
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MacRear kicks out!

Both competitors scramble back to their feet as MacRear connects with a boot to the midsection. A few clubbing blows to the back find their mark before he grabs Peaches by the waist band and hair, and he tosses her out through the ropes, all the way to the outside. The crowd booing him as Prince MacRear takes a moment to recompose himself, all the while keeping an eye on Peaches on the outside. As she begins to stand back up, MacRear charges with a baseball slide, sending her back into the guard rail…

Geoff Penzer: Where did he get that phone from?

MacRear poses on the apron, taking a couple of selfies on a phone he somehow acquired before returning his attention back to the match at hand. He slams Peaches face first into the apron and rolls her back into the ring before following her in, stomping at her back to stop Peaches from standing back up. A snap suplex follows, and MacRear floats over into a mounted position as he delivers a couple hard right hands to the face.

He drags his opponent back to her feet again, this time whipping Peaches towards the corner. MacRear follows her in with a running European uppercut, causing Peaches to stagger out of the corner. He quickly gets back up, however, and promptly lifts her up for a brainbuster in the center of the ring. MacRear hooks a leg as he covers.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Peaches kicks out!

Prince MacRear looks towards the official, but the referee holds up two fingers, which the Sultan of Selfies begrudgingly accepts. He drags Peaches back to her feet by the hair, drawing a jeer from the crowd, before whipping her towards the corner again. MacRear charges in after her, but Peaches gets a boot up to the face!

Geoff Penzer: Peaches finding a way back into this match! What can she do from here?

Peaches props herself up onto the middle rope as her opponent staggers back a few steps; she then leaps off with a crossbody block – but MacRear counters in mid air with a powerslam! And the cover!

ONE!
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TWO!
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Peaches kicks out.

Undeterred, MacRear drags his opponent up again to perform a snapmare, before delivering a dropkick to the back of the head. Peaches yells out in pain, but she’s silenced as MacRear applies a rear chinlock. He has it wrenched in tight, but Peaches still somehow manages to fight her way back to her knees. She shoots off a couple of elbows to the midsection to try and weaken her opponent’s grip. And she does so, just enough to push MacRear away and against the ropes. He rebounds off them, and gets caught by a dropkick!

The crowd pop as MacRear hits the mat, and both competitors scramble back to their feet. Wearily, Peaches leaps up and catches her opponent with another dropkick! MacRear rolls towards the ropes, using them to pick himself up before he charges in again, only to get caught by a moonsault side slam!

Geoff Penzer: Prince MacRear has controlled the majority of this match, but he’s suddenly found himself on the backfoot as Peaches is feeling that second wind.

Peaches moves towards the corner, propping herself up on the middle rope again – but she’s taken too long! MacRear is back on his feet as he comes flying in with a forearm strike to the face. He rears back to swing again, but Peaches counters with a boot to the face. Then another. She grabs MacRear with a facelock and leaps, driving him head first into the canvas with a tornado DDT! And a cover by Peaches!

ONE!
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TWO!
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MacRear kicks out!

He rolls towards the ropes, using them to pick himself back up. But Peaches is waiting for him, scooping MacRear up onto her shoulders before delivering the Samoan Driver! The crowd pop loudly as Peaches hits one of her finishers - but before she can capitalize, Prince MacRear rolls out of the ring, to escape the sudden onslaught. A chorus of boos from the fans as MacRear stands back up on the outside of the ring, but Peaches moves towards the corner again. She climbs up top and waits for her opponent to turn around before she flies through the air with a diving cross body block!

Geoff Penzer: Peaches goes airborne, and now both competitors are down on the outside. Hopefully this one doesn’t end with a count out.

The referee stands inside the ring, looking down at the pile of bodies as he starts the count.

ONE!


TWO!


THREE!


FOUR!


FIVE!

Peaches begins to stir, using the apron to pull herself up as MacRear does something similar using the guard rail.

SIX!

But MacRear lunges forward, driving his opponent back first into the ring apron! He rolls her back into the ring and follows her in as the count out stops. Both competitors move back to their feet again as Peaches lands a forearm shot to the face. But MacRear punches her right back. Another forearm shot by Peaches. And MacRear goes South with a boot to the gut, followed by a leg snap DDT! Neither competitor gets back up quickly, but it’s MacRear who moves first as he stands up moments before Peaches does so. He connects with a dropkick, sending Peaches stumbling back into the corner, where she collapses into a seated position. He knows the opportunity when he sees it; MacRear heads to the opposite corner and charges in!

Geoff Penzer: BOOTY BOOTY BOOTY ROCKIN’ EVERYWHERE!

Peaches’ head snaps back after the butt bump, but MacRear drags her back to her feet by the wrist and hoists her up onto his shoulders. The Damaged Goods connects! Peaches slumps to the mat as MacRear hooks a leg.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!!!

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, PRINCE MACREAR!

The referee helps Prince MacRear back to his feet and raises his arm in victory as the crowd continue booing him. He steps over the unconscious Peaches on his way out of the ring, before heading backstage.

[ FADE OUT ]

[FGA Office]

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.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Tucson, Arizona! Weighing in at 131 pounds! She is “PEACEMAKER” ECHO RIGBY!

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: Echo Rigby may be the peacemaker, but there certainly wasn't any peace between her, Miles Bishop and his manager, Malcolm Pope, two weeks ago on Pride. We’ll have to be on the lookout and see if those two make their presence felt in this one. This is a huge opportunity for Rigby. The last thing she needs is yet another distraction at ringside besides Maurice Graham.

“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.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, being accompanied to the ring by Maurice Graham! Weighing in at 230 pounds! He is “TERRIFIC” TERRANCE TILLMAN!

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.

Geoff Penzer: Tillman is all smiles and why wouldn’t he be? The self-proclaimed Pride of LDFC scored a huge win over the Old North Champion in non-title action. Tillman continues to prove that he’s one of the best here in LDFC. The man is naturally gifted. He’s arguably the most athletic man here in LDFC. But he’s yet to reach the APEX.

The match starts with Tillman and Echo locking up. Tillman quickly gains the advantage with a side headlock. Echo tries to shove Tillman off of her, but it doesn’t work. So she moves Tillman back into the ropes before trying to shove him off of her. But again, it doesn’t work as Tillman drops down to a knee. He can be seen smirking towards the crowd while shaking his head. The ref gets down and asks Echo if she wants to give up. But she refuses. After slowly getting back to her feet, Echo is able to slip out and reverse into a hammerlock. But the hold doesn’t stay on for long as Tillman reaches back with his free arm, grabs Echo and throws her down in front of him with a snapmare. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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Echo kicks out.

Tillman picks up Echo and places her in another side headlock. This time, Echo is able to escape much quicker as she slips out and reverses into a hammerlock. She then spins Tillman towards her before applying a side headlock of her own. The hold doesn’t stay on for long though as Tillman shoves her off of him and into the ropes. When Echo returns, Tillman knocks her down with a standing shoulder block. He then runs into a set of ropes. When he returns, Echo turns over into a prone position. So Tillman hops over her before running into the far ropes. When Tillman returns, the crowd cheers as Echo springs to her feet and knocks him down with a dropkick. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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Tillman kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: Both competitors have a nearfall thus far. They know just how dangerous the other can be and are looking for the pin early.

Echo picks up Tillman and goes for an irish whip. But Tillman reverses, sending Echo into the ropes. When Echo comes back, Tillman leapfrogs over her. After Echo runs into the far ropes and comes back, Tillman (without turning around) leapfrogs over her again. Once Echo hits the ropes and comes back, Tillman knocks her down with a dropsault. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Echo kicks out.

Geoff Penzer: What an athletic display there by Tillman!

Tillman picks up Echo, moves her into the corner and delivers a knife edge chop. He then takes Echo and whips her into the opposite corner. Tillman then runs across the ring and goes for a corner splash. But Echo sees it coming and moves out of the way. But instead of crashing into the turnbuckles, Tillman lands on the middle ropes. When Echo turns around, Tillman jumps up onto the top ropes before knocking her down with the Terry-sault. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Echo gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Echo nearly got pinned there. That’s why you can never take your eyes off of Triple T.

Tillman picks up Echo, runs and tosses her through the ropes and to the floor. Maurice Graham motions over towards her. But as soon as the ref points at him, Graham keeps his hands up and takes a few steps back. Back in the ring, Tillman crouches down while he waits for Echo to get back up. As Echo begins to get back to a vertical pace, Tillman takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he goes for a baseball slide. But Echo side steps and slides back into the ring. Tillman then turns around and leaps up onto the apron. But he gets caught with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. After Tillman drops down to the floor, Echo takes off into the far ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she hurls herself over the top rope and connects with a somersault plancha.

Geoff Penzer: The crowd comes alive as Echo just knocked Tillman down with that dive to the outside!

