Sparrow vs. TJ Techniques
♫ Step into a world (Klaka klaka, klaka klaka!)
Where there's no one left (Buku, buku! Alla de massive!)
But the very best (Klaka, bo bo, BDP crew, bo bo bo bo!)
No MC can test [*cut and scratch of KRS saying "but one"*] ♫
The beat kicks in as "Step Into a World (Rapture’s Delight)" starts to knock through the speakers. Out through the curtain steps TJ Techniques, clad in his ring attire and hooded vest. TJ peeks out underneath the hood as he looks out to the right. He does the same to his left before flinging the hood back, smacking his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. TJ nods his head as he makes his way down the ramp with purpose.
Melanie Sierra: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Staten Island, new York! Weighing in at 200 pounds! He is the reigning FGA 15 Champion, TJ TECHNIQUES!
TJ leaps to the apron before stepping into the squared circle. He makes a beeline towards the far corner and hops up to the middle ropes. TJ scans the crowd before slapping his chest twice and pointing down in front of him with his fingers. He hops down from the corner, walks across the ring and hops to the middle ropes and scans the corner. TJ slaps his chest twice before pointing down in front of him with his forefingers. He then hops down and takes off the hooded vest before tossing it to the outside. TJ tugs away at the top rope as he readies himself for his opponent.
Kris Cruise: TJ Techniques has successfully defended the 15 Championship four times. By doing so, he now has one of two options. He can either continue his reign as 15 Champion, or he can cash that championship in tonight for a guaranteed shot at the United States Championship. This match between TJ and Sparrow came together because these two close friends wanted to see who was the better competitor between the two. But if TJ decides to cash in, it won't just be pride at stake. It'll be Sparrow's United States Championship, too.
Stephy Auger: I don't think he has the guts to do it.
Kris Cruise: To the man's credit, he's beaten Sparrow elsewhere before.
Stephy Auger: Yeah, but the last time those two faced elsewhere, it was Sparrow that got his arm raised. That has to be weighing on the mind of Chance the Grappler.
“Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Yah!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Uh!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Rah!)
Oh give the drummer some, yeah yeah! (Drop it.)"
From the entrance to the ring, Sparrow appears through the curtain, his championship wrapped around his waist. The West Indian Whirlwind begins high-fiving fans on his way down the ramp. He gets to the outside of the ring as “Gold Watch” continues playing before he jumps and lands on the apron.
A second jump sees The West Indian Whirlwind clear the ring ropes before throwing his hat into the audience. Impressively, the championship remained on his waist! Sparrow then takes off for the farthest side of the ring. He springs onto the second rope, executing a backflip and lands on his feet in the middle of the squared circle. He does a sliding motion on his heel before turning and striking a Rock Lee pose to the cheers of the crowd.
Melanie Sierra: His opponent, hailing from ! Weighing in at 205 pounds! He is the reigning FGA United States Champion, SPARROW!
“Got my, gold watch and my, gold chain,
With my, fancy car and my diamond ring!
With my fancy broad and she foreign!
So its, no words and its, no slang, and I'm no trick and I'm no lame.
Its just so slick that she's so game, and its...
Yea, yea she love it over here. Its just yea, yea she love it over here!”
Sparrow leans up against his corner, holding out the championship to the referee after removing it from his person. After some discourse with the announcer and ref, the West Indian Whirlwind is ready to go.
Kris Cruise: Sparrow survive the challenge of Gareth Prichard Jr, Henny and the former champion Owen Gonsalves to become the brand new United States Championship. In recent weeks, he's successfully defended the title against the likes of Mark Storm and another former champion, Savannah Taylor.
Stephy Auger: That's the greatest United States Champion, by the way. Don't forget it.
Kris Cruise: ANYWAYS... Sparrow has been actively defending his championship. Will he go three for three tonight? That decision rests solely on the shoulders of The Funky Technician.
Stephy Auger: It's decision time, Cruise. Let's see if he's got any guts.
The referee heads over to Techniques and holds his arms out. Techniques can be seen gripping the 15 Championship. He looks out to various parts of the crowd. Chants of "YES!" and "NO!" come from all directions. The Funky Technicians looks over to Sparrow before turning his attention back to the official.
