Thursday Night Challenge 1x05 (11.17.16)

[FGA Office]

★★★ FEATURED CONTEST ★★★
15 CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
[c] Becker Gaines vs. “The Strong Style Savior” Shintaro Majima

As the opening of "There's A Storm Coming" filters through the PA system a combination of gold and reddish-orange lights flicker in the entranceway in sync with the keyboards - until the intro is interrupted by a combination of brooding synths and haunting, almost ethereal vocals that greet Shintaro Majima as he walks through the curtain into the arena, and without a second's hesitation he begins to walk down the ramp towards the ring

Once he reaches ringside Majima climbs the ring steps and steps into the ring, loosening his robe and removing his sunglasses before he walks towards the corner he has decided is his, at which point he removes his robe and places it and his sunglasses in the corner as he wipes the back of each hand in the palm of the other in preparation.

Geoff Penzer: On the last episode of Thursday Night Challenge, Shintaro Majima was screwed out of the 15 Championship by Becker Gaines. Tonight, Majima is not only looking to reclaim the championship he should’ve never lost. But he plans on delivering the decisive blow that ends Becker Gaines.

“Hard to Handle” by the Black Crowes starts up on the PA, the opening drums kicking into the familiar beat of the old rock station hit. As it does Becker Gaines burst out from the curtain, a contemptuous smirk on his face as he takes in the crowd.

After a moment he nods his head before making his way down the ramp to the ring, his stride a full, exaggerated swagger in time with the song. He takes the stairs up onto the outside apron, shrugging off his ring jacket and dropping it to the mats for someone else to pick up before he scales the turnbuckles from the outside.

He doesn’t take the time to showboat and instead just steps off the ropes and into the ring, walking over to his corner to await the start of the match.

Geoff Penzer: Becker Gaines readily admits that he cheated Majima out of his championship. He also admits that Majima is the better striker, grappler, is tougher and more athletic. But he also says that he’s smarter than Majima and he’s got the title to prove it. Will Gaines be able to outsmart Majima yet again? Or will he get the beating that he deserves? Let’s send it to the ring.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the following match, set for one fall, is for the 3G1W 15 CHAMPIONSHIP!

The crowd explodes with cheers and applause in anticipation of tonight's featured contest! The lights are turned down low as a spotlight shines down on both Majima and Gaines.

Melanie Sierra: Introducing first, the challenger! From Gifu, Japan! Weighing in at 242 pounds! He is “THE STRONG STYLE SAVIOR” SHINTARO MAJIMA!

There are some boos in the crowd as well for Majima. But there’s some audible cheers from the fans who respect Majima’s no nonsense approach.

Melanie Sierra: And his opponent, from Hollywood, California! Weighing in at 235 pounds! He is the reigning… defending...3GW 15 Champion… He is BECKER GAINES!

The crowd erupts with boos upon the announce of Gaines’ name.

The match starts with Majima knocking Gaines down with a running yakuza kick.

Geoff Penzer: Majima’s going right after the new 15 Champion!

Majima picks up Gaines and whips him into the corner. He then runs across the ring and cracks Gaines across the jaw with a running forearm smash. Majima steps out to the side and unleashes a series of shoot kicks that send Gaines slumping down in the corner. Majima then delivers several face washes before running into the adjacent ropes. When Majima returns, he nails Gaines with a running knee. He then drags Gaines from out of the corner and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gaines kicks out.

Majima picks up Gaines and whips him into the ropes. When Gaines returns, Majima throws him down with a back body drop. As Gaines sits up, Majima nails him with several soccer kicks to the back. Each kick causes Gaines to yelp.

Majima reaches down, pulls up Gaines by the hair and cracks him across the bridge of the node with a headbutt. Majima reaches down, pulls Gaines back up and nails him with another headbutt. This time, Gaines stumbles back into the ropes. While Gaines leans back against the ropes in a dazed state, Majima turns and runs into the far ropes. When Majima returns, the crowd cheers as he knocks Gaines over the top rope and to the floor with a lariat.

Geoff Penzer: Gaines is in a world of hurt early on as Majima is coming at him from all angles.

Majima crouches down as he waits for Gaines to return to his feet. Once the 15 Champion slowly gets back to a vertical base, Majima takes off into the far ropes. When Majima returns, the crowd cheers as he leaps through the ropes and knocks Gaines down with an elbow suicida.

Geoff Penzer: Majima lunges through the ropes and connects with a hard elbow to the face. That might shut Gaines up.

Majima picks up Gaines and rolls him back into the ring. Majima rolls himself back in and goes for the cover. But Gaines is rolling across the ring and out to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: The crowd is booing Gaines decision to roll back to the outside and I can’t blame them. Gaines said he was going to show the world why he’s the 15 Champion and he’s doing everything but that.