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

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Echo picks up Tillman, moves him into the corner and delivers three knife edge chops. She then takes Tillman and goes for an irish whip. But Tillman reverses, sending her into the corner. Tillman runs across the ring and into the corner. But he gets caught by a back elbow to the face. As Tillman stumbles back, Echo runs out of the corner to attack. But Tillman is quick to knock her down with a spinning heel kick. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Echo gets her shoulder up.

Tillman picks up Echo and whips her into the ropes. When she comes back, Tillman throws out a kick to the midsection. After Echo catches his foot, Tillman counters with a dragonwhip kick. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Echo gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Another quick counter there by Tillman. Say what you want about his attitude as of late, but the man is so smooth with it inside the ring.

Tillman picks up Echo and whips her into the corner. After running across the ring and delivering a running back elbow, he turns and follows up with a CCS Enzuigiri. While Echo is dazed, Tillman moves her to the side, hoists her up onto the middle ropes, grabs her and delivers a Tornado DDT. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Echo gets her shoulder up.

Tillman picks up Echo and whips her into the ropes. When Echo returns, Tillman throws out the Chic Checka. But Echo catches his foot. She then spins Tillman away from her. But Tillman uses the momentum to turn and knock Echo down with a discus elbow smash. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Echo gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Echo gets her should up juuuust in the nick of time. But man, was that close. Like I said before, you always have to keep your eyes on Tillman. Just when you think you’ve got him, here he comes with a counter from out of nowhere.

Tillman picks up Echo and delivers a kick to the midsection. While Echo is doubled over, Tillman takes off into the ropes. When he returns, he jumps up and goes for the Terrific Kick. But Echo moves out of the way and counters with a lungblower. The crowd cheers as she makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Good counter there by Echo. It didn’t get the three count, but it stopped Tillman’s momentum.

Echo picks up Tillman and goes for an irish whip. But Tillman reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Echo comes back, Tillman goes for a back body drop. But Echo slips down from behind, jumps up onto his shoulders and spikes him with an inverted frankensteiner. She turns Tillman over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos as Tillman gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Tillman landed right on his head after that reverse frankensteiner. But somehow, he had the wherewithal to get his shoulder up.

Echo picks up Tillman, places him in a headlock and goes for a bulldog. But Tillman shoves her off of him and into the ropes. When Echo returns, Tillman throws out a clothesline. But Echo ducks and runs into the far ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she takes Tillman down with an STO. After dragging him into position, Echo heads into the corner and climbs the turnbuckles. When she reaches the top, she goes for the moonsault leg drop. But Tillman rolls out of the way.

Geoff Penzer: Oh no!

The crowd boos as Echo crashes onto the canvas. As Echo struggles to get back to a vertical base, the crowd boos as Tillman runs over and knocks her down with the Terrific Kick. He pulls Echo over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Echo gets her shoulder up.

Tillman picks up Echo and whips her hard into the corner. As Echo staggers out of the corner, Tillman leaps up and brings her down with Pride Before the Fall. After dragging Echo into position, Tillman steps out onto the apron and scales to the top turnbuckle. He flips off and goes for the Skyfall. But Echo rolls out of the way.

Geoff Penzer: He missed!

The crowd erupts with cheers as Tillman crashes onto the canvas. On the outside, Graham can be seen shouting words of encouragement before pounding on the apron. After curling up, Tillman slowly rolls himself towards the center of the ring. He then pushes himself up on all fours. As Tillman is in the process of trying to return to a vertical base, the crowd cheers as Echo runs from out of the corner and delivers a Busaiku Knee Kick to the side of the head. She then steps out onto the apron before climbing up to the top turnbuckle. Once Tillman returns to his feet and turns around, the crowd cheers as Echo leaps off the top turnbuckle and brings him down with a diving neckbreaker. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“End of the Line” plays throughout the venue to cheers from the crowd.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, ECHO RIGBY!

The crowd continues to cheer as Echo gets her arm raised.

Geoff Penzer: Talk about a huge win right there. Echo Rigby picks up a hard fought victory. Not just a hard fought victory, but arguably the biggest of her career as she was able to get the one, two, three over “Terrific” Terrence Tillman!

[FGA Office]

PREVIOUSLY RECORDED

The cameras open up to Jensen Banks and Jessie Pederson, both sitting on tall chairs and dressed in street clothes as they face each other in the interview room. The Old North championship is slung over Jensen’s right shoulder as he shifts in the seat, no emotion on his face while Jessie smiles at him.

Jessie Pederson: Alright, Jensen. You know how these interviews go.

Jensen Banks: Yes, I do, Jessie.

Jessie Pederson: Alright then. Let's get started. First things first, how are you feeling? The last time we saw you in an LDFC ring, you came up short against-

Jensen begins chuckling, forcing Jessie to stop and shoot him a confused look.

Jessie Pederson: I'm sorry, what's so funny?

Jensen Banks: What's funny is that you think Terry actually beat me by himself. No, no. He can't beat me one on one and he knows it. That's why he needed that no neck fuck that he calls a brother out there. That's why he couldn't put me away until that moron got involved. And then, he has the fucking audacity to discredit me and my title. He has the audacity to pretend as if he didn't just go through one of the toughest matches of his life. HE HAS THE FUCKING GALL TO VERBALLY SHIT ON MY CHAMPIONSHIP!

Banks now shifts in his seat, clearly angered.

Jensen Banks: But see, I wouldn't be annoyed by that if he could actually beat me cleanly. But he can't because he is not good enough to beat me without a distraction. Without help. He is not good enough to go toe to toe with me by his damn self. And I would say give me one more crack at him, but he wouldn't leave Maurice behind because he has no spine. He has nothing swinging between his legs. And he doesn't have the talent to face me and beat me all by himself. Terry Tillman isn't terrific. He's a mediocre wrestler who will never amount to what someone like me, like Nest, like Emily Carter will.

Banks leans back in his seat.

Jensen Banks: Terry Tillman has basically reached his ceiling as a wrestler and that's probably why he needs his big brother to come out and help him against a better wrestler, like me. But he'll still run his mouth like he's actually worth a damn when nobody actually gives a fuck anymore. He had his chance to hold gold and unlike me, he couldn't get it done on the first try. Hell, he failed the second time too. End of the day, I'm a champion and he's a fucking chump whose career highlight is probably going to be this cheap ass win he got over me. So fuck him and his goofy looking brother and that ugly ass blond dye job he and his brother gave each other.

Jessie seems almost stunned to silence, which allows Jensen to continue.

Jensen Banks: But you see, Terry is just a part of a big problem here at Lion’s Den. Left and right you'll see all of these wrestlers who always have to cheat against the best in this place. Half my damn losses have been because they've had to take advantage of a distraction or use a low blow or hold on to the fucking ropes. These guys are a part of the problem because they're just not good enough to win with their own hands and with their own goddamn skill. But you know who is good enough to win without having to go to those lows because they are damn good in that ring? Nest. Emily. Becky. Mason. And a couple more, myself included. None of us have to go to the cheap route because none of us are cowards. Because we will wrestle a damn match cleanly all the way to the end, win or lose. Because we are all DAMN GOOD at what we do. And that right there separates the legit competitors from those that will always have those fucking asterisks next to their records.

Banks lets out a deep sigh, finally cooling off.

Jensen Banks: Does that answer your first question about how I feel?

Jessie nods slowly.

Jessie Pederson: Yeaaah. You know what? I was going to try and ask a little more about that, but you kinda covered a lot of the bases. So let me just get to the main reason why we’re here. Josh Mitchell takes on Shintaro Majima to determine the #1 contender to your title. Do you have any preference as to who you want to defend this title against?

Jensen shakes his head.

Jensen Banks: After beating Mylo Danvers I said that anyone can come and get a shot, so personally, I don't care who wins. They both can get a shot at the same damn time for all I care.

Jessie Pederson: I'm gonna need a little more than that, Jensen...

Banks lets out another sigh.

Jensen Banks: I think they both got their pros and they both got their cons. Unfortunately, their cons seem to overtake their pros. Josh Mitchell is already better on one leg than some of the other people here are on two. That’s a pro. He’s actually got the skill to go toe-to-toe with a lot of people. That’s a pro. He actually wrestles his matches all by himself and doesn’t need backup. That’s a pro. But the one con that he has? It’s his lack of confidence. Dude has done pretty great in this place already but he just doesn’t seem to have the confidence someone like him should have. And that right there is going to hinder him, because someone like me? I’m confident in my wrestling. I’m confident in my ability between those ropes. And that right there will separate myself and Josh if we fight for this title.

The Old North champion motions to his title.

JENSEN BANKS: On the other side, we got Shintaro Majima. He’s damn good in the ring. Probably can get better. That’s a pro. He’s very good at executing a plan when he gets going inside of the ring. That’s a pro. And he doesn’t give a single damn about the person standing across the ring from him, willing to do as much damage as possible. That is also a pro. But he’s got his cons too. He played second fiddle to a bitch who got two shots at the Apex title and failed both times. That’s a con. He already tried to win this title before against Skylar Cloud and failed to do what I did real quick. That’s a con. Both these guys got their pros and their cons, so that’s why I don’t care who becomes the #1 contender. Either way, I’m getting a fight for this title and that’s all I can ask for. But in the end?