Stephy Auger: What's it going to be? We don't have all night!
Techniques thinks long and hard before taking in a deep breath.
Kris Cruise: I think he's going to do it. I think he's about to cash in.
Gasps and cheers are heard when Techniques starts to hold the championship out to the official.
Kris Cruise: He is! He's doing it!
Just as the ref's about to receive the championship, Techniques steps away before turning and handing it off to a ringside attendant. The Funky Technician turns back to the official and shakes his head.
Kris Cruise: He's not doing it!? TJ has turned down the opportunity to cash the title in. He's keeping the 15 Championship!
Stephy Auger: See, I knew he didn't have it in him.
Sparrow and Techniques can be seen talking to one another. They each ask each other if they're ready to do this. Once they both agree, they dap each other up before returning to their respective corners.
Kris Cruise: Well then, it's official. This match will not be for the United States Championship. Win, lose or draw, both grapplers will be leaving this match with a championship to call their own before heading off to the tag ranks.
Stephy Auger: TJ must be comfortable being in Sparrow's shadow. Sparrow is by far the more popular of the two. He's clearly more talented, too. TJ seems to be content with grabbing onto the coattails of a superior tag team partner, just like he did with Cassius Reed.
Kris Cruise: You are so off the mark, it's not even funny.
The ref asks Techniques if he's ready. The Funky Technician nods. The official then asks Sparrow if he's ready. The West Indian Whirlwind nods. He then calls for the bell.
Kris Cruise: Here we go!
The bell sounds as both grapplers slowly make their way out of their respective corners. Both grapplers start to circle the ring before they turn and look out at the chanting crowd.
"LET'S GO, SPARROW!"
"LET'S GO, TJ!"
"LET'S GO, SPARROW!"
"LET'S GO, TJ!"
"LET'S GO, SPARROW!"
"LET'S GO, TJ!"
The dueling chants continue until The Funky Technician takes notice of a change and points out to the crowd.
"TJ TECHNIQUES!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
"TJ TECHNIQUES!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
Sparrow nods. He continues to pace back and forth until he stops and notices a change in the crowd.
"SPARROW!"
*CLAP-CLAP*
"SPARROW!"
*CLAP-CLAP*
Techniques acknowledges the change and claps for the U.S. Champion. He then starts to circle the ring before motioning for Sparrow to bring it. Both grapplers stop before sizing each other up. The West Indian Whirlwind and The Funky Technician head towards the center of the ring and lock up. After jockeying for position, Sparrow shoves Techniques back. Techniques stumbles back a few steps before regaining his balance. TJ wags his finger at Sparrow before heading back over for another lock up. After jockeying for position, it's Sparrow that gets shoved back. Sparrow stumbles back a few steps before regaining his balance. Both grapplers circle the ring once more before lunging forward for a snug collar-and-elbow. They jockey for position until Sparrow starts to move Techniques back. Techniques then slows Sparrow down before starting to muscle him across the ring. Techniques ends up pressing Sparrow up against the ropes. The ref's about to head over and force them to break it up until Sparrow turns to his right and presses Techniques up against the ropes. Techniques rolls over and presses Sparrow back up against the ropes before Sparrow rolls to his right once more and pins Techniques up against the turnbuckles. The ref is finally able to enforce a five count.
Ref: ONE! TWO! THREE! FOUR!
Both grapplers make a clean break. There isn't any shoving. There's no cheap shots or sucker punches. Sparrow simple backs up towards the center of the ring and allows for Techniques to come out of the corner.
Kris Cruise: Neither man was able to gain an advantage there.
Stephy Auger: It's a shame that Sparrow didn't sucker punch him when he had the chance.
Kris Cruise: Stop it, Stephy.
