CO-MAIN EVENT
★★★ SINGLES MATCH ★★★
Chris Madison vs. James Edwards
Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for
Short Change Hero by The Heavy begins to play through the speakers and the lights in the arena simultaneously dim down. Smoke begins to rise from the top of the stage and appearing on the screen above are the following words;
A massive pop ensues as emerging from the back is Your Hero and Mine, Mark Storm; who keeps himself composed as he stands at the top of the entrance ramp. He can't help but allow his sadistic signature smirk to appear upon his lips as he closes his eyes and spreads his arms out wide, soaking in the energy that the audience are giving him as they applaud and cheer.
Melanie Sierra: From New York, Brooklyn.. weighing in a two hundred and twenty five pounds - Your Hero, and Mine.. MARRKKKK STORMMMMMM
He begins his walk down the entrance ramp, swaggering his way down.
This ain't no place for no hero.
This ain't no place for no better man.
This ain't no place for no hero
To call "home." At this point, Storm is by the edge of the ring; allowing a smile to embed on his face before he jumps onto the apron and holds onto the ropes, using them to help himself up onto the turnbuckle. He's grinning from ear to ear, soaking in the rest of the cheers coming from the audience, shaking his head sideways as he lowers it, before jumping into the ring. He heads over to his designated corner and hoisting himself up onto the second ropes, a smirk upon his lips as he holds his arms up; his theme song slowly diminishing.
Melanie Sierra: And his opponent…
The arena's lights dim to black as the opening guitar riffs to "War Machine" by KISS begin to screech over the P.A. system. The video screen lights up with visual static noise. Suddenly in the center of the screen a black handprint begins pulsating to the beat of the drum that has began to play. A spotlight shines on the entrance ramp and we see Chris Madison standing with his head bowed under a black towel, wearing an official FGA licensed t-shirt that says, "Always Ready For War," across the chest. He nods his head to the music and as the chorus breaks he rips the towel from his head and tosses it into the live audience, starting his way down the ramp toward, the ring.
Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
Better watch out 'cause I'm a war machine
Melanie Sierra: Coming to the ring from Long Island, New York, weighing in at two hundred twenty pounds, "Mayhem" CHRIS MAAADDIISSOONN!!!
Madison makes it to the base of the steps and places one foot down before scoping out the fans directly behind him by peering over his shoulder. He smirks as the live audience sings along to the entrance music and then marches up the steps and climbs through the ropes. He immediately leaps up onto the middle rope and faces out towards the crowd. He brings his fists up to his face and punches his jaw with each hand before shooting his arms out horizontally with his hands wide open, welcoming whatever challenge is coming his way. Madison hops backwards, bouncing off of his feet and turns towards the center of the ring, snarling and ready to go, making eye contact with Storm who meets him head-to-head right in the center of the ring!
Geoff Penzer: These two are ready for a fight!
The referee quickly parts the two, explaining the rules of combat to each man, but Storm wears the same, trademark calm smirk while the calm-faced Madison shakes his head, speaking to Storm in a volume that the ringside mics can’t quite pick up. Regardless, Storm chuckles slightly and offers a handshake.
Geoff Penzer: Last time these two men met, it was Chris Madison dumping Mark Storm over the top rope, costing him the opportunity at the Gold Rush Rumble and possibly the opportunity at a future FGA World Championship match, but still, Storm is offering a show of respect to his opponent.
After seconds of hesitation, Madison accepts Storm’s hand in a firm handshake.
Geoff Penzer: Well, there we go. At least
one of our two main events are starting off respectfully. I guarantee our World Tag Team Title rematch will
not begin with a handshake.
Roughly, the two part and the referee calls for the bell. Immediately Madison goes low, trying to take Storm to the mat with a double leg takedown! Storm plants his feet, managing to stand his ground as he fires back with a barrage of elbows to the back of the neck! Madison grabs Storm’s right hand and steps behind him, transitioning into a hammerlock! Storm’s eyes widen in pain-- but he throws Madison to the mat with a Snapmare! Madison quickly springs to his feet and turns, firing off with a forearm that sends a smack echoing throughout the arena! Storm covers up his head and face… and Madison switches to throwing low kicks to Storm’s legs and hips!
Geoff Penzer: Quick thinking by Madison, switching to those sharp, trademark kicks! And we know what comes next--!
With Storm hissing in pain, Madison leaps upright for a flying knee strike… but Storm narrowly swivels out of the way, positioning himself behind Madison before landing a German Suplex, bridging into a pin!