Jensen removes the title off of his shoulder and flashes it towards Jessie.

Jensen Banks: I’m going to be the one standing tall, raising this title high in the air, continuing to prove that I deserve to hold this. And that is all I have to say on that matter.

Banks then pulls the mic off around the collar of his t-shirt and gets up before he walks out, leaving Jessie to watch as he leaves before she mutters a “thank you” as we fade out.

[FGA Office]

As Ain't Dead Yet begins to play through the PA, the lights focused on the entranceway change colour with each power chord, until Josh pushes his way through the black curtain, the lights turning white as he does so, wearing a sleeveless hoodie, hood up, in addition to his ring gear. He pauses a moment in the entranceway, spreading his arms wide, before slowly setting off to the ring. He tries to focus on the ring as he walks, but can't resist a few sly glances to the crowd, a smile playing across his lips as he does do.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is a Number One Contender’s Match for the Old North Championship! Introducing first, from McLeansville, North Carolina! Weighing in at 190 pounds… JOSH MITCHELL!

As he reaches the apron, he rolls into the ring under the bottom rope, before getting to his feet, and jerks his head back, displacing the hood from his head. before smiling and nodding to the crowd. He then makes his way to his corner, removing his hoodie before leaning against the ringpost, testing his weight on his prosthetic limb, checking it for fit and comfort.

Geoff Penzer: Josh Mitchell has the opportunity of a lifetime as he’s one step away from an Old North Championship Match. We’ve all seen the way Mitchell has progressed over the last several months. How can you not be proud of the strides that this young man has made? He’s Carolina’s own, so you know that getting a match for the Old North Championship would mean more to him than arguably anyone else on this roster. However, he’s got a tough task tonight in the form of a man that’s been just as hot as he’s been over these last several months.

The arena lights dim as "Rhino Jockey" begins to play, before gold and reddish-orange lights slowly illuminate the entranceway. As the primal buzz of the bassline starts to build, the lights begin to flicker in sync with it, as the bassline grows and grows in its intensity until Shintaro Majima appears at the top of the ramp and walks towards the ring without a moment's hesitation.

Melanie Sierra: His opponent, from Gifu, Japan! Weighing in at 242 pounds! He is “THE STRONG STYLE SAVIOR” … SHINTARO MAJIMA!

Majima reaches ringside and climbs the ring steps, stepping through the ropes into the ring, where he loosens his ring robe and standing in the nearest corner before removing his dark sunglasses and locking eyes with his opponent.

Geoff Penzer: Shintaro Majima has had two chances at a championship thus far in LDFC. Both times, he’s come up short. Despite being a well-traveled talent, Majima began to be labeled a “failure.” However, no one has uttered that word in quite some time as The Strong Style Savior has been on a surge the last several months. He now finds himself at the doorstep of a championship match. All he has to do is defeat Josh Mitchell. But Mitchell has proven than beating him is much easier said than done.

The match starts with both men circling the ring before locking up. After jockeying for position, Mitchell places Majima in a side headlock. Majima goes to shove Mitchell off of him. But he’s a step slow as Mitchell is able to throw him down to the mat with a side headlock takeover. After shifting around on the mat, Majima reverses into a headscissors. The ref then goes over to Mitchell and asks him if he wants to give up. But the Carolina native refuses to quit. After shifting around on the mat and turning over on his left knee, Mitchell pushes down on Majima’s thigh. After Mitchell slowly slips out and escapes the headscissors, he lunges over and applies a grounded side headlock on Majima.

The ref heads back over to Majima and asks if he wants to give up. But Majima refuses to quit. He slowly begins to battle his way back to his feet. Once Majima’s returned to a vertical base, he begins to nail Mitchell with forearms to the side of the body before shoving him into the ropes. When Mitchell returns, Majima knocks him down with a standing shoulder block, which elicits some boos from the crowd. He then runs into the ropes. When Majima returns, Mitchell turns over into a prone position. So Majima hops over him before running into the far ropes. When Majima comes back, Mitchell returns to a vertical base before throwing him down with a high arching hip toss. When Majima gets back to his feet, the crowd cheers as Mitchell throws him down with an arm drag. Majima returns to his feet. But Mitchell is quick to return him to the mat with another arm drag. Mitchell then transitions into an armbar. The ref asks Majima if he wants to give up. But he refuses.

Geoff Penzer: Josh Mitchell is more than holding his own in there against Shintaro Majima. He’s doing what he needs to do and that’s keeping ShiMa grounded. If Majima is able to stay free and loose, then he can hit Mitchell with his array of strikes.

Majima slowly turns over onto his knees before getting back to his feet. With his free hand, he grabs onto Mitchell and moves him into the corner. From there, the ref gives both men until the count of five to break it up. At the count of four, both men make a clean break. Majima is the first to strike as he delivers a blistering knife edge chop. Mitchell guards his chest before delivering a knife edge chop of his own. Majima turns around before coming back and ripping another blistering knife edge chop. Mitchell cringes from the blow before coming back with a chop of his own. Majima fires back with another knife edge chop. Mitchell answers back with another chop of his own. Majima delivers another knife edge chop. Mitchell then chops back with another chop of his own. The two men then begin to trade chops back and forth at a rapid pace while the crowd cheers them on.

Geoff Penzer: Look at Mitchell go! He’s not backing down from The Strong Style Savior!

The chops go back and forth until both men eventually slow down and tire out. Mitchell leans back in the corner while Majima leans forward with his palms on his knees. He then stands back up and delivers a chop.

Crowd: BOO!

Mitchell answers right back with a chop of his own.

Crowd: YES!

Majima with another chop.

Crowd: BOO!

Mitchell with another chop.

Crowd: YES!

Majima with yet another chop.

Crowd: BOO!

Mitchell with yet another chop.

Crowd: YES!

Majima’s chops.

Crowd: BOO!

Mitchell chops.

Crowd: YES!

Majima chops yet.

Crowd: BOO!

Mitchell chops yet.

Crowd: YES!

Majima motions for a chop, but Mitchell beats him to the punch.

Crowd: YES!

Mitchell with another chop... and another… and another… and another… and an-NO! Majima cuts off Mitchell and sends him slumping down in the corner with a series of Mongolian chops. While Mitchell is seated in the corner, Majima quickly steps back towards the center of the ring before running forward and delivering a running knee to the face.

Geoff Penzer: Noshinto!

The crowd boos as Majima drags Mitchell from out of the corner and makes the cover.

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

Majima pulls up Mitchell, throws him down with a snapmare and follows up with a stiff kick to the back that echoes through the venue. Majima sizes up Mitchell before nailing him with another stiff kick. While Mitchell sits with his back arched, Mitchell runs into the ropes. When Majima returns, he goes for a hard kick to the face. But Mitchell leans back to avoid the move, then quickly sits up and catches Majima in a school boy roll-up.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Majima kicks out.

After both men return to a vertical base, Majima doubles Mitchell over with a knee to the midsection. He then grabs him by the back of the neck, runs and tosses him through the ropes and to the floor. As Mitchell begins to slowly get back to a vertical base, Majima takes off into the ropes. When Majima comes back, Majima leaps through the ropes and goes for an elbow suicida. But Mitchell jumps up and perfectly times a jumping DDT to counter the move. The crowd erupts with cheers at the counter.

Geoff Penzer: What a counter that was by Josh Mitchell! You couldn’t have timed that any better!

Mitchell picks up Majima and rolls him back into the ring. Mitchell then rolls himself back in and makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos as Majima gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Mitchell picks up Majima and whips him into the ropes. When Majima returns, Mitchell grabs him, jumps up and delivers a sitout side slam… and then transitions into an arm trap triangle.

Geoff Penzer: Mitchell with the submission!

The ref asks Majima if he wants to give up. When Majima refuses to quit, Mitchell pushes forward to increase the pressure of the hold.

Geoff Penzer: Mitchell wants that Old North Championship match! It’s so close he can almost taste it!

Mitchell is seen gritting his teeth as he tries his hardest to make Majima tap out. But The Strong Style Savior is trying equally as hard to resist. The ref asks Majima if he wants to give up. But again, he refuses to quit. After shifting around on the canvas, Majima slowly battles his way back to his feet while still locked in the hold. But he doesn’t stay on his feet for long. The crowd cheers as Mitchell combines the previous two moves and delivers an arm trap triangle sitout side slam.

Geoff Penzer: Down goes ShiMa!

The ref asks Majima if he wants to give up. When he refuses, Mitchell increases the pressure of the hold.

Geoff Penzer: How much more of this can Majima take?

