The PWA logo flashes onto the screen before showing some
of the most memorable moments in Overdrive history, including Romeo winning the
Progressive Championship in the first match of the show’s history, Kayne defeating Jade to capture the Women’s Title in
February of 2003, Jaguar defeating Greg Tantalus in its first PWA Championship
match, and the duo of Camieko and Jade beating Lauren Tantalus and Dee Licious
in it’s last matchup. A new opening montage takes
over and the familiar sounds of The Foo Fighters’
“All My Life” begins as we are taken inside the legendary Madison Square
Garden, where the crowd is going crazy and a huge pyrotechnics show gives way
to Nick Cade and Rick Madsen.
Cade:
For the first time since
Madsen:
Absolutely Nick! I’m thrilled to be here in my hometown of
Cade:
Not to mention Vulture’s return to the ring against Jackie Baccaro, the
Elimination Chamber International Title match, and Speed Demon and Bishop Cross
trying to bury one another alive, but we cannot forget tonight’s big two
matches. For a spot in tonight’s Tag Team Title triple threat match, Paul Epton
will team with former Legacy member Kris Anthony against The
Legacy duo of Darrin Giles and Infernus!
Madsen:
That’s huge, but I can’t wait for the huge Women’s Gauntlet match as well.
Seven of the top women in this company will compete for bragging rights, among
them Dee Licious, Jade, Camieko and Lauren Tantalus. Jade and Camieko won the
last match on this show in April of 2004, and we know Lauren and Dee will be
focused on avenging that in their own right, but throw Michelle, Keiko Ishida
and Liz Rush into the mix and we’re gonna have a huge tossup as to who will win
that one!
Cade:
I can’t wait another moment; let’s kick this night off right!
“Map of the Problematique” by
Muse takes to the speakers, and the jam packed, capacity crowd cheers for the
duo of Kris Anthony and Paul Epton as they break the seal on the evening by
being the first superstars to climb into the ring tonight. They get there
quickly and hop up on the turnbuckles, looking very excited at the opportunity
they are about to receive.
Cade:
This is a big match for these two young guys. The winning team in this match
will enter Everlasting Epic as the final team in the triple threat match
between TFU and Alpha Omega, with the winners later facing the champions,
Bodycount and Mike Troha.
Madsen:
Epton won tag gold last year in
As they prepare, Earshot’s “Control” takes over, and so
do the boos as Justin Schenck leads his tandem of
Infernus and Darrin Giles to the ring.
Cade:
You’re right about that Rick. They might not be very experienced as a tag team,
and neither are Anthony and Epton, and Giles and Infernus have won several
singles titles in their careers.
* PWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES QUALIFYING MATCH: PAUL EPTON
& KRIS ANTHONY VS. DARRIN GILES & INFERNUS *
Referee: Jason Church
The Legacy climbs into the ring and eyes up their
opponents with threatening stares that Epton and former Legacy member Anthony
only return. As the smoke clears, Epton and Giles are left inside the ring to
start the match. Referee Jason Church asks for the bell and the match gets
underway as both men circle the ring and lock up in the center.
Giles pushes Epton back into a corner at the outset and
Church gets in between them to break them up. Giles pretends to give a clean
break before backing out slowly and sticking Epton with a cheap elbow to the
cheek! Giles then grabs him by the arm to pull him out before connecting with a
hard, short clothesline! He covers for a quick 1 and 2 before Epton kicks out,
and a tag to Infernus follows.
Cade:
Infernus and Giles are in control early.
Madsen:
They need to keep Epton and Anthony grounded. Allowing them to get into the air
will bring big problems for The Legacy.
Infernus hops into the ring and quickly goes to work on
Epton with a punch to the head and a kick to the ribs that puts him back down.
Infernus takes his time in getting Epton off the mat before positioning him for
a DDT, but the young Brit escapes by driving Infernus
back-first into a corner.