ONE
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Madison rolls out of the pin and to his feet, clutching the back of his neck. Storm pushes himself up to one foot-- and Madison rushes forward, blasting him with a knee strike to the temple! He rolls into a lateral press.
ONE
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Kickout!Storm throws the shoulder up and pulls himself beneath the bottom rope, making eye contact with Madison-- the pair earning applause from the audience as Madison rises to his feet. He backs to the center of the ring, beckoning Mark Storm inside. Storm pulls himself to his feet on the apron, staring at Madison with a near-disgusted look before he drops to the floor.
Geoff Penzer: And that look is a far cry from the handshake we opened up with!
Storm chuckles to himself as he walks the ringside area, casting a contemplative look in his opponent’s direction. Inside the ring, the official begins his ten count.
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”
“FOUR!”
“FIVE!”
“SIX!”Madison waits in the center of the ring as Storm rolls into the ring beneath the bottom rope, rising to a knee in front of his opponent… before dropping to his back and rolling to the outside beneath the adjacent set of ropes, flashing a smirk in Madison’s direction.
Geoff Penzer: Perhaps some mind games from… Your Hero and Mine.
Madison backs to the center of the ring, arms at his side, silently inviting Storm to come back into the ring. Storm leans against the apron, that same smirk still in place.
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”
“FOUR!”
“FIVE!”Storm waves the former Pride Champion off and turns, beginning to walk toward the barricade instead. Madison shakes his head and rushes the ropes!
Geoff Penzer: Chris Madison is sick of waiting!
The audience roars as “Mayhem” slides beneath the bottom to the outside.
...right into a vicious Lariat from Storm! The shot sends Madison spiraling through the air and onto his back, eyes wide from the pain as he hits the floor!
Geoff Penzer: GOD! Storm turned around at the last second and completely took Madison inside-out! He lured him in!
Madison struggles to his feet, but Storm yanks him up from behind and delivers a clubbing blow to the back-- before hoisting him up for a Release Back Suplex onto the announce desk! Madison arches his back in pain as the audience groans in empathy.
Geoff Penzer: Madison back-first on the table right in front of me here! Storm’s got him again!
Storm quickly pulls Madison off of the table and drives him to the floor with a Back Suplex! Madison rolls onto his stomach, slamming a fist against the mat. Storm sits next to him, looking first toward Madison with a smirk, then out toward the raucous crowd, who seem divided 70/30 in their reaction toward Storm’s display. Storm’s ears seem to perk up as he notices the referee’s ongoing ten count inside the ring.
“...THREE!”
“FOUR!”
“FIVE!” Storm forces Madison upright and into the ring under the bottom rope, following inside and shooting the half for a cover.
ONE
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TWO
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Kickout!Geoff Penzer: Quick kickout by Madison but Mark Storm is in the driver’s seat, dictating the pace of this match.
Madison makes his way to his hands and knees-- and Storm shoots the ropes, rebounding for a low Dropkick. Madison grunts, rolling to the ropes, pulling himself upright. Storm races to the corner and slingshots himself over the top rope and to the apron-- before charging at Madison and nailing a step-up knee strike using the middle rope! Spit flies as Madison staggers backwards and Storm follows up with a Springboard Missile Dropkick! The audience erupts for the display as Storm rises to his feet, smirking out into the Corpus Christi crowd.
Geoff Penzer: No matter where Madison goes, Storm is right on top of him!
Madison pulls himself up to his hands and knees and Storm cracks his knuckles before dropping down, hooking Madison in a gutwrench! Madison fires back with elbows to the ribcage and Storm grunts in pain-- before hoisting Madison upright with a deadlift Gutwrench Sitout Powerbomb! The official slides to make the cover as Storm pins Madison to the canvas!
ONE
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TWO
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TH--!
Madison uses his ankles to bell-clap Storm, knocking his opponent away and breaking the pin. Storm rolls over his shoulders and up to his feet as Madison climbs up to a knee. Storm forces Madison upright and against the ropes before Irish Whipping him across the ring. Madison rebounds and Storm looks for a Hip Toss-- but Madison grabs Storm’s arm and spins him out before yanking him back for the Ripcord Rolling Elbow!
Geoff Penzer: COMATOSED!
--but Storm ducks beneath disaster with only a centimeter to spare!
Geoff Penzer: Storm evades it!
Keeping a hold of Madison’s left arm, Storm grabs his right as well, crossing them over Madison’s chest to transition into a Straightjacket Suplex, dumping Chris roughly onto the back of his head and neck! Madison rolls up to his knees… before collapsing to the mat again!