Majima can be heard groaning in pain from the submission. But he still refuses to give up. Majima then begins to use his free arm to help scoot him over.

Geoff Penzer: Majima’s now trying to make his way to the ropes.

Mitchell shakes his head while keeping the hold locked on a tight as he can. But Majima is determined to get out of this hold. He continues to slowly scoot himself to the side. Majima then takes his right leg, reaches out … and place sit on the bottom rope. The ref gives Mitchell until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

Mitchell breaks the hold.

Mitchell picks up Majima and hooks both of his arms. But before Mitchell can deliver a double underhook sitout facebuster, Majima counters with a back body drop. As Mitchell is in the process of returning to a vertical base, Majima throws out a roundhouse kick. But Mitchell ducks and counters with a falling inverted DDT. The crowd cheers as he makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos as Majima gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Close call there for ShiMa!

Mitchell picks up Majima, only to bring him back down with a swinging neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

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

Mitchell takes Majima and goes for an irish whip. But Majima reverses, sending Mitchell into the ropes. When Mitchell returns, Majima hoists him up before throwing him down with a uranage. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

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

Geoff Penzer: Majima didn’t get the pin. But he brought Mitchell’s momentum to a screeching halt.

Majima picks up Mitchell and whips him into the ropes. When Mitchell returns, Majima turns him inside out with a running forearm smash. He makes the cover.

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

Mitchell gets his shoulder up.

Majima heads out onto the apron and begins waving up Mitchell. Once Mitchell returns to his feet and turns around, Majima knocks him down with a slingshot shoulder block. He makes the cover.

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

Majima picks up Mitchell and lifts him up for a powerbomb. But once Mitchell is on Majima’s shoulders, he begins nailing Majima with rapid punches to the head. Mitchell then slips down in front of Majima. But once Mitchell lands on his left foot and his prosthesis, he stumbles back a few steps. Once he regains his balance, Mitchell heads back over and throws out a discus elbow smash. But Majima ducks, grabs him from behind and delivers a back suplex side slam. He makes the cover.

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

Geoff Penzer: Both of these men have brought their A Game today. They know what’s on the line. They know that chances like these don’t come everyday. So they’re pushing as hard as they can. But who will come out ahead?

Majima picks up Mitchell, delivers a flurry of elbow smashes to the face and goes to follow up with a roundhouse kick. But Mitchell ducks and counters with an inverted headlock backbreaker. Mitchell then sits up Majima and locks him in a Dragon Sleeper.

Geoff Penzer: There it is! The Dragon Sleeper!

The ref asks Majima if he wants to give up. But he refuses. He then reaches up with his right hand, grabs Mitchell by the back of the neck with his free arm and pulls him forward. From there, Majima lifts his right leg up and nails Mitchell with knees to the face until Mitchell breaks the hold.

Geoff Penzer: Majima’s glad to have escaped that hold.

After both men slowly return to a vertical base, Majima nails Mitchell with a knife edge chop. Mitchell returns the favor with a chop of his own. Majima nails Mitchell with another chop. Mitchell answers back with a chop of his own. Majima then delivers another chop. Mitchell goes to answer, but Majima cuts him off with another chop. Mitchell goes to answer back but again, Majima cuts him off with another chop. Majima then rattles off another chop… and another… and an-NO! Mitchell cuts him off with the Crimson Elbow. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos as Majima gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: We’ve seen Mitchell use that move to put away many opponents. But it didn’t get the three count tonight. At least not yet. There’s still plenty of action left in this one.

Mitchell picks up Majima and whips him into the ropes. When Majima returns, Mitchell knocks him down with a single leg dropkick. He then picks up Majima and goes for the Mitchell-noku Driver. But Majima is able to slip down from behind, hook Mitchell and deliver a half and half suplex.

Geoff Penzer: GOJU50!

Majima picks up Mitchell, lifts him up and delivers a release powerbomb. The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Mitchell gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: There’s still life left in this young man!

Majima picks up Mitchell and whips him into the corner. After lining him up, Majima runs across the ring and connects with a yakuza kick. After leading a dazed Mitchell from out of the corner, Majima turns him around. He then hooks Mitchell arms from behind and delivers a release tiger suplex that leaves Mitchell folded up on the canvas. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd erupts with cheers as Mitchell gets his shoulder up.

Majima picks up Mitchell, lifts him up and plants him with the Emerald Flowsion.

Geoff Penzer: Kurimuzon Taki!

The crowd boos as Majima makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!

“Rhino Jockey” plays throughout the venue as the crowd begins to boo.

Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, SHINTARO MAJIMA!

Majima gets his arm raised while the crowd continues to boo.

Geoff Penzer: What a match that was. Both of these men brought it here tonight. Unfortunately for Carolina’s own, he will not be challenging for the Old North Championship. That distinction now belongs to Shintaro Majima, who is now the #1 contender for Jensen Banks’ Old North Championship!

[FGA Office]

Geoff Penzer: On Sunday, September 4, FGA makes its debut in the Aloha State at First Wave, live and only on AxxessNet! Tons of matches have already been announced! Annie Dupree will be defending her Mid-Atlantic Legacy Championship against Salem Cartier! In a special attraction tag team match, the team of The Turks, Andreas Lasiewicz and Sally Talfourd, will be taking on the team of TROUBLE, Wulf Erikksen and Steve Lenton! In the leadup to this event, you were told than LDFC would also be represented on the event. Well tonight, I have a major announcement. This LDFC match than I’m about to announce is a match that clearly couldn’t be contained inside the LDFC facility. With the amount of hatred these two men have for one another, I doubt that even the mainland could contain this bout. But at First Wave, these two LDFC mainstays will go at it one more time.

That’s right, Nest, the reigning APEX Champion, will go one on one with “Terrific” Terrence Tillman in this highly anticipated grudge match! If their last encounter at the facility was a sign of things to come, only one of these men may be coming back to the mainland!

[FGA Office]

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.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, representing Brute Camp! From Atlanta, Georgia! She weighs in at 121 pounds… BECKY!

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: Becky and her partner have been subjected to The Crimson Baroness, Keegan Hightower and even Prince MacRear’s underhanded tactics for several months now. Tonight, it’s not just about revenge. But it’s not about coming one step closer to get those APEX Tag Team Titles back, the titles that were stolen from them back at Bound by Honor.

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 immediately begin booing and jeering, letting The Baroness know exactly what they think of her. She begins her slow walk to the ring, shrugging off the hatred with a sense of nonchalance.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania! Weighing in at 124 pounds! She is one half of the reigning APEX Tag Team Champions… 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.

The match starts with Becky running across the ring and delivering a dropkick, which sends TCB through the ropes and to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Becky’s wasting little time going right after the Baroness!

As TCB gets up on the outside, Becky takes off into the far ropes. When she comes back, she leaps through the ropes and knocks TCB down with an elbow suicida. After picking TCB up off the canvas, Becky slams her face-first onto the apron before pushing her back into the ring. Becky then gets up on the apron and waits for TCB. Once TCB returns to her feet and turns around, Becky doubles her over with a shoulder thrust through the ropes before delivering a slingshot DDT. She makes the cover.

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

Becky picks up TCB, marches into the corner and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning TCB around, Becky pummels her down in the corner with a flurry of right hands to the face. Becky reaches down, pulls TCB back up and sends her slumping down with another flurry of right hand. Becky reaches down, pulls TCB and goes back to punching her in the face. The ref then steps in and moves Becky back to TCB can have a chance to recover. But Becky has zero sympathy for TCB. She then moves the ref to the side and marches back into the corner. She goes to attack TCB. But TCB beats her to the punch and rakes her across the eyes.

Geoff Penzer: Classic Baroness.

After slamming Becky face-first into the top turnbuckle, TCB turns Becky around and delivers a series of shoot kicks to the chest. She then takes Becky and whips her into the opposite corner. TCB then runs across the ring and connects with a hard clothesline. She then takes Becky by the arm, wrenches it, climbs up the turnbuckles and begins to walk across the top rope. At the halfway point, TCB leaps off and knocks Becky down with a clubbing strike to the back of the beck.

Becky pushes herself up on all fours. But she doesn't stay there for long as TCB nails her with a punt kick to the ribs, which knocks her over onto her back. As Becky tries to turn over to her left, TCB nails her with a hard kick to the back. Becky then pushes herself up on all fours. But another punt kick to the ribs knocks her over onto her back. TCB then begins to stomps away on Becky before choking her with her foot. She pulls down on the top rope as the ref gives her until the count of five to release the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

TCB reluctantly breaks the choke. She reaches down, picks up Becky and tosses her through the ropes and to the floor. As Becky slowly pulls herself up using the edge of the apron, TCB runs parallel to the ropes. When she comes back, the crowd boos as she flips over the top rope and knocks Becky down with a Fosbury Flop.