Epton chops Infernus in the chest before mounting the
turnbuckles to lay into him with punches. The crowd chants as Epton connects,
but he only reaches five shots as Infernus drops him with snake eyes across the
top turnbuckle! The blow is just a grazing one, but its
enough to put Epton down and force another tag to Giles.
The former Progressive Champion gets back in and grabs
Epton by the legs. Looking to deliver a slingshot, Giles falls back and shoots
Epton into the turnbuckles, but the youngster shows exceptional agility as he
lands on the middle turnbuckle with ease. Giles gets up wondering what
happened, and he soon finds out as Epton jumps and twists in mid-air to nail
him with a tornado DDT!
Cade:
What an incredible DDT from Epton!
Madsen:
It’s Everlasting Epic, and with this being the final night, everybody is
letting it all hang out!
Epton rolls to his corner and finally brings in Kris
Anthony, who gets a sizeable pop as he hops over the top rope. A dizzy Giles
gets up, but is mowed right back down by the
Epton follows Infernus out of the ring, keeping him at
bay as Anthony and Giles slowly rise. Giles tries to deliver a kick, but
Anthony catches his leg and spins him around, right into position for The Flatliner, but Schenck hops up onto the apron to divert his
attention!
Anthony hesitates for a second, and that is enough for
Giles to escape with an elbow to the temple. Anthony stumbles forward and
Schenck spins him around to grab him by the arms for an attack from Giles. He
charges forward to nail Anthony, but the former Natural breaks free and Schenck
takes the brunt of the blow! The Legacy’s leader falls from the apron and Giles
turns around in anguish before being driven face-first into the mat with The Flatliner! Anthony covers for one…two…three!
Cade:
That does it! Anthony and Epton are moving on to a chance at a tag title shot!
“Map of the Problematique”
plays again to a rousing ovation as Anthony and Epton are victorious, and they
celebrate.
* WINNERS VIA PINFALL: PAUL EPTON & KRIS ANTHONY *
Madsen:
And anything can happen, especially on a night like
this. If they keep performing at the same level they did in this match, they
could shock the world and take home the gold.
Cade:
Maybe so, but not everything will have a happy ending tonight. In fact, one
match that is sure to have a gruesome ending is the first-ever buried alive
casket match between Bishop Cross and Speed Demon. If you look past us at our
table, behind the crowd on this side of the arena, there is a mound of dirt
with a casket next to it and a hole six feet deep. In
order to win, either Bishop Cross or Speed Demon will have to put the other in
the casket, seal it, and bury their opponent by shoveling that dirt onto him.
Madsen:
We know that The Army of The Damned went way over the line by what they did to
Dana Chapman a few months ago, they basically removed her from Speed Demon’s
life, just because they felt like it. But this match is going way too far, in
my opinion. We’re talking about a burial! We know what happens when somebody
gets buried Nick.
Cade:
Yes we do, but it has gone that far between those two men and it will be a
sight to see later on tonight. Let’s take a closer look at this war of absolute
hatred.
A video package begins to roll, highlighting the events
that have taken place between Speed Demon and Bishop Cross between late last summer into this one. Included are the dreadful attack on
Dana Chapman by the Army of The Damned, followed by Speed Demon’s response to it,
only to be brutally injured himself by Cross, Loki and Reaper at Fallen Souls.
It then shows the highs of The Army’s reign of terror, only for Speed Demon to
return to the PWA with a vengeance in May. As it wraps up, we are shown Speed
Demon breaking the neck of his partner Reaper to end his career at the Symphony
of Destruction, followed by the vicious assault he took out on Loki in a barbed
wire steel cage match at Meltdown that ended his career. The package finally
concludes after showing Bishop Cross bringing Chapman back to set up Speed
Demon for an attack and the words of hatred from both men that have now brought
them to
Cornelius:
Bishop Cross, I cannot believe that after watching that video package, you can
stand here smiling. You could be just a short number of hours away from perhaps
being buried alive here tonight! What gives?