Geoff Penzer: What a nasty landing! Deep cover by Mark Storm! He’s got both legs!
ONE
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TWO
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THR--!
Madison kicks out emphatically, earning a loud pop from the Corpus Christi crowd. Storm rises to his knees, shaking his head with the smirk in place again-- though now with an air of frustration. Annoyance. He pulls Madison upright by a wrist… and defiantly, Madison springs up, smashing into Storm with an elbow strike. Storm reels, stunned from the move and Madison reaches a foot, nailing another… before reaching both feet and nailing a low kick, followed by a second, a third, a fourth, a fifth! Storm yells out in frustration and shoves Madison back before racing forward for a Lariat, but Madison swivels behind Storm and drives him to the mat with a Dragon Suplex, bridging into a pin!
ONE
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TWO
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Storm pops out of the pin and onto his side. He begins crawling for the ropes again, but this time it’s Madison that deadlifts Storm off the mat in a rear waistlock! Storm flails as Madison hoists him up-- before he launches Storm overhead for a German Suplex…
...only for Storm to rotate in the air and land on one foot and one knee! Immediately, he springs to his feet and hits Madison with a leaping double knee stomp to the sternum! Madison howls out in pain and Storm sits on top of his stomach, hooking his legs for the pin!
ONE
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TWO
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THR--!
Madison springs up out of the pin and captures Storm from behind in a tight Rear Naked Choke!
Geoff Penzer: Oh my God! Madison with a Rear Naked Choke!
The audience erupts and Storm flails again, bouncing himself off of the canvas whenever Madison tries to perform the grapevine!
Geoff Penzer: Storm is fighting it with everything he’s got!
Storm’s face turns red as Madison applies more pressure to the hold to compensate for his lack of leverage. Madison gets one leg around Storm’s waist, but it’s too late! Storm rolls backwards over Madison, still in the choke, but pinning Madison’s shoulders to the canvas!
ONE
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TWO
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Madison releases his grip and Storm staggers to his feet. He hits the ropes and rebounds for another leaping double knee stomp-- and Madison rolls out of the way! Storm grimaces as he hits and knees, but Madison beats him to his feet, catching him in the Muay Thai Clinch! Storm cries out as Madison backs him into the ropes, delivering thunderous knee strikes, each one connecting with a
SMACK! or
THUD! against Storm’s ribs and torso.
Geoff Penzer: Absolutely stomach-churning, relentless strikes in the clinch by Madison! The official’s gonna have to separate these two!
The referee administers his five count as Storm howls in pain!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
FOU--!Madison pulls Storm into the Ripcord Elbow Strike! The audience erupts as the sound rockets through the American Bank Center-- and the momentum knocks Storm over the bottom rope and clean to the floor!
Geoff Penzer: COMATOSED! He connected that time! Mark Storm might be done. He might be incapacitated on the outside of the ring!
Madison tries to go after Storm, but the official backs him up to the center of the ring, issuing a warning before beginning his ten count.
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”
“FOUR!”
“FIVE!”Madison paces inside the ring, mumbling to himself, eyes narrowed at the stirring Mark Storm.
Geoff Penzer: I’m not sure if Chris Madison wants to walk away with a countout victory!
“SIX!”
“SEVEN!”Storm pulls himself up with the apron, then grabs a hold of the bottom rope… before he slips, sinking to his knees.
“EIGHT!”
“NINE!”Madison pushes past the referee and leans through the ropes to grab a hold of Storm, tugging him up onto the apron in a front facelock to a roar from the crowd!
Geoff Penzer: Madison might be thinking guillotine!
But Storm wrenches himself free! He grabs Madison in a front facelock and pulls his already-unsteady base over the middle rope, looking for a DDT!
Geoff Penzer: NO! Mark Storm is trying to DDT Chris Madison all the way down to the floor!
Madison grabs a hold of the middle rope! Storm bends his knees, trying to drag Madison over the middle rope and to the outside, but Madison resists! The audience grows deafening but mixed in their response! Seething, Storm grabs a hold of Madison’s left wrist, then the right wrist, releasing the headlock-- and drives his knee upright into the nose of the suspended Chris Madison--
Geoff Penzer: Jesus!
--and then does it a second time!
Geoff Penzer: And another one!
Madison lies limp across the middle rope and Storm leans back against the ring post, breathing heavily… and then pivots, hitting Madison with a spinning back kick to the temple! Madison tumbles down to the apron and drops to the floor below as Storm runs a hand down his face, flicking the sweat away while he calmly steps back between the ropes. He turns to look out toward the audience and many members of the Corpus Christi crowd rise to their feet, some jeering, and most cheering Storm.