Geoff Penzer: Becky started this match out on fire. But all the Baroness needed was that one little opening. Since then, this match has been all Baroness.

TCB picks up Becky and whips her hard into the guardrail. She then runs along ringside before knocking Becky over the rail and into the crowd with a savate kick. TCB pulls Becky up and delivers a vertical suplex on the floor. She then picks up Becky and rolls her back in. TCB slides herself back in and makes the cover.

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

TCB picks up Becky and doubles her over with three knee strikes to the midsection. She then heads into the ropes. When TCB returns, she knocks Becky down with a scissors kick to the back of the neck. But instead of going for the cover, TCB mocks Becky and motions for her to get up. As Becky struggles to pick herself up off the canvas, TCB runs into the ropes. When she returns, she knocks Becky back down with another scissors kick. But again, TCB doesn’t go for the cover. Instead, she mocks Becky before turning and taunting the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: It’s say I’m surprised by Baroness’ antics. But she’s never been one to act with grace, now has she?

TCB turns her attention back to Becky and motions for her to get up. As Becky is slowly picking herself up off the canvas, TCB places her in a front facelock before planting her with a Snap DDT. She makes the cover.

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

TCB picks up Becky, wrenches her arm and follows up with a hook kick that knocks her down. While Becky is sprawled out on the canvas, TCB steps through the ropes and begins to climb the turnbuckles. But once she gets one foot on the top turnbuckle, Becky runs over, grabs her and slams her down. The crowd cheers as TCB can be seen arching her back in pain.

Geoff Penzer: All that cockyness came back to bite her in the you-know-what!

Becky can be seen waving up TCB. As TCB turns over and gets up off the canvas, Becky runs over to attack. But TCB catches her with a bicycle knee strike before knocking her down with a spinning backfist. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Becky gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Becky got rocked by those two blows! But she still had the wherewithal to get her shoulder up!

TCB picks up Becky, brings her into the corner and wraps her up in the Tree of Woe. She then chokes Becky with her foot while pulling down on the top rope. The ref gives TCB until the count of five to break the hold.

Ref: ONE… TWO… THREE… FOUR…

TCB reluctantly breaks the choke before marching into the opposite corner. She then runs across the ring, leaps into the air and delivers a hesitation dropkick. After Becky falls down out of the corner, TCB picks her up and sits her down backwards on the top turnbuckle. She then climbs up onto the top rope, lifts up Becky and goes for an avalanche belly to back suplex. But the crowd cheers as Becky shifts her weight in mid air and crashes down on top of TCB.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
TH-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos as TCB gets her shoulder up.

Becky slowly rolls off of TCB. After about five seconds, both wrestlers slowly make their way back up to their feet. TCB throws out a right hand, but Becky blocks and counters with a punch of her own. TCB throws out another punch. But again, Becky blocks and counters with a punch of her own. She then nails TCB with another punch… and another… and another. Becky goes for the knockout blow. But TCB blocks it. She goes to follow up with a spinning backfist. But Becky ducks and takes off into the ropes. When TCB turns around, Becky spines her with a crucifix driver.

Geoff Penzer: Game Over! Will it be game over for the Baroness? Becky makes the cover...

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

The crowd boos as TCB gets her shoulder up.

Becky picks up TCB and goes for an irish whip. But TCB reverses, sending Becky into the opposite corner. TCB runs across the ring and into the corner. But Becky counters with a back elbow to the face. As TCB stumbles back, Becky hoists herself up onto the middle ropes, dives off and delivers a double knee facebreaker. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!

The crowd boos as TCB gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: What a close call that was for the Baroness.

Becky picks up TCB and positions her for a standing shiranui. But TCB shoves Becky off of her and into the ropes. When Becky returns, TCB goes for a back body drop. But Becky slips down from behind and follows up with an O’Connor Roll.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
TCB reaches up, grabs Becky by the back of the tights and pulls her down into the Coquina Clutch.

Geoff Penzer: Oh no! She’s got Becky locked in the choke!

The ref asks Becky if she wants to give up. But she refuses. She tries to turn over to her left, but TCB pulls her back over and locks her legs around Becky’s waist.

Geoff Penzer: Now Becky’s really got nowhere to go! The outcome of this match may be all but a formality now...

TCB squeezes as hard as she can as she tries to choke out Becky.

Geoff Penzer: Becky’s trying to fight through the pain. But she’s got nowhere to go.

The ref checks in with Becky and asks her if she wants to give up. But Becky doesn’t respond. The ref taps her shoulder and tries to get a response. But he doesn’t. So the ref raises Becky’s arm and let’s go. The arm falls to the canvas. The ref takes Becky’s arm, raises it for a second time and lets go. The arm falls to the canvas again.

Geoff Penzer: ...

TCB laughs maniacally as the ref raises Becky’s arm for a third and potential final time. He let’s go. The arm falls… but stops before it hits the canvas. TCB goes from a state of laughter to a state of shock as the crowd erupts with cheers.

Geoff Penzer: Becky’s still in this!

Becky reaches up with her hands and clamps onto TCB’s arms. After slowly prying TCB’s arms from around her neck, Becky turns around in TCB’s guard and begins hammering away with elbows to the face. TCB frantically tries to cover up. But some of the blows still connect. Becky continues to hammer away with wild blows until the bodylock is broken.

Geoff Penzer: Becky’s free!

Becky picks up TCB and whips her into the ropes. When TCB returns, Becky knocks her down with a clothesline. TCB gets back up, but Becky knocks her back down with another clothesline. When TCB returns to her feet, Becky grabs her and whips her into the ropes. When TCB returns, Becky delivers a back body drop.

Geoff Penzer: The Baroness got a ton of height on that one!

After TCB returns to her feet and turns around, Becky runs over and delivers a dropkick that sends her stumbling back into the corner. Becky then heads into the corner, climbs up onto the middle ropes and punches TCB while the crowd counts along.

Ref: ONE, TWO, THREE, FOUR, FIVE, SIX, SEVEN, EIGHT, NINE, TEN!

Becky climbs down, takes TCB and whips her into the opposite corner. She then runs across the ring and nails TCB with a hard European Uppercut. Becky takes her rival and whips her back into the previous corner. She then runs across the ring and connects with a corner yakuza kick that nearly knocks TCB’s head off. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

TCB gets her foot on the bottom rope.

Becky picks up TCB and whips her into the ropes. When TCB returns, Becky throws her down with a belly to belly suplex. She then heads into the corner before hoisting herself up onto the middle ropes. Once TCB gets up and turns around, the crowd cheers as Becky flips off and delivers a Blockbuster.

Becky turns over onto her knees and begins slapping the canvas. The crowd joins in and begins clapping their hands in rhythm with the slaps.

Geoff Penzer: This capacity crowd is solidly behind Becky. They’re hoping to see the Baroness get put away right here.

Becky steps out onto the apron and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. She then takes a deep breath before leaping off and crashing down on top of TCB’s chest with a diving double foot stomp.

Geoff Penzer: Basket Toss!

Becky turns over and makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!

“Bad Blood” plays throughout the venue as the crowd roars with cheers.

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

The crowd continues to cheer as Becky gets her arm raised.

The music fades out as Becky looks up the aisle; there’s a rustling of the curtain when suddenly Anita Handey is seemingly pushed through it and into the aisle way.

Geoff Penzer: There she is. We heard earlier tonight that Becky would get five minutes alone in the ring with Anita if she won this match, and it appears as if that’s what’s going to happen here.

The jeering crowd continue as Anita walks sheepishly down the aisle; Becky is waiting for her, beckoning her forward as the memories of Bound by Honor and At All Costs probably flood back to the forefront of her mind.

Anita climbs up the ring steps, looking around the arena as Becky holds the ropes open for her. But still Handey won’t enter the ring.

Geoff Penzer: Anita looks apprehensive; she doesn’t want to be in that ring with Becky, but maybe she should have thought about that before interfering in those tag team matches.

Anita shakes her head, but Becky just grabs her by the hair and drags her through the ropes and into the ring! The crowd continue cheering as Anita rolls through to her knees; she’s begging and pleading for mercy, but Becky doesn’t appear to be in the mood for mercy. She drags Anita back to her feet and nails her with a hard right hand when, suddenly, Keegan Hightower bursts through the curtain!

The crowd start booing as the tag champ hits the ring, making a beeline for Becky! Anita rolls to the corner, watching on as Keegan Hightower continues punching away at Becky! He rears back for the Superkick, but Becky ducks underneath the boot and hits the ropes and comes back with Game Over!

Geoff Penzer: What a move by Becky! She’s fighting Keegan off, so she gets what she’s earned by beating The Crimson Baroness. And it looks like that Superkick earlier may be the least of Anita’s problems tonight…

Keegan tries to get back to his feet, but he’s struggling after that crucifix driver. He can only watch in horror as Becky lurches towards the terrified Anita as she cowers in the corner.