Cross:
It’s simple Scott. You do not understand me at all. Frankly, no one here does,
especially Speed Demon. He issued this challenge to me for a buried alive
casket match, but what does he really know about the dark side that I lurk on?
I have said for weeks on end that this type of environment is what I live for.
I thrive in this world, and the idea of me beating Speed Demon to a bloody pulp
and then dumping his useless body into a casket for him never to be seen again
really excites me.
Cornelius:
It may, but Speed Demon is 2-for-2 in his quest to dismantle your Army of The Damned. In fact, there is no more Army, since he has
already rid the PWA of Loki and Reaper.
Cross:
What’s your point? I’ve been the main behind the mischief for over a year now,
and I could care less that he defeated my minions. Speed Demon will realize
that there will be no underlings tonight. Now, he gets the top of the food
chain, and not only will I devour him out there; I will bury his pitiful
remains.
The camera closes in on the grinning, painted face of
Cross before cutting to a backstage hallway
to show two black boots, complete with TFU lettering, before panning up
to reveal Mike Griffin and Greg Tantalus themselves.
Tantalus:
We will, eventually. But its not the last time we’ll
wrestle and we have to win two matches to regain the titles.
Voice:
Is that so?
The camera cuts left, where The Hot Boy$ and Camieko are
entering the building. Romeo again lends his voice.
Romeo:
Pardon me if I’m wrong, but I think I just heard you two claim
to be the greatest team of all time. Is that what I heard Jag?
Jaguar:
I think I heard it too cuz.
Jaguar:
And how do you figure that?
Tantalus:
Simple. Once we win tonight, we will become four-time PWA Tag Team Champions.
Romeo:
Been there, done that.
Jaguar:
It’s not your fault that you can’t after tonight, but assuming you do win the
titles, at least we defended in all four of our title runs.
Romeo:
Actually, we did. Don’t you remember King of The Ring:
Armageddon? We won whose belts that night? Oh yeah, we won the CAW Titles from
GI Jew and Justice.
Jaguar:
And wait, didn’t we also beat the
Griffin:
I was there, and it was nice, but you weren’t beating Mike
Troha in a Hell In The Cell match like Greg was, and you surely weren’t
beating Vulture in a title for title Ironman match
that changed the course of this business entirely.
Romeo:
True, but when we all came back two months later, we were here, beating you two
to win the first PWA Tag Titles at Everlasting Epic.
Griffin:
Yeah, but you weren’t winning the World Championship from Jason Calysto at
Everlasting Epic the next year.
Jaguar:
No, we were busy winning another tag team title here and I’ll beat Jay for the
same belt tonight. And actually, wasn’t I beating you the following year at
Everlasting Epic?
Tantalus:
Not like how I beat him last year at Everlasting Epic!
The conversation stops briefly before all four burst
into laughter, sans a perplexed
Romeo:
Well, all that aside. We’ve got our eight tag titles, and we hope you guys
handle your business and number six to the mantle tonight. We’ve got separate
issues to get with.
Griffin:
We’ll handle ours, but you make sure you beat Failla’s
puny brain in tonight. And Jaguar, you better give Jay hell out there.
Tantalus:
That’s right man. With the fight you gave me in our last match, I know you’re
gonna be bringing the house to him. It’s gonna be a helluva
match. Good luck dude.
Jaguar:
Thanks, same to you guys. Bring home those belts.
The two legendary teams shake hands with each other
before turning to walk in separate directions, but both are shaking their heads
behind each other’s backs, knowing in their own minds that they are indeed the
best of all time as we head to our first break.
-COMMERCIAL BREAK-
Back from the break, we are brought backstage once more,
where Scott Cornelius is now with GI Jew and Justice.
Cornelius:
Guys, we just heard your names mentioned by the Hot Boy$ regarding the last
time you two teamed up in a pay-per-view match here in The Garden. On that
night, you lost the CAW Tag Team Titles. How can you prevent another loss
tonight, especially not knowing who Scythe has chosen as a mystery partner?