Geoff Penzer: Chris Madison didn’t want the countout victory but part of me thinks that Mark Storm isn’t quite as turned off by the idea.
Storm smirks, pointing at Madison, who struggles up to his hands and knees on the outside. The official leans through the ropes, asking Madison if he’s able to continue… and at that moment, Storm sprints to the far side of the ring and rebounds, launching himself over the ropes-- and the referee-- with a Topé con Hilo, crushing Chris Madison just as he climbs to his feet!
Geoff Penzer: Topé con Hilo! Corpus Christi loves it!
Storm forces Madison up by the base of his neck and the waist of his shorts, rolling him into the ring beneath the bottom rope! Madison begins to climb to his feet and Storm slides into the ring, racing past him to the ropes, performing a Springboard Moonsault-- before catching Madison for a DDT!
Geoff Penzer: Madison blocks it!
Madison throws elbows into Storm’s gut, preventing the Reverse DDT. As Storm hunches forward a bit, Madison brings a knee up, catching him between the eyes. He goes for a second one-- and Storm catches Madison’s leg, flipping him into his arms for a Tombstone Piledriver, leaping into the air before driving Madison head-first into the canvas! Another roar surges throughout the arena and Storm falls to his back before scrambling for a cover, hooking both legs of Chris Madison!
Geoff Penzer: What a Tombstone Piledriver! Storm with the exclamation point and the deep pin! Sweet retribution!
The audience counts along as the ref’s hand comes down!
ONE
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TWO
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THRE-!
Madison throws a shoulder up and Storm sits upright, rubbing a hand over his face as the pro-Mayhem portions of the crowd explode in approval.
Geoff Penzer: “Not quite yet,” says Chris Madison!
Storm rises to a knee, brow furrowed in thought as he backs himself into the corner… before reaching out, grabbing a hold of the top rope on either side of him, eyes laser-focused on the groggy Chris Madison. Madison reaches his feet, hunched over-- right in time for Storm to blast him with a Bicycle Knee Strike, sending a
CRACK! thundering throughout the venue. Madison sinks to a knee and Storm hits the ropes, rebounding for the follow-up… but Madison stoops down, catching the oncoming Storm and launching him up into the air-- before bringing Storm down with a double-knee facebreaker!
Geoff Penzer: Pop-Up Codebreaker by Madison! And he just brought himself a breather!
Storm writhes in pain on the canvas, hands over his face while Madison lies flat on his back, taking calm, deep breaths. Chants of
“LET’S GO HERO!” battle rally cries of
“MA-DI-SON!” as the ref checks the state of both men. Madison crawls toward Storm, but Storm rolls onto his stomach before Madison can capitalize. Madison sighs, pulling himself up to a knee.
Suddenly, Storm throws himself onto his back, looking for a grounded kick up into the jaw of Madison-- but Madison captures Storm’s leg, pulling himself up into a seated position. Storm’s eyes widen, but before he can so much as utter a sound, Madison synches in the Heel Hook!
Geoff Penzer: Heel Hook locked in!
While chants of
“TAP!” surface initially, they’re immediately countered with chants of
“NO!” from the audience. Mark Storm cries out in pain, reaching out for the ropes, dragging himself and Madison away from the center of the ring! Madison glares a hole through Storm all the while. With two feet between Storm and the ropes, Storm moves a hand over his face, hissing in agony.
Geoff Penzer: That leg wasn’t a target all night but Storm offered it up so many times that Madison had to take it! And now Your Hero and Mine is in trouble! The path to revenge may have just encountered a roadblock!
Storm drags himself and Madison closer. He reaches out-- and just falls short! Storm’s face grows red and he howls out in agony before throwing his arm out, lunging just inches farther… but he falls just inches short!
Geoff Penzer: He’s trapped!
Storm strains, reaching out for the ropes, just fingertips away now-- but suddenly Madison breaks the hold, rising to his feet! He reaches down, pulling Storm up by the neck before trapping him in the Guillotine, shooting a knowing gaze out into the crowd. Corpus Christi responds with a unanimous roar as Madison brings Storm to the center of the ring!
Geoff Penzer: Here we go!
With Storm locked in the Front Guillotine, Madison begins to pivot, breaking into a full rotation, swinging Storm around in the hold! Storm flails his legs, throwing body shots into Madison’s stomach and ribs-- but Madison’s momentum never slows! He propels Storm off of the ground in the Helicopter Guillotine with the crowd screaming the number of each rotation!