That is, until The Crimson Baroness attacks Becky from behind! The crowd erupt into boos again as TCB clubs away at the back of her opponent, forcing Becky against the ropes. The Baroness unleashes a series of forearm strikes to the face. She drags Becky into the center of the ring and doubles her over with a knee strike to the gut as she hooks Becky in position for Dom’ed…

Geoff Penzer: Wait a minute, here comes Mason!

The crowd cheer again as THE MASON! charges down the aisle and into the ring – with a bat in hand! The Crimson Baroness quickly releases Becky from her grip and bails from the ring, not wanting her face to be rearranged. Keegan gets back to his feet as Mason turns around, the bat held overhead as he prepares to bring it down across Hightower’s forehead – but Keegan drops down and rolls out of the ring!

The tag champs reconvene in the aisle way, safe from harm as Brute Camp stand tall in the ring. Mason points the bat out in the champions’ direction, when he chooses to drop the bat and instead pick up the LDFC Apex Tag Team title belts that have been dropped by the champions over the course of proceedings. The Crimson Baroness and Keegan Hightower both protest loudly as Mason holds their belts over his head … but the third voice is missing.

The tag champs looks at one another before they realize Anita isn’t among them! She was petrified in the corner, where she still is as Becky grabs Handey by the hair, pulling her to her feet! The champions looki on helplessly as Becky drops Anita with Gimme An S… transitioning into Arabesque! Anita screams in pain as the Koji clutch is locked on, until she appears to pass out from the pain.

Geoff Penzer: The Brute Camp have sent a message to the champions here. After the hijinks of At All Costs and Bound By Honor, finally they’ve got a measure of revenge against The Baroness and Keegan!

Mason drops the belts as Becky releases the submission hold; Anita is out cold in the ring as Brute Camp roll out under the bottom rope, and the tag champions slide in under the bottom rope. Keegan heading right to his unconscious girlfriend as The Crimson Baroness picks up the title belts. She glares out of the ring as the two members of Brute Camp head back up the aisle, their music playing throughout the arena as the fans continue to cheer.

[FGA Office]

Four weeks ago at "Bound by Honor"...

Both wrestlers slowly get back to their feet.

Nest throws out a right hand. Emily comes back with a right hand of her own.

Nest throws out another right hand that sends Emily stumbling back.

Emily comes back over and connects with another right hand.

Nest throws out a right hook. But Emily ducks and counters with a right and left forearm strike. She then delivers a shoot kick to the left leg, follows up with a Spinning Backfist, and caps off the combo with a Pelé Kick. While Nest is dazed, Emily gets up and takes off into the ropes. When she turns, the crowd cheers as she sends Nest spinning down to the canvas with a Busaiku Knee Strike.

Geoff Penzer: There it is! This could be it!

Emily makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!

The crowd sighs, then boos as Nest gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Soooo close!

Emily picks up Nest and goes for an irish whip. But Nest reverses, sending her into the ropes. When Emily comes back, she slides through Nest’s legs. When Nest turns around, Emily gets up and delivers another shoot kick to the left leg. Nest’s knee buckles before he collapses to one knee. From there, Emily nails Nest with a roundhouse kick to the head. She then nails Nest with another roundhouse kick…

And another…

And another…

And another…

And another…

And another…

While Nest is dazed, Emily runs into the ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she knocks Nest down with a Busaiku Knee Strike. Emily steps steps out onto the apron and tries to climb up to the top turnbuckle.

Geoff Penzer: Emily’s headed to the top! She’s looking to put this away! We could be seconds away from having a new APEX Champion!

Once Emily reaches the top, the crowd cheers as she leaps off, shifts her body in mid air and crashes down on Nest with a Five Star Frog Splash.

Geoff Penzer: There it is! There it is!


ONE!
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TWO!
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*DIGN!-DING!!-DING!!!*

Geoff Penzer: Did she get it? Did she win!?

Emily slowly rolls off of Nest.

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





















...and now, the NEEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWWWWW… APEX Champion…

The crowd explodes with cheers.

...EMILY CARTER!

Geoff Penzer: She’s done it! She’s done!

“Don’t Die Digging” blasts over the PA as Emily holds her arms in the air while still on the mat. However, her theme music is quickly cut off as the ref heads to the outside and informs Melanie Sierra of something.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me that time experience right before the three count. Therefor, this match has been ruled a DRAW…

The crowd erupts with boos.

Geoff Penzer: Wow!

Melanie Sierra: … aaaaaand STIIIIIILLLLLLL your APEX Campion, NEST!

[FGA Office]

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall! It is your main event of the evening and t is for the APEX Championship!

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.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, from Westwood, Massachusetts! Weighing in at 129 pounds… EMILY CARTER!

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.

Geoff Penzer: Emily Carter came within a hair of winning the APEX Championship last month at Bound by Honor. Now, she gets her chance to try for the APEX Championship for a second time. But can she do what she failed to do at Bound by Honor? It’s very rare that someone gets a second crack at Nest. When they do, Nest is quick to put them down. Just see Terrence Tillman, Prince MacRear, Hana Song and countless others for example.

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.

Melanie Sierra: Her opponent, from Rocky Mount, North Carolina! Weighing in at 287 pounds! He is the reigning and defending APEX Champion… 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: Since May of 2016, the APEX Championship has been synonymous with this man. Over the span of the last fourteen and a half months, Nest has put down challenger after challenger. These aren’t just stiffs he’s been facing either. These are some of the best of the best here in LDFC. For over a year, people have continuously brought their best against Nest. Rarely has Nest stumbled. But in championship matches, his record is spotless. There isn’t a loss on his record when it comes to APEX Championship defenses. You can knock Nest for this recent attitude shift. But you cannot deny the man’s talent. There’s a very good chance that Nest walks out of this match the same way he came in - as APEX Champion!

The match starts with Nest immediately delivering a double leg pickup, running across the ring and tackling Carter into the corner. Nest proceeds to unleash a series of shoulder thrusts, followed by a series of knee strikes to the midsection followed by a series of back elbow strikes.

Geoff Penzer: Nest is wasting very little time. I think even he knows just how close he came to losing that championship at Bound by Honor.

The crowd continues to boo as Nest takes Carter and whips her into the opposite corner. Nest charges across the ring. But Carter is able to hop through the ropes onto the apron and catch Nest with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. While Nest is doubled over, Carter executes a sunset flip. Nest can be seen swinging his arms wildly. Once he regains his balance, he reaches down, latches onto Carter’s throat with both hands, yanks her up back to her feet and launches her into the corner. From there, Nest delivers another series of back elbow strikes. He then takes Carter and whips her into the opposite corner. Nest runs across the ring and connects with a clothesline. He then takes Carter and whips her into the previous corner. Nest runs across the ring, delivers a corner high knee and goes to follow up with a bulldog from out of the corner. But Carter shoves Nest off of her and into the ropes. When Nest returns, he flattens her with a crossbody block.

ONE!
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TWO!
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.
Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest grabs Carter, picks her up and knocks her back down with a headbutt. He reaches back down, pulls her back up, wrenches her arm and follows up with a hook kick that sends her stumbling back into the ropes. As Nest makes his way over towards her, Carter goes to step out onto the apron. But Nest reaches forward, grabs her by the hair and shakes his head as he slowly pulls her back into the ring.

Geoff Penzer: It looks like Emily Carter was trying to create some distance there. But the APEX Champion had other plans.

Nest takes Carter and whips her into the corner. He runs across the ring and connects with a clothesline. He then takes Carter and whips her into the opposite corner. Nest then runs across the ring and delivers a clothesline that sends her slumping down in the corner. Nest reaches down, pulls Carter up by her hair and launching her more than halfway across the ring. Carter slowly sits up and arches her back in pain. While Carter is still feeling the effects of that throw, Nest runs across the ring and kicks her hard in the spine, sending her flying off the canvas and into the corner. Nest reaches down, picks up Carter and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. She begins to stumble from out of the corner. But Nest reaches out, grabs her by the hair and shoves her back into the corner. After a knee strike to the midsection doubles her over, Nest grabs a hold of Carter and launches her halfway across the ring again. Carter’s back bounces off the canvas before turning over onto her stomach.

Geoff Penzer: Nest is just having his way with the challenger right now. Carter is an underrated striker. But she can’t match the raw power that’s on display right now.

Carter tries to push herself up on all fours, but Nest delivers a stomp to the back of the head that flattens her. He then grabs her by the hair with both hands, drags her towards the center of the ring and begins to spin around in a circle. Nest then pulls Carter up and continues to spin her around by the hair. At this point, Carter’s body is parallel to the ground. Nest then lets go, which causes Carter to fly across the ring. After Carter bounces off her stomach, her body rolls to the outside. As Carter slowly begins to get back to her feet, Nest takes off into the far ropes. When he returns, the crowd boos as he hurls himself through the ropes and knocks Carter down with a suicide dive.