Techniques nods to Sparrow before circling the ring. He then stops and sizes up the U.S. Champion before heading back over for a lock up. Sparrow quickly takes control with a side headlock before bringing Techniques down to the mat with a side headlock takeover. Techniques quickly reverses into a grounded headscissors before Sparrow escapes with a kip up. Techniques scrambles back to a vertical base before Sparrow brings him back down with another side headlock takeover. Techniques reverses into another grounded headscissors before Sparrow escapes with a kip up. After Techniques scrambles back to his feet, Sparrow brings him back down with yet another side headlock takeover. NO! Techniques blocks, grabs Sparrow and counters with a belly to back suplex. NO! Sparrow rolls over the shoulder, lands on his feet, takes control of Techniques' back and counters with a belly to back suplex of his own. NO! Techniques rolls over his shoulder, lands on his feet, turns and hits the ropes. Techniques returns off the rebound before Sparrow dives over towards his legs and drops to a prone position. Techniques hops over the trip attempt before continuing to run the ropes. When Techniques comes back, Sparrow pops back to his feet and leap frogs over him. Techniques continues to run the ropes. When Techniques comes back, Sparrow remains facing away from him before executing another leap frog. Techniques runs the ropes. Techniques returns off the rebound before Sparrow hits another leapfrog. After Techniques comes off the ropes, Sparrow executes a leg split, leans back and goes for an inverted monkey flip. The crowd cheers as Techniques rotates and lands on his feet before continuing to run the ropes. When Techniques comes off the ropes, he comes to a stop as Sparrow returns to his feet with a kip up before running past him towards the same set of ropes. When Techniques turns around, Sparrow comes back and delivers a running hurricanrana. Techniques cartwheels out of it before running the ropes. The Funky Technician returns off the rebound and goes for a running hurricanrana of his own. Sparrow cartwheels out of it. Sparrow turns to face Techniques before The Funky Technician rushes over and throws out a spinning front leg sweep. Sparrow front flips over the strike attempt with ease. Techniques gets back to his feet and nearly gets caught with a leaping lariat, but The Funky Technician wisely turns and drops down to the mat. Both men are now on all fours before they flip over, return to their face and face each other. Both grapplers are met with standing applause after the stalemate.
Kris Cruise: Once again, neither man was able to gain the advantage.
Stephy Auger: These two know each other like the backs of their hands.
Sparrow and Techniques nod as they step away from each other. Both grapplers circle the ring. They then size each other up before pushing forward and engaging in another collar-and-elbow. Sparrow gains the advantage with another side headlock. Techniques then takes Sparrow and moves him into the near ropes before shoving him off into the far ropes. Sparrow returns off the rebound before knocking Techniques down with a standing shoulder block. He then turns and takes off into another set of ropes. Techniques returns to his feet with a kip up before Sparrow knocks him back down with another running shoulder block. The West Indian Whirlwind takes off into another set of ropes. Techniques scrambles back to his feet before Sparrow drops him with yet another running shoulder block. The cheers continue as Sparrow takes off into the last set of ropes. Techniques gets back to his feet and leapfrogs over Sparrow, but Sparrow slams on the brakes right behind him. The moment Techniques lands on his feet and turns around, Sparrow knocks him off his feet with a dropkick. Techniques returns to his feet before getting returned to the mat with another dropkick. Sparrow sets up for an irish before Techniques quickly reverses. The US Champion returns off the rebound before he ducks a clothesline attempt. After Sparrow runs the ropes, he comes back and ducks a back elbow from the 15 Champion. Sparrow continues to run the ropes. When he comes back, he brings Techniques down with a running hurricanrana. Techniques gets back to his feet, turns around and gets knocked through the ropes to the floor with a front dropkick!
Kris Cruise: Sparrow won that round.
Stephy Auger: Yeah, and now he might take it to the air.
After Techniques gets up on the outside, Sparrow hits the far ropes. The US Champion picks up speed as he runs across the ring before hurling himself over the top rope with Air Sparrow (Fosbury Flop). The crowd gasps when Techniques dives in at the last second, but Sparrow's able to avoid crashing & burning by landing safely on his feet. The moment Sparrow hops back onto the apron, The West Indian Whirlwind stops in his tracks when Techniques takes a page out of his book by giving him the Rock Lee pose. Sparrow can help but to smirk and offer up a nod.
Stephy Auger: TJ just gave him a taste of his own medicine.