Jew:
Just shut the hell up! We don’t care what the Hot Boy$ said and I don’t wanna hear any more crap about it! Now,
onto Scythe. He accepted our challenge and was so gung ho about doing
so, but we know for a fact, he has no partner tonight.
Cornelius:
But how?
Justice:
None of your business, but think about it stupid. You saw what we did to Billy
Chan last month, not that he was any threat anyway. But the entire PWA roster
is already booked for the night. Do you know anyone around here willing to
screw up their final PWA event by stupidly helping Scythe, only to get beat
down anyway? I sure don’t.
Jew:
That’s right. That Jap can talk all he wants, but we know he has no partner.
And if he wants to go out and do the “honorable” thing and get massacred in a
handicap match, then so be it. All I can tell you is that we will not lose in
our hometown. We are going to destroy Scythe just like we did the other Jap and
make sure he is never, ever seen again.
The camera abruptly cuts back to the announce table,
where Cade and Madsen are waiting.
Cade:
Folks, we do apologize for those distasteful remarks that have become
commonplace for GI Jew, but that was definitely an interesting debate between
TFU and The Hot Boy$ moments ago.
Madsen:
Definitely was. If you ask me, they are unquestionably the greatest two tag
teams of all time, and I wish we could see them mix it up once more.
Cade: As do I, but TFU and Jaguar aren’t the only superstars
striving for gold tonight. We are gonna see six men compete in that Elimination
Chamber above us to determine who will be the final International Champion.
Take a look at what led up to this unique and dangerous matchup.
A video package takes over, highlighting the events
swirling around the International Championship since June. It shows James
Biamonte winning the title from Showtime Damon Savage at Symphony of
Destruction, followed by his subsequent loss to Renegade on Frequency. Renegade
is then shown losing the title at Meltdown, thanks to a miscue from Savage, and
Mike Grieco is shown turning on Biamonte to cost him a title shot in the same
match, and that section concludes with Liz Rush helping Dexter P. Wellington
pin Paul Dawkins to claim the gold. Renegade is then shown turning on Dawkins,
and the wild melees from the past few weeks of Frequency, complete with Helen
Summers signing the Elimination Chamber match bring the package to a close.
Once it’s done, we are shown Traci Reed, who is with Dawkins.
Reed:
Paul, it has really been a topsy-turvy month and change for you, but you can
right some serious wrongs tonight if you can leave The Elimination Chamber
victorious.
Dawkins:
I feel like I have to Traci. I need to win this match; there is no alternative
for me. In the past month, I’ve lost my girlfriend, I’ve lost who I thought was
my best friend, and I’ve lost too many chances to reclaim the International
title. Looking at the facts, I know I’m not as popular as Showtime Damon
Savage, I don’t have the brute strength of Mike Grieco, I’m not as cunning and
slimy as James Biamonte, I’m not as brash and arrogant as that jackass Renegade
is, and I certainly don’t have the money that Dex
Wellington does. But I know that out of those five guys, nobody can put it all
together in that ring like I can. I am the most complete athlete in the match,
and the cream always rises to the top Traci.
Reed:
We shall see, now let’s head to Scott Cornelius, who is with Showtime.
The crowd cheers as Cornelius is shown next to the pride
of
Cornelius:
Showtime, you can hear the crowd already. Last night, you won the most improved
superstar of the year award, previously won by Jackie Baccaro, and now you have
the opportunity to complete what you said you would do last night, and that is
to become the last International Champion in PWA history. But you have to go
through five other men and The Elimination Chamber to do it. Your
thoughts?
Savage:
It’s exciting Traci. I know this is the last night for
PWA, and that’s unfortunate, but I look for it as a chance of big opportunity.