Geoff Penzer: Carter better come up with something quick or else this contest isn’t going to last much longer.

Nest picks up Carter and rolls her back into the ring. He rolls himself back in and goes to make the cover. But he sees that Carter has rolled herself across the ring and out onto the apron. He looks over and shakes his head before returning to his feet. As Nest marches over towards Carter, she begins to pull herself up using the ropes. Nest reaches over to grab her. But she ducks and counters with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. She then goes for a high risk maneuver. But as soon as she jumps up to for the springboard flying forearm, Nest lunges forward and shoves her down to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: Nest with the denial!

While Carter is pulling herself up using the guardrail, Nest takes off into the far ropes. When Carter turns around, Nest lunges through the ropes and goes for another suicide dive. But this time, Carter falls out of the way, causing Nest to crash against the guard rail.

Geoff Penzer: Carter got out of the way just in the nick of time! Nest just crashed head-first into the guard rail! You’ve got to wonder how shaken up he is after that.

Carter slowly pulls herself up using the edge of the apron. She then goes over, picks up Nest and slams him face-first onto the apron. After a shoot kick to the chest, she rolls him back into the ring. After climbing up to the top turnbuckle, Carter crouches down and waits for Nest to return to his feet. Once the champion gets back to a vertical base, Carter stands up, leaps off and connects with a shotgun dropkick to the back, which sends Nest stumbling forward, through the ropes and onto the apron. Carter slowly returns to her feet before heading over towards Nest. The champion can be seen pulling himself back up using the apron. Carter heads over and goes for another shoulder thrust through the ropes. But this time, Nest counters with a knee lift. He then takes Carter and goes for a vertical suplex to the outside. But Carter blocks the move. After a punch to the ribs, Nest lifts her up for a suplex to the floor. But Carter slips down from behind and lands on her feet. She then quickly grabs Nest by the ankle and yanks him off the apron. On the way down, Nest smacks his face hard against the edge of the apron.

Geoff Penzer: What a hard fall that was! Nest just smacked his face off the apron, which is the hardest part of the ring.

Carter turns Nest towards her and fires off with a series of elbow strikes to the face. She then takes Nest and goes for an irish whip. But Nest reverses, sending Carter down ringside. But instead of crashing into the guardrail, Carter hops over it. Nest then runs down the ringside area to attack. But the crowd cheers as Carter cuts him off with a springboard forearm smash off the guard rail.

Geoff Penzer: What a move there by Carter!

Carter picks up Nest and struggles to roll him back into the ring. She then rolls herself back in before making the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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Nest kicks out.

Carter picks up Nest and goes to slam him face-first into the top turnbuckle. But Nest puts his foot on the middle turnbuckle, blocking the move. After an elbow to the midsection, Nest takes Carter and slams her face-first into the top turnbuckle. He then turns Carter around, grabs her by the arm, whips her across the ring and follows her into the corner. But instead of crashing into the turnbuckles, Carter grabs a hold of the top ropes and goes to vault over the oncoming Nest. Nest goes to duck under Carter, but Carter turns her body in mid air and executes a modified sunset flip.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
.
.
Nest kicks out.

After both wrestlers get up, Nest throws out a rolling kesagiri chop. But Carter ducks and counters with a school boy.

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

After both wrestlers get up, Carter rolls up Nest with a small package.

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

After Nest rolls to the outside and turns around, he sees Carter holding her thumb and index finger about two inches apart. The crowd cheers as they know just how close Carter came to winning this contest. Nest just stares at Carter… before lunges forward and yanks her down by her ankles. He then yanks her hard out to the floor. After kicking Carter over onto her stomach, the crowd boos as Nest hooks his arms around her legs, delivers a wheelbarrow lift and begins violently swinging Carter repeatedly against the guardrail.

Geoff Penzer: Good God, Nest!

Nest gets up and marches over to where Melanie Sierra is seated. After motioning for Sierra to get out of the ring, the ring announcer wisely does so and scurries off to safety. Nest then swipes up the chair, marches back down the ringside area and places it down. He then picks up Carter, sits her down in the chair and delivers a series of punches to the face. While Carter is down, Nest climbs back up onto the apron. A series of “FUCK YOU, NEST!!!” chants break out. But Nest pays them no mind as he zeroes in on Carter. After stepping back towards the ring post, Nest runs along the apron, flips off and goes for a cannonball senton. But Carter rolls out of the way, causing Nest to flatten the chair to an eruption of cheers.

Geoff Penzer: Carter just barely missed being squashed by Nest. Instead, it was solely the chair that got squashed and now Nest is looking a little worse for wear.

As Nest begins to slowly pull himself up using the edge of the apron, Carter heads over and nails him with a shoot kick to the back. She then nails Nest with another shoot kick to the back… and another… and another… and another… and another… and another… and another… and another. Carter then struggles to roll Nest back into the ring. After rolling herself back in, she makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
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Nest gets his shoulder up.

Carter picks up Nest and whips him into the corner. She then runs across the ring, connects with a clothesline and follows up with a bulldog from out of the corner. While Nest is still down, Carter gets back up and stands on the back of Nest’s legs. After hooking his feet behind her legs, Carter reaches down, grabs Nest by the wrists and begins to rock him back and forth. Once she’s got enough momentum, she slowly leans back and applies a seated surfboard stretch.

Geoff Penzer: Carter locks in the seated surfboard!

The ref asks Nest if he wants to give up. But Nest refuses. So Carter pulls back, increasing the pressure of the hold.

Geoff Penzer: Nest’s back had to have been killing him before. Being locked inside this surfboard isn’t doing it any favors.

The ref asks Nest if he wants to give up. But Nest refuses. Carter continues to keep the hold applied.

Geoff Penzer: Carter would love for nothing more than to get a submission win over Nest. But Nest would rather pass out than submit to anyone.

The ref asks Nest if he wants to give up. Once again, Nest shakes his head, refuses to quit. Carter then lets go of the hold and heads out onto the apron. As Nest slowly gets up on all fours, Carter climbs up to the top turnbuckle, leaps off and flattens him with a diving double foot stomp across the face. She struggles to push Nest over before making the cover.

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

Carter picks up Nest, brings him into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Nest around, Carter delivers a shoot kick to the chest, followed by a punch to the face. She then delivers another shoot kick to the midsection, followed by a punch to the face. Carter continues this series of alternating combos before delivering a series of stomps to the chest. Carter continues with the stomps until Nest is knocked down in the corner. Carter then runs into the opposite corner, comes back and delivers a hesitation dropkick. She gets up, runs into the opposite corner, comes back and delivers another hesitation dropkick. Carter gets up, runs into the opposite corner, comes back and delivers yet another hesitation dropkick. The last dropkick sends Nest underneath the bottom rope and out to the floor.

Nest can be seen on all fours trying to shake out the cobwebs. As he slowly rises back to his feet, Carter runs parallel to the ropes. When she returns, she flips to the outside and goes for a Fosbury Flop. But Nest catches her in mid air. He then runs down the ringside area before delivering a running powerslam across the guardrail.

Geoff Penzer: He nearly broken her in half!

Nest reaches down, yanks up Emily and presses her over his head. After walking back towards the ring, Nest takes Carter and launches her over the top rope and back into the ring. After Nest rolls back in, he makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
.
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THR-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up Carter and leans her up against the corner so that she’s facing out towards the corner. After stepping back towards the center of the ring, Nest runs, jumps and connects with a corner splash to the back. After Carter falls from out of the corner, he makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up Carter and whips her into the ropes. When she returns, Nest lifts her up and throws her down with a thrusting spinebuster. He makes the cover.

ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!

Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up Carter and whips her into the ropes. When Carter returns, Nest lifts her up and delivers a flapjack. While Carter’s down in the prone position, Nest steps out onto the apron and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. He then leaps off and connects with a diving headbutt to the back. The crowd boos as he pulls Carter over and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
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TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest gets up, walks over and hooks his arms around Carter’s legs. Carter tries to kick Nest away from her. But it’s to no avail as Nest turns her over and places her in a Boston Crab.

Geoff Penzer: This could be it right here.

The ref asks Carter if she wants to give up. When she refuses to quit, Nest pulls back.

Geoff Penzer: You can see the pain written all over her face. Nest targeted her back repeatedly before putting her in the Boston Crab, much like she did earlier on with the surfboard stretch.

The ref asks Carter if she wants to give up. But again, Carter refuses to quit. So Nest pulls back some more.

Geoff Penzer: Carter’s groaning from the pain. She’s trying to fight it off. But I don’t know how much longer she can hang on for.

The ref asks Carter if she wants to quit. But once again, Carter refuses to give up.

Geoff Penzer: She’s not quitting. She doesn’t want to give up. But she might not have much of a choice.

Carter slowly begins to plant the palms of her hands on the mat. She then strains as she slowly pushes herself up off the mat. She tries to crawl towards the ropes. But Nest pulls her right back towards the center of the ring and crouches down.