As soon as Sparrow slingshots himself back into the ring, Techniques runs over to attack. Sparrow goes to catch him with a hip toss, but Techniques bounces off the ropes, rebounds back, lands on his feet and quickly yanks Sparrow down with an arm drag. Sparrow returns to his feet with a kip up, runs back over and gets thrown down with an arm drag. The US Champion scrambles back to a vertical base before Techniques brings him down with a japanese arm drag. Techniques hits the far ropes. When TJ comes back, he brings Sparrow down with a wheelbarrow arm drag. Sparrow gets back to his feet and turns around before Techniques runs over and delivers an overflow arm drag. The momentum from the move sends Sparrow rolling underneath the bottom rope before falling to the floor.
Kris Cruise: Now it's TJ that's in control.
Stephy Auger: Sparrow wasn't able to hit whatever dive he was aiming for to the outside. Will TJ hit his?
Back inside, Techniques bounces on the balls of his feet while he waves his arms up and down. The crowd is at a fever pitch as The Funky Technician hits the far ropes. Techniques picks up speed on the way back before taking a page out of Sparrow's book with a Fosbury Flop! The crowd gasps when Sparrow dives back in at the last second. Techniques is able to land on his feet before his momentum sends him stumbling against the announce table. Techniques runs back over, hops onto the apron and gets caught with a shoulder thrust through the ropes. Sparrow takes control of Techniques and goes to bring him back inside with a vertical suplex, only for Techniques to slip down from behind before countering with an O'Connor Roll.
ONE!
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TWO!
.
.
Sparrow kicks out, sending Techniques into the ropes. Techniques returns before Sparrow returns to his feet with a kip up before bringing him down with a hurricanrana! He reaches back and hooks a leg.
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
Techniques kicks out.
Sparrow picks up Techniques and delivers an arm wrench. Techniques finds himself on the receiving end of another arm wrench. After turning down a chance to quit, Techniques rolls forward, leans back, kips up and reverses into an arm wrench of his own. Immediately after the arm wrench, Sparrow rolls forward, spins over onto his knees, flips back over to his feet, turns, tucks his head underneath Techniques's arm and goes for a release Northern Lights Suplex! The cheers continue as Techniques lands on his feet before hitting the ropes. When Techniques returns, he gets knocked off his feet with a jumping sidekick! Sparrow drops down for the cover.
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
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Techniques kicks out.
Kris Cruise: A nearfall there from Sparrow. This match has been back and forth. I don't think you could find two people on the roster more evenly matched than Sparrow and TJ Techniques.
Sparrow takes Techniques, brings him into the corner and delivers multiple corner chest kicks. He then delivers an irish whip and follows Techniques across the ring. Instead of crashing into the corner, Techniques executes a Tiger Wall Flip out of the corner. Sparrow slams on the brakes, turns and runs over to Techniques before The Funky Technician drops him with a Rolling Koppu Kick! The cheers continue as he makes the cover.
ONE!
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.
TWO!
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Sparrow kicks out.
Techniques brings the action into the corner before hitting Sparrow with a series of knife edge chops. He follows up with a a loud Shotei that rocks the US Champion. Techniques then takes Sparrow, delivers an irish whip and follows him across the ring. The cheers continue as Techniques hits a cartwheel into a corner back elbow! NO! Sparrow catches Techniques in mid air.
Kris Cruise: Uh oh!
Stephy Auger: This isn't good for TJ!
Sparrow takes a few steps forward before chucking Techniques into the turnbuckles with a release German Suplex!
Kris Cruise: What a suplex from the US Champion! A German right into the turnbuckles!
Stephy Auger: That'll definitely take something out of TJ.
Techniques holds the back of his neck with both hands before rolling away from the corner. Sparrow pulls him back up, snapmares him over and delivers multiple soccer kicks to the back before taking off into the far ropes. When Sparrow returns, he flattens Techniques with a Penalty Kick. NO! Techniques blocks the kick by wrapping his arms around Sparrow's leg. Sparrow tries to rip his leg free, but it's to no avail. After Techniques returns to his feet, Sparrow continues to hop on one leg until as enzuigiri sends Techniques flipping down to the mat. Sparrow turns Techniques over and pulls him up to his knees before taking off into the ropes. When Sparrow returns, he knocks Techniques down with a Penalty Kick right to the face! He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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Techniques gets the shoulder up.