I know my career isn’t over and I’ll catch on elsewhere, but what better way
for me to accomplish that than by becoming the only man to ever hold the
International Title three times? Think of all the greats that have held that
belt. We’re talking Romeo, Baccaro, Kerry Cox, GI Jew, Scythe, all of these top
guys that have gone on to World Championship fame, and of that bunch, none of
them have held it three times. I know what’s at stake tonight, and I know that Elimination
Chamber is probably the most dangerous environment a match could be held under,
but I’m not gonna sweat any of that. I’m gonna go out there, be myself and let
it all hang out. But when it’s all said and done, I guarantee you, it will be
Showtime!
Cornelius:
Alright Traci, back to you.
Reed is now at the interview position with Renegade, who
looks perturbed and annoyed, even through his Aviator shades as she speaks.
Reed:
Renegade, we just heard from two of your opponents this evening, and they both
seem very focused on leaving MSG with International
gold. What’s your take on it?
Renegade:
Traci, I am a pissed off man and I have a right to be. We’re hearing all these
names thrown around, but nobody is talking about me. Face it, if Showtime hadn’t
cost me the title at Meltdown, and Paul Dawkins hadn’t been holding me back all
these years, not only would I be the champion now, I’m sure I’d be the only
three-time champ in history. But that’s ok with me. I’ve proven it before and
I’ll prove it again. Renegade isn’t the guy to mess around with, and it looks
like five punk asses will have to find that out tonight. My only solace is that
it’s for the last time.
With that being said, Renegade storms off the set and we
are taken upstairs, to the board room of the New York Knicks.
A mahogany round table is in the middle of the darkened room, and seated around
it are Jackie Baccaro, Women’s Champion Magnifica, Rudy Montenora, Michelle,
Helen Summers, and the Tag Team Champions, Mike Troha and Bodycount. At the
forefront, wearing a crisp double-breasted suit is PWA President Bryan Conroy.
Conroy:
I know zero good decisions have come out of this room in recent years, but I’m
glad to see you all have made the proper decision by attending this meeting
tonight. Ladies and gentlemen, we all know what this is about. You saw what I
was put through last year at Everlasting Epic. Swindled, cheated, robbed and
removed from the company that I built from the ground up. Ripped
out of the company that allowed you to win some gold on two occasions
Bodycount, torn away from the company that allowed you to regain the level of
dominance that you have always known, Magnifica. I was stripped of the
company that allowed my cousin, The Miracle, to climb to the top of the
mountain and prove the critics wrong by becoming PWA Champion, and I was raped
of the company that saw you rise to superstardom, Jackie Baccaro. They have
tried for over a year to strip me of what is mine and I wasn’t gonna take it!
Now, we also know what has happened since, and that is why I have brought you
here tonight. I want you all the know that what we have helped build together
over the past few months, the misery of the PWA and its disgraceful fans, will
be all for naught if we drop the ball tonight. That can only be accomplished by
us banding together and winning our matches. We did not come this far to lose.
The time is upon us and we need to finish the deal and seal their fates. Are
you with me?! (In unison) Yeah! I
said are you with me?! (In unison) Yeah! Alright, then let’s go out, do what we
gotta do, and make this the most vengeful night in
the history of this God-forsaken company!
The group exits the room, feeling confident and
energized as we head to our second break.
-COMMERCIAL BREAK-
We return from the break to ringside.
Cade:
I simply can’t believe what Bryan Conroy has set out to do in recent months.
Here we are, on what
is already a somber occasion, and he has told the world exactly what he’s
about. He wants revenge for the way he was ousted last year, and he wants it at
all costs.
Madsen:
I think Conroy is like a jilted ex-lover, or a child that can’t have the cereal
that he wants. He’s crying over spilt milk when he signed that contract to
fight Kerry Cox a year ago, and now he’s making us all pay for the
repercussions of his loss.
Cade:
Well speaking of repercussions, we are going to see some serious ones in what
has been dubbed a “teacher versus student” grudge match. For the first time in
two years, Vulture will climb into a wrestling ring to have a match, but this
time, it’s against the man he trained so many years ago, the former PWA
Champion, Jackie Baccaro.