Geoff Penzer: Nope, Nest wasn’t about to have any of that.

The crowd tries to rally behind Carter by starting up an “EMILY!” chant. The ref asks Carter if she wants to give up. But she still refuses. She begins to slowly scratch and claw her way towards the ropes. But once again, Nest pulls her right back towards the center of the ring and crouches down.

Geoff Penzer: Nest is keeping Carter right where he wants her and that’s dead in the center of the ring.

The ref asks Carter if she wants to give up. But he doesn’t get in answer. So the ref asks her again. This time, she responds and she still refuses. Carter slowly tries to pulls herself across the ring. But Nest stands up, drags Carter back towards the center of the ring and begins stomping on the back of her head until he squats back down.

Geoff Penzer: Did you see how hard those stomps her by Nest? It was almost as if he was trying to stomp through Carter’s head.

The ref checks back in with Carter and asks if she wants to give up. But he doesn’t get an answer. So he raises her arm and lets go. The arm falls. The ref holds her arm out, lifts it up and lets go. The arm falls and hits the canvas a second time. Just then, Carter begins to slowly push herself up off the canvas and tries to pull herself towards the ropes. Nest then lets go, turns around, reaches down and hooks both of Carter’s arms from behind. He then yanks her back to her feet before going for a lifting sitout chickenwing facebuster. But Carter’s able to reverse into a wheelbarrow victory roll.

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

After both wrestler get back to their feet, the crowd boos Nest turns Carter inside out with a rolling kesagiri chop. He drops down and makes the cover.

Geoff Penzer: Tree Removal! That may be enough for the win!

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

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest picks up Carter and whips her into the corner. He runs across the ring, jumps and connects with a corner splash. Nest takes Carter and whips her back into the previous corner. He runs, jumps and goes for another corner splash. But this time, Carter moves out of the way, causing Nest to crash into the corner. As Nest stumbles back, the crowd cheers as Carter heads back into the corner, springboards onto the middle ropes, backflips back and delivers a sitout inverted DDT.

Geoff Penzer: Emilution!

Carter rolls out onto the apron and slowly pulls herself up using the ropes. She then heads into the corner and begins to climb. But once she’s got one foot on the top turnbuckle, Nest runs up onto the middle ropes and repeatedly headbutts her in the face. After scooping her up, Nest hurls her over his head and more than halfway across the ring with an avalanche fallaway slam.

Geoff Penzer: Nest nearly chucked Carter out of the ring!

Nest watches on as Carter can be seen slowly pulling herself up using the ropes. After Carter turns around in the opposite corner, Nest charges across the ring and goes for a corner yakuza kick. But Carter rolls out of the way. After Nest unhooks his leg from off the top rope and turns around, he turns into a roundhouse kick. Carter then climbs up onto the middle ropes and punches him while the crowd counts along.

Crowd: ONE! TWO! THRE! FOUR! FIVE! SIX! SEV-

Nest grabs Carter, runs across the ring and rams her back-first into the opposite corner. He then takes Carter and whips her back into the previous corner. Nest then runs across the ring and connects with a corner yakuza kick. After Carter crumbles from out of the corner, Nest drags her away from the ropes and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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.
THRE-NO!

The crowd gasps, then cheers as Carter gets her shoulder up.

Nest heads into the corner and waits for Carter to get up. As Carter is slowly rising back to a vertical base, Nest heads from out of the corner, delivers a knee lift and throws out a discus elbow. But Carter ducks and runs into the ropes. When Carter comes back, the crowd boos as Nest brings her down with a leg lariat. He then picks her up off the canvas, lifts her upside down and plants her with a piledriver. Nest turns over and makes the cover.

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

Carter gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: There’s still some fight left in Carter! How much, I don’t know.

Nest picks up Carter and delivers a series of knee lifts. But on the last knee lift, Carter catches Nest’s leg. She then spins Nest around. When Nest comes back, he uses the momentum to throw out a discus elbow. But again, Carter ducks. When Nest turns around, the crowd cheers as Carter leaps up and plants him with a jumping DDT.

Geoff Penzer: Carter just spiked Nest with that DDT.

After Nest rolls over onto his back, Carter sits him up before running into the ropes. When Carter returns, the crowd erupts with cheers as she blasts Nest with a Penalty Kick to the face. She makes the cover.

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

The crowd sighs, then boos as Nest gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: The crowd thought that was going to be it and so did I!

Carter steps out onto the apron and waits for Nest to get up. Once Nest gets up and turns around, Carter goes for a springboard flying forearm smash. But Nest counters with a dropkick in mid air. Nest picks up Carter, hooks her arms from behind, hoists her up and slams her down with a lifting sitout chickenwing facebuster. The crowd boos as Nest turns over and hooks the leg.

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

The crowd cheers as Carter gets her shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: This has to be driving Nest insane at this point.

Nest picks up Carter and doubles her over with a hard knee to the midsection. He then hits a knee lift and then goes for a discus elbow smash. But once again, Carter ducks. When Nest turns around, Carter 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. While Nest is dazed, Carter runs into the ropes. When Carter comes back, Nest knocks her down with a leaping clothesline.

Geoff Penzer: Just when Carter thought she had him, Nest comes right back and swats her down.

Nest picks up Carter and quickly doubles her over with a knee to the midsection. After a knee lift, he throws out a discus elbow. But Carter counters into a rolling cross armbar.

Geoff Penzer: Carter Lock! She countered with the Carter Lock!

The crowd cheers as Carter tries to hyperextend the arm. But Nest quickly clasps his hands together. He then turns over onto his knee before getting up to his feet. Nest then hoists Carter off the canvas before slamming her down hard, breaking the hold. Nest then waits for Carter to get to her feet. Once Carter begins to get off the canvas, Nest heads over, delivers a knee lift and follows up with a discus elbow.

Geoff Penzer: Nest Assured!

The crowd boos as Nest makes the cover.

Geoff Penzer: ONE!

ONE!

Geoff Penzer: TWO!

TWO!

Geoff Penzer: THREE!

THRE-NO! The crowd gasps, then cheers as Carter gets her shoulder up!

Geoff Penzer: She got her shoulder up? She got her shoulder up!

Nest picks up Carter, scoops her up across his shoulder and goes for a running powerslam. But Carter slips down from behind and shoves him into the ropes. When Nest comes back, he goes for a running clothesline. But Carter ducks and runs into the ropes. When both wrestlers come back, the crowd cheers as Carter knocks Nest down with a Busaiku Knee Strike. She then sits up Nest before running into the ropes. When Carter comes back, the crowd erupts with cheers as she blasts him in the face with a Penalty Kick.

Geoff Penzer: Penalty Kick! That’s gotta be it right there!

Crowd: ONE!

Geoff Penzer: ONE!

Crowd: TWO!

Geoff Penzer: TWO!

Crowd: THREE!

Geoff Penzer: THREE!

WAIT! NO!

The crowd sighs as Nest gets his shoulder up.

Geoff Penzer: Nest got his shoulder up! He got his shoulder up!!

Carter picks up Nest and delivers three forearms to the face before running into the ropes. When Carter comes back, Nest delivers a flapjack. As Carter slowly gets up on one knee, the crowd boos as Nest runs over and knocks her down with a Shining Black. Nest then heads out onto the apron and waves up Carter.

Geoff Penzer: We know what’s coming next. Nest only brings this out during the big matches...

Once Carter gets back to her feet and turns around, Nest executes a springboard flying forearm smash… but Carter counters with a double knee facebreaker. The crowd erupts with cheers.

Geoff Penzer: What a counter by Carter!

After Nest bounces off her knees and rolls over onto his back, Carter slowly gets back to her feet. She then steps through the ropes and climbs up to the top turnbuckle. Once the crowd stands up, Carter leaps off, turns her body in mid air and crashes on top of Nest with a Five Star frog Splash. Carter sits Nest up before heading back into the ropes. When she returns, the crowd cheers as she connects with a Penalty Kick to the face. She makes the cover.

ONE!
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.
TWO!
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.
THREE!

“Don’t Die Digging” plays throughout the venue as the crowd erupts with cheers.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, here is your winner… and now, the new APEX Champion, EMILY CARTER!

Carter rolls off of Nest and covers her face with her hands. She then slowly sits up and rests her hands on top of her head before slowly getting back to her feet. The ref raises her arms to a chorus of cheers.

Geoff Penzer: Emily Carter's done it! She's defeated Nest to become the new APEX Champion!

The ref hands Carter the APEX Championship. As soon as the title lands in her hands, she drops to her knees and bursts into tears. Carter stares at the title before clutching it close to her chest. Once she gets back to her feet, she staggers over towards the ropes before thrusting the championship in the air to another chorus of cheers.

After Carter makes her way out to the ring, she high fives the fans as she makes her way up the aisle. She then slowly turns around and raises the championship over her head before walking through the curtain.