Sparrow takes Techniques, heads back into the corner and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle. After turning Techniques around, Sparrow catches him with multiple corner chest kicks. The thud from each kick echoes throughout the arena. Techniques continues to get caught with kick after kick until the last kick drops him down to a knee. Sparrow then backs up... before rushing forward and cracking him over the head with Love TKO (Shining axe kick on an opponent against the corner turnbuckle)! The cheers continue as Sparrow pushes Techniques over and makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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T-NO!
Techniques gets his foot on the bottom rope.
Sparrow immediately steps over Techniques and takes advantage of his foot being on the bottom rope by hitting a seated leg senton!
Stephy Auger: That's what I want to see, Sparrow! Take out his leg!
The crowd cheers as Sparrow hits Techniques with a second seated leg senton!
Stephy Auger: Yes! Do it again!
Sparrow goes for a third when Techniques uses his free leg to push Sparrow while he's in mid air, sending The West Indian Whirlwind tumbling over the top to the floor.
Kris Cruise: TJ bought himself a little time with that counter.
Techniques turns over on all fours before slowly crawling over towards the center of the ring. After putting one foot down on the mat, he slowly starts to pick himself up. The Funky Technician tries to walk off the pain until Sparrow leaps off the top rope and connects with a shotgun dropkick to the back of the head! The cheers continue as Techniques stumbles forward before tumbling through the ropes to the floor.
Kris Cruise: Back to the outside goes Techniques. After a back and forth affair, I think it's safe to say that Sparrow is clearly in control here.
Stephy Auger: It was only going to be a matter of time until Sparrow showed why he's better.
On the outside, Techniques gets up on all fours before trying to shake out the cobwebs. Once Techniques finally picks himself back up and turns around, the crowd cheers as Sparrow flips over the top rope and knocks Techniques down with Air Sparrow!
Kris Cruise: Sparrow just wiped out TJ on the outside!
Sparrow pulls Techniques up to all fours before rolling back inside. The West Indian Whirlwind crouches down and waits patiently for Techniques to get into position. When The Funky Technician starts to try and get back to a vertical base, Sparrow turns and takes off into the ropes. When the US Champion returns, he runs across the ring, hurls himself through the ropes and sends both him and Techniques rolls across the announce table with a suicide crossbody!
Stephy Auger: WHAT THE HELL!?
Sparrow picks up Techniques before stopping in is tracks. He looks down at the announce table, then over towards the ring, then back down at the announce table, then up towards the ropes.
Kris Cruise: You can see the wheels turning in Sparrow's head.
Sparrow takes Techniques and rolls him onto the table before quickly running back over and sliding back into the ring.
Kris Cruise: This doesn't look good, Stephy.
Stephy Auger: He would've taken us out with that dive if we didn't jump out of the way at the last second. What else could h have in mind?
The crowd murmur while Sparrow hits the far ropes. When Sparrow returns off the rebound, the crowd explodes with cheers after he runs back across the ring, springboards to the top rope, leaps off and puts Techniques through the table with a guillotine leg drop!!!
Stephy Auger: GAH!
"HOLY SHIT!"
"HOLY SHIT!"
"HOLY SHIT!"
"HOLY SHIT!"
Kris Cruise: GOOD GOD! LOOK AT THE BODIES! LOOK AT THE CARNAGE!
Both grapplers remains sprawled out amongst the debris. Three seconds pass before Sparrow starts to stir. The ref heads over and checks on both grapplers. Sparrow's able to slowly turn over to all fours. Techniques, meanwhile, remains motionless on his back.
Stephy Auger: TJ hasn't moved an inch!
Sparrow slowly gets back to his feet. He sits Techniques up, hooks his arms underneath Techniques' and drags him back towards the side of the ring. The Funky Technician is pulled up before getting pushed back in underneath the bottom rope. Sparrow rolls back inside and makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!