“ONE!”
“TWO!”
“THREE!”
“FOUR!”
“FIVE!”
“SIX!”
“SEVEN!”
“EIGHT!”
“NINE!”
“TEN!”
A thunderous applause erupts as Madison launches Storm, sending him spiraling through the air and to the canvas, rolling to the corner in a heap. Storm’s eyes are glassed over as Madison steps over him, roaring out into the raucous audience!
Geoff Penzer: “Mayhem” Chris Madison is ALL fired up!
Storm stumbles to his feet while Madison shoots to the far side of the ring. Storm staggers to the center and Madison plants him with a Yakuza Kick, catching him right across the jaw! Storm flips to the canvas, eyes wide open as he lies motionless on the mat. Madison kneels down and forces Storm up into a front facelock… but Storm shoves Madison away! Madison charges back, but Storm delivers a boot to his gut, stopping him in his tracks! Storm hooks Madison for a Suplex-- but Madison plants his feet and hoists Storm up instead, driving him to the mat with a Brainbuster! He rolls into a cover, hooking the far leg!
ONE
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TWO
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THRRRE-!
Geoff Penzer: At the last possible second, Mark Storm powers out!
Madison rises to his knee, sighing heavily. The Corpus Christi crowd comes to their feet, applauding the action they’ve seen in the match. Madison shakes his head slightly, looking down toward Mark Storm… who pushes himself up onto his side, giving Madison a challenging, almost daring smirk. Madison snorts under his breath, shaking his head again… before extending his fist outward… slowly giving Storm a thumbs-down as Madison rises to his feet.
Geoff Penzer: Chris Madison is ready to end this.
Storm reaches a knee and Madison grabs his arm, but Storm fires back with a palm strike to the bridge of the nose! Madison reels, but lands a stiff elbow strike to the forehead! Storm leans back on his knee, dazed and Madison goes for a second--
Geoff Penzer: Storm blocked it!
Storm cries out, blasting Madison with a forearm strike to the jaw that sends another gutwrenching
CRACK! thundering through the arena before unloading with a frenzy of palm strikes!
Geoff Penzer: Look at Storm go! Storm
Rising!Up to his feet, Storm continues landing palm strike after palm strike to Madison’s chest, his jaw, and finally a shot to his throat that knocks Madison to a knee!
Geoff Penzer: Madison’s completely defenseless!
Storm reels back, fist clenched for a right hook--
--and Madison blasts him with a Bicycle Knee Strike, flush under the chin! Storm crashes to the canvas and Madison quickly mounts his upper-body, applying the Peruvian Necktie!
Geoff Penzer: What an exchange! Chris Madison has the Peruvian Necktie applied!
The Texan crowd is at an all-time fever pitch as Storm struggles in the hold, shifting his legs, trying to back himself toward the ropes-- but it results in him only flattening himself out, allowing Madison to put more pressure on the hold! Storm tries to pull himself back again, but to no avail! The referee asks for a verbal submission, but a muffled and emphatic
“NO!” is the response. Again, the chants of
“TAP!” gain traction, only to be fought off by chants of
“NO!”Geoff Penzer: Mark Storm is refusing to quit!
Madison cries out as he wrenches the hold before leaning forward, adding more pressure. The referee asks for a verbal submission again, but again, a muffled
“no”, much quieter than before is the reply.
Geoff Penzer: I don’t know if there’s a way out of this for Storm!
Madison keeps the hold applied as Storm’s legs kick less… before they remain still. The ref asks for a verbal submission a third time, earning no reply. This time the referee signals for the bell!
DING! DING!The deafening audience responds with a mixed reaction as Madison releases the hold, collapsing to a seated position on the canvas while “War Machine” hits the PA system.
Melanie Sierra: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner… “Mayhem” Chris MAAAAADIIIIISONNNN!
The referee raises the exhausted Madison’s arm, but Madison’s gaze remains locked on the motionless Mark Storm.
Geoff Penzer: Mark Storm didn’t give up. He didn’t tap out. In the end, his body gave out before he did. These two went through hell, and Mark Storm didn’t find retribution today, but this rivalry-- this can only be just getting started.
Madison rolls out of the ring, backing up the ramp, nodding to himself a bit as Storm groggily comes to, asking the referee what happened, unaware of the applause of the surrounding masses as we fade to black.
★★★ COMMERCIAL BREAK ★★★