Gaines tries to take a breather. But Majima doesn’t let him rest for long. After rolling to the outside and rounding the ring post, the Strong Style Savior comes up from behind and knocks Gaines down with a lariat. He then reaches down, pulls up Majima and rolls him back into the ring. Majima slides in and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!

.
.
Gaines gets his foot on the bottom rope.

Majima gets up, drags Gaines away from the ropes and makes the cover.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!
.
.
Gaines gets his shoulder up.

Majima picks up Gaines, wrenches his arm and nails him with a stinging knife edge chop. He takes Gaines by the wrist with both hands, delivers another arm wrench and follows up with another stinging chop. After Majima takes him by the wrist and delivers a third arm wrench, the crowd boos as Gaines delivers with a rake to the eyes. He then takes Majima from behind, runs and tosses him through the ropes and to the floor.

Geoff Penzer: It didn’t take long for Gaines to resort to dirty tactics.

As Majima gets up on the outside, Gaines runs over and knocks him down with a baseball slide from behind. Gaines then slips out onto the apron before pulling himself up. After Majima pulls himself up using the guardrail and turns around, Gaines knocks him down with a flying double ax handle smash off the apron.

Gaines picks up Majima and whips him hard into the steel steps. There’s a loud thud upon impact as Majima crashes against them. While Majima leans against the steps, Gaines turns and peels back the protective mat, exposing the concrete floor.

Geoff Penzer: This is not good. Gaines can deliver a lot of damage on the outside. But he can deliver even more now that the floor has been exposed.

Gaines goes over, pulls up Majima and throws him down with a scoop slam across the edge of the apron. After Majima bounces off the apron, Gaines picks him up, brings him over and delivers a scoop slam onto the exposed floor. There’s a loud thud as Majima’s body lands on the exposed floor. He then reaches down, pulls Majima back up and delivers a snap suplex onto the exposed floor. Majima lets out a yelp as he back collides with the hard floor.

Geoff Penzer: Majima yells out in pain after taking a snap suplex right onto the exposed concrete! I can only imagine how much that hurts.

Gaines picks up Majima and delivers another snap suplex on the exposed floor. Majima yelps in pain as his back lands on the floor. Gaines returns to his feet and holds his arms out. He takes in their jeers and boos. Gaines picks up Majima and rolls him back inside. After rolling back into the ring, he drags Majima away from the ropes before making the cover.

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

Gaines makes another lateral press.

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

Gaines with another lateral press.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!

.
.
Majima gets his shoulder up.

Gaines marches into the corner and feverishly unties the rope to the to turnbuckle. Once it’s loose, he yanks off the middle turnbuckle, exposing the steel turnbuckle.

Geoff Penzer: Now he’s pulling off the turnbuckle pad!

The ref admonishes Gaines for exposing the turnbuckle and demands that he put it back. Gaines responds by tossing the turnbuckle pad to the outside.

Gaines heads back over to Majima and puts the boots to him before pulling him back up. Gaines takes Majima by the wrist and whips him hard into the corner. Majima crumbles from out of the corner as the small of his back collides with the exposed turnbuckle. Gaines drags him from out of the corner and makes the cover.

ONE!
.
.
TWO!

.
.
T-NO!

Majima gets his shoulder up.

Gaines picks up Majima, scoops him up from the side and delivers a backbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Majima gets his shoulder up.

Gaines picks up Majima, delivers an inverted atomic drop and follows up with a neckbreaker. He makes the cover.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Majima gets his shoulder up.

Gaines picks up Majima and throws him down with another scoop slam. After heading into the corner and climbing up onto the middle ropes, Gaines goes for a diving elbow drop. But Majima rolls out of the way, resulting in cheers from the crowd.

Geoff Penzer: Majima’s got his opening. Can he get back into this match and reclaim the 15 Championship?

After both men return to their feet, Majima nails Gaines with several forearm smashes. Majima continues to nail Gaines with elbow smashes until Gaines is knocked back into the corner. From there, Majima delivers a series of machine gun chops. After several seconds, Majima begins to slow down… only to speed back up with the machine gun chops. He then takes Gaines and whips him into the opposite corner. Majima then runs across the ring and connects with the Kai No Nai (corner yakuza kick). After bringing Gaines from out of the corner by the wrist, Majima delivers the Akuma-fu (repeated short-arm clotheslines). The last clothesline turns Gaines inside out. He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!

.
.
TH-NO!

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

Majima picks up Gaines and whips him into the ropes. When Gaines returns, Majima goes for a back body drop. But Gaines slips down from behind before kneeing Majima in the back. He then spins Majima around before knocking him down with the Hollywood Headshot (huge sucker punch). He drops down and makes the cover.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!
.
.
TH-NO!

Majima gets his shoulder up.