The crowd applauds when Techniques gets his foot on the bottom rope.
Sparrow grabs Techniques, drags him over towards the center of the ring and makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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THR-NO!
Techniques gets the shoulder up.
Kris Cruise: TJ barely got his shoulder up in time.
Stephy Auger: He doesn't have much left in him. I can tell.
Sparrow turns Techniques over into the prone position before delivering a hard stomp to the back. He then crouches down and hooks Techniques' arms from behind to place him in a Chickenwing Camel Clutch
Kris Cruise: Bass Reeves Special!
Techniques starts to yell out in pain as soon as he's placed in the hold. The ref asks him if he wants to give up. Techniques refuses. He tries to reach out for the ropes with his legs, but he's nowhere near them. Sparrow continues to work over Techniques with the hold. The Funky Technician gets asked again if he wants to give up. When he refuses, Sparrow pulls back, increasing the pressure of the submission.
Stephy Auger: He mind as well quit while he's well behind. He has to remember that there's still a Rumble he has to compete in. For all we know, he could've drawn number one.
Techniques continues to writhe in pain. He tries to wrestle his arms free, but Sparrow keeps him held in place. TJ starts to kick his legs in frustration. The Funky Technician gets asked again if he wants to give up. Techniques refuses.
Kris Cruise: TJ will not give up.
Stephy Auger: Well he's either going to tap out or pass out.
The capacity crowd remains at a fever pitch as dueling chants continue to be shouted out from the crowd.
"SPARROW!"
"TJ!"
"SPARROW!"
"TJ!"
"SPARROW!"
"TJ!"
Kris Cruise: This capacity crowd is evenly split between both grapplers.
When Techniques refuses to quit again, Sparrow keeps his arms held from behind while pulling him back to his feet. From there, the crowd gasps and cheers when Techniques nearly gets dumped on the back of his neck with a bridging Tiger Suplex!
ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!
The crowd applauds when Techniques slips out.
Techniques slowly pushes himself up to all fours before Sparrow flattens him with a Switchblade Kick. He then drags Techniques over to the corner before pulling him back to his feet. After Techniques gets sat on the top rope facing away from the ring, Sparrow scales the turnbuckles.
Stephy Auger: What's he going for her? Back suplex?
Sparrow takes control of Techniques' back before throwing him down with the Izuna Drop (Spider Suplex)! NO! The crowd gasps, then cheers when Techniques rotates and lands on his feet. Sparrow tries to sit back up, but Techniques is quick enough to run over and catch Sparrow while he's hanging upside down with a running solebutt kick to the torso. Sparrow gets caught with a shoot kick before getting hit with another solebutt kick to the torso. The thud from a third solebutt kick echoes throughout the arena. Sparrow remains helpless as he hangs upside down. The crowd starts to murmur as Techniques runs over into the far corner. The Funky Technician ricochets off the turnbuckles, runs back across the ring, leaps into the air and knocks Sparrow down with a hesitation dropkick! He pushes Sparrow over and makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!
Sparrow reaches up and grabs the bottom rope.
Kris Cruise: Good ring awareness there by Sparrow.
Stephy Auger: I thought he had Sparrow dead to rights. But it looks like he caught his second wind.
Techniques pulls Sparrow back to his feet and pushes him up against the ropes. He delivers a stinging knife edge chop before blasting him with a Shotei. Sparrow gets cracked with another knife edge chop before another Shotei snaps his head to the side. He then takes Sparrow and sends him for the ride. No! Sparrow reverses. Techniques returns off the rebound and sees Sparrow setting up for a back body drop. So he hurdles over the US Champion before continuing to run the ropes. When Techniques comes back, he delivers a tilt-a-whirl headscissors takeover. Sparrow gets back to his feet, turns around and gets knocked into the corner with a running Rolling Koppu Kick!
Sparrow remains in a seated position while Techniques hits an adjacent set of ropes. The crowd cheers when Techniques comes back and blasts Sparrow with the Buck 50 (running facewash)! Techniques reaches down, picks up Sparrow and places him in a front facelock. The cheers continue as Techniques glides backwards towards the center of the ring before planting him with a Moonwalk DDT! He makes the cover.
ONE!
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TWO!
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TH-NO!
The crowd applauds when Sparrow gets the shoulder up.
Techniques picks up Sparrow and places him in another front facelock. He starts to glide backwards for another Moonwalk DDT until Sparrow grabs him, runs forward and rams him back-first into the corner. Sparrow then pulls him out of the corner before hitting a bridging Northern Lights Suplex! The ref goes down to make the count until Sparrow floats over, pulls Techniques back up and hits a second bridging Northern Lights Suplex! The official drops back down to count until Sparrow floats over and pulls Techniques back up. Instead of going for a third suplex, he lets go on Techniques, leaps high into the air and drives him down with a Standing Double Foot Stomp to an explosion of cheers!
Kris Cruise: The Notorious K.I.C.K.! That's got to be it!
ONE!
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TWO!
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THRE-NO!
The crowd gasps, then cheers when Techniques gets his shoulder up.
Stephy Auger: How was that not three!?
Sparrow pulls Techniques back to his feet. He quickly takes control of the 15 Champion's back before bringing him down with a bridging German Suplex! The ref goes for a count before Sparrow rolls over, pulls Techniques back to his feet and hits a second bridging German. After Sparrow rolls over and pulls Techniques back up, the crowd cheers when he heaves Techniques over his head with a release German, sending Techniques partially rotating before bouncing out of the corner.
Kris Cruise: Another hard suplexes into the turnbuckles from Sparrow.
The Funky Technician falls to the mat while Sparrow steps out to the apron. The West Indian Whirlwind scales the turnbuckles. Once he makes it to the top, the fans in attendance stand up while Sparrow slowly rises to his feet from a crouched position. Shrieks are heard as he leaps off before crushing Techniques with The Notorious K.I.C.K. II (Top Rope Double Foot Stomp)!
NO!
Techniques rolls out of the way in time. After Sparrow lands on his feet, his momentum sends him rolling forward. Sparrow rolls back to his feet, turns and quickly charges over at TJ. The Funky Technician is quick to side step and push Sparrow into the ropes before throwing him down with a rebound snap German Suplex! Sparrow momentum sends him rolling backwards onto his knees before Techniques runs over and knocks him down with Set 'Em Straight (Busaiku Knee Strike) to an explosion of cheers! He makes the cover.
Kris Cruise: THAT'S IT! TJ'S GOT THE COVER!
ONE!
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TWO!
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THREE!
Stephy Auger: NO!
The crowd cheers when Sparrow get the shoulder up at 2.99!
Kris Cruise: How much closer can you get!?
Techniques heads back over and pulls Sparrow back to his feet. After catching Sparrow with right forearm strike, he hits Sparrow with a left open hand slap, a shoot kick to the right leg, a right spinning back fist and then a discus clothesline that tuns Sparrow inside out! NO! Sparrow ducks the clothesline, hooks Techniques' arms from behind and brings him down with a release Tiger Suplex! NO! Techniques rotates and lands on his feet! He runs over and throws out a discus forearm! He whiffs when Sparrow ducks! Techniques turns around and nearly gets caught with a roundhouse kick, but he swats it away. Techniques throws out a kick to the midsection. Sparrow quickly catches the kick before Techniques drops him with a Dragon Whip that sends spittle flying out of his mouth! Techniques stays down in the prone position while Sparrow is splayed out on the mat. Both grapplers are once again met with standing applause from the crowd.
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
"THIS IS AWESOME!"
*CLAP-CLAP, CLAP-CLAP-CLAP*
Kris Cruise: We are witnessing one hell of a fight, ladies and gentlemen.
Stephy Auger: Imagine if they DIDN'T like each other!