Gaines picks up Majima and goes for an irish whip. But Majima reverses, sending Gaines into the ropes. When Gaines returns, he throws out a clothesline. But Majima ducks and counters with a Uranage. Majima holds the small of his back before making the cover.

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

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

Geoff Penzer: Another close call for the 15 Champion.

Majima picks up Gaines and doubles him over with repeated knees to the midsection. He then lifts him up before throwing him down with the Kurifu (back suplex side slam). Majima holds the small of his back before making the cover.

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

Gaines gets his shoulder up.

Majima picks up Gaines and lifts him up for a powerbomb. But Gaines counters with Break-A-Star (facebuster). The crowd boos as he makes the cover.

ONE!

.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!

The crowd cheers as Majima gets his shoulder up.

Gaines picks up Majima by the hair and delivers a hair whip biel toss. While Majima tries to get up off the mat, Gaines runs over and connects with a boot to the side of the head, knocking Majima through the ropes and onto the apron. Gaines picks up Majima and goes for a suplex back into the ring. But Majima blocks it. So Gaines tries to muscle him up for another suplex. But again, Majima blocks it. After Gaines lets go, he throws out a punch. But Majima blocks and counters with a punch of his own. Gaines then throws out another punch. But again, Majima blocks and counters with a punch of his own. He nails gaines with three more punches. While Gaines is dazed, Majima goes for the Hakai Tsuchi (slingshot shoulder block). But Gaines ducks, causing the ref to get caught with the move. The crowd gasps.

Geoff Penzer: Oh no!

Majima goes over and checks on the ref while Gaines reaches into his shorts and slips on a pair of brass knuckles.

Geoff Penzer: What’s that? Were those brass knucks he just slipped on! I think… I think they were!

When Majima turns around, the crowd erupts with boos when Gaines nails him with a kick below the belt. While Majima is doubled over, Gaines rocks him with a punch using the brass knuckles. After slipping the brass knuckles back into his tights, he drops down and makes the cover. But the ref is still down.

Geoff Penzer: Majima is out. But ref isn’t in position to count the pin!

Gaines gets up and begins shaking the ref. But unbeknownst to him, Terrence Tillman is rushing down to the ring.

Geoff Penzer: It’s Terrence Tillman! The leader of the T-Unit is on his way to the ring!

Tillman slides in and waves Gaines over towards him. Once Gaines stands up and turns around, the crowd cheers as Tillman delivers Pride Before The Fall (leaping reverse sto). After dragging Gaines into position, he steps out onto the apron, springboards to the top turnbuckle, flips off and connects with the Skyfall (450 splash) to an explosion of cheers. Tillman rolls out of the ring before running back up the aisle and to the back.

Geoff Penzer: Tillman just delivered payback to Gaines after Gaines cost him his chance at the 15 Championship a few episodes ago!

Back in the ring, the ref gets up on all fours and begins shaking out the cobwebs. Meanwhile, Majima slowly turns over and drapes his arm across Gaines’ chest. The ref turns, sees this and starts to count.

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

Geoff Penzer: We’ve got a new champion!

“There’s A Storm Coming” blasts over the PA as the crowd explodes with cheers.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the winner of this match, and now, the NEEEEEEWWWWWW 3GW 15 Champion, SHINTARO MAJIMA!

Majima gets his arm raised while the crowd continues to cheer. After getting handed the 15 Championship, Majima raises the title belt over his head with both hands.

Geoff Penzer: Majima’s done it! He’s avenged his loss two weeks ago to become a two-time 3GW 15 Champion!

While Majima holds the belt in his arms, Jordan Cain, jogs down to the ring.

Geoff Penzer: What’s the Mayor of Hollywood doing out here?

Cain calls the ref to the outside. Once the lead official exits to the floor, Cain can be seen yelling at him while pointing at Majima every few seconds. The ref asks Cain something back. Cain nods. While Cain turns and heads back up the aisle, the ref heads over to Sierra and informs her of something. Majima’s music then dies down as Cain signals for it to turn off.

Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has informed me that due to outside interference on the part of Terrence Tillman, the winner of this match as a result of a Disqualification…






















... and STILL the 3GW 15 Champion, BECKER GAINES!

The crowd erupts with boos as the ref takes the championship away from Majima and lays it down across Gaines, who is just not coming to.

Geoff Penzer: What? Majima is getting DQ’d because of Tillman? What about Gaines’ kick below the belt!? What about him hitting Majima with brass knuckles!? If you want to DQ both men, then fine! But you can’t DQ Majima because of Tillman and give Gaines the title back! No!

“Hard to Handle” blares throughout the arena as Gaines slowly rolls to the outside. With the help of the ref, Gaines makes his way up the aisle. He then turns, faces the ring and holds up the championship to boos from the crowd. Meanwhile, Majima stands in the ring with his hands on his hips. He’s visibly upset and it’s because of three men: Gaines, Cain, and Tillman.