Both grapplers stir on the mat before turning to face each other. After both grapplers grab onto each other and slowly help themselves back to their feet, Techniques strikes first with a Shotei. Sparrow turns back to Techniques before getting caught with another Shotei. A forearm strike connects. A second forearm strike finds its mark. The Funky Technician once again goes for Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em (Phenomenal Blitz)! The crowd cheers as he connects with the combo, turning Sparrow inside out with the discus clothesline to complete the combination. Sparrow is down in the prone position as Techniques slowly staggers over towards the ropes. He then steps out to the apron before waving Sparrow up. The crowd tries to rally behind the US Champion as he struggles to push himself off the mat. Once Sparrow is finally back to a vertical base, Techniques knocks him down with the Technical Elbow (Phenomenal Elbow)!
NO!
Sparrow counters with a jumping sidekick in mid air!
The cheers continue as Sparrow crawls over and makes the cover.
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THR-NO!
The crowd applauds when Techniques gets the shoulder up.
Sparrow walks across the ring before stepping out to the apron. The West Indian Whirlwind walks across the apron over to the ring post. He starts to scale the turnbuckles. As soon as Sparrow gets one foot on the top turnbuckle, the crowd erupts with cheers as Techniques scrambles backs to his feet, darts over, leaps up and brings him down with a rope bounce Spanish Fly off the top turnbuckle! He makes the cover.
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THRE-NO!
The crowd applauds when Sparrow gets the shoulder up.
Kris Cruise: I swore TJ had him there! Unreal!
Techniques picks up Sparrow and whips into the corner. The crowd cheers as The Funky Technician runs across the ring and blasts Sparrow with a springboard spinning back kick to the face. NO! Techniques whiffs when Sparrow ducks the kick. He then takes TJ and slams him face-first into the top turnbuckle while the crowd counts along.
"ONE!"
"TWO!"
"THREE!"
"FOUR!"
"FIVE!"
"SIX!"
"SEVEN!"
"EIGHT!"
"NINE!"
"TEN!"
The cheers continue as Sparrow hoists himself up onto the middle ropes, grabs Techniques and plants him with a Tornado DDT! NO! Techniques pushes him off in mid air. After Sparrow lands on his feet, Techniques runs over to attack before getting stopped with the Leaf Hurricane (Counter Scorpion Kick followed by a Pelé Kick)! Techniques remains dazed while Sparrow hits the ropes. The West Indian Whirlwind returns off the rebound before Techniques knocks him off his feet with the Shaolin Sidekick (Harlem Sidekick)! The crowd cheers Techniques drags Sparrow into position before he turns and heads into the corner. Techniques scales to the top, flips off and connects with Don’t Sweat The Technique (Corkscrew Somersault Guillotine Leg Drop)!
NO!
Sparrow rolls out of the way! Techniques crashes hard in a seated position and catches nothing but canvas!
Kris Cruise: HE MISSED!
Stephy Auger: Nobody was home, Cruise!
Sparrow grabs Techniques and drags him over towards the corner before stepping out to the apron. The crowd is at a fever pitch as Sparrow scales the turnbuckles. As soon as Techniques starts to sit up, Sparrow leaps off from the top and flattens him with The Notorious K.I.C.K. II!!! He makes the cover.
ONE!
.
.
TWO!
.
.
THREE!
The crowd explodes with cheers as "Gold Watch" blasts over the PA!
Melanie Sierra: Here is your winner, SPARROW!
The cheers continue as Sparrow gets his arm raised in victory.
Post-match, Sparrow needs down and tends to Techniques. He pats his friend on the chest before slowly helping him back to his feet. Sparrow puts his arm around the 15 Champion before staring out at the crowd. Both champions are met with cheers and applause. Sparrow then holds Techniques arm up as they walk around the ring. Techniques shake his head before taking Sparrow's arm, raising it and circling the ring.
Kris Cruise: Incredible. Absolutely incredible. That match didn't just live up to expectations, Stephy, but it surpassed them. Those two went out there and put on a show for the ages. Stephy, you made a comment about imagining what would happen if they didn't like each other. If that was the fight that two friends gave each other, then I could only imagine how much harder they'd go against people they'd didn't like. Sparrow gets the win here tonight. But in a lot of people's minds, they're both winners after that display in the ring. You should be proud of yourselves, gentlemen.
After Sparrow and Techniques roll to the outside, they're given their respective championships before making their way up the ramp together.