Madsen:
So much has happened between those two and I know Baccaro never expected
Vulture to bow up to him the way he has. Vulture has had spinal fusion surgery
and after his loss to Greg Tantalus two years ago at Everlasting Epic, nobody
thought he could or would compete.
Cade:
But Baccaro violently attacked Vulture this past April, after the man had
guided him to two World Championships. Baccaro then took home his third World
Title that month, without Vulture’s help, and went on to a tremendous reign.
But Vulture did return, and he did so in a big way.
A video clip begins to play, showcasing the highs and
lows of the partnership between Vulture and Jackie Baccaro. Baccaro is first
shown two years ago, inducting Vulture into the Progressive Entertainment Hall
of Fame, followed by Baccaro’s split with
championship partner Paul Dawkins. After that, Vulture is seen returning to the
PWA to assist Baccaro in defeating GI Jew before skyrocketing to the
International, ORA and finally, PWA Championships. The pair are shown
tomcatting all over Las Vegas and Atlantic City, living it up until Baccaro
loses the PWA Title in a controversial triple threat match. Baccaro then loses
in the finals of a championship tournament to Jason Calysto, and violently
turns against his mentor, putting him out of sight and mind for months. In the
meantime, Baccaro takes Magnifica on as his new manager and captures his second
PWA Championship. He goes on to a tremendous reign, downing Calysto, Mike
Griffin, and Greg Tantalus in successive high-profile wins, but it all comes
crashing down at Meltdown, when Morgan Day helps cost Baccaro the gold. Days
later, Vulture reveals himself to be behind the plot, and challenges Baccaro in
what will be his final match, here in the World’s Most Famous Arena. As the
package ends, we are taken to the interview area, where Traci Reed is with
Anthony Failla.
Reed:
Anthony, we just saw a video about two men you are very familiar with, Vulture
and Jackie Baccaro, but you were very conspicuous by your absence at Bryan
Conroy’s meeting earlier. Do you care to explain your whereabouts?
Failla:
Hell no, I don’t. If anybody knows what this night is all about, its me. I was only getting ready for what I have to do
tonight. Romeo cost me my chance to be in the main event, and for what? Just so
he can get his ass handed to him by me. He chooses to stand up for that broad
Camieko by getting bitched out here, in my city, on my turf? It was a dumb
mistake to make, and tonight, he’s gonna pay dearly for it. I guarantee it.
The camera closes in on a tight shot of Failla’s angry mug, before showing James Biamonte lacing
his boots as Jade stretches out in the background.
Biamonte:
I still can’t believe that I have to go through five guys, plus an Elimination
Chamber tonight in order to get my belt back.
Jade:
Yeah, but I know and you know that you can do it. You’re the greatest man to
ever wear that International belt, and you’re gonna do it again. Now, I’ve gotta get out there to win this gauntlet match and show
that I’m still the dominant female in this company. I was when it began and I
will be once it ends too.
Biamonte:
Damn right you will. I’m gonna get ready too, good luck.
As Jade exits, the shot cuts to a dressing room, where
Walter Gindin and The Machine are waiting with Scott Cornelius.
Cornelius:
Gentlemen, the night is upon us. We are at Everlasting Epic, and for the first
time in two years since his loss to Jason Calysto, you will compete at
Everlasting Epic Machine.
Gindin:
Yes he will, and I love it Scott. I love that my idea has now come to fruition.
Some people might call it vindictive, but put yourself
in my shoes Scott. Have you ever had a pet?
Cornelius:
Yes.
Gindin:
Well Solomon was my pet Scott. It was me who brought him to the mainland. Me
who brought him to this company and me who signed the deals for him to reach
the fame and fortune that he has today. And how does he treat me? He bit the
hand that fed him. He let all the nonsense from these fans go
directly to his head and he turned on me. Well you know what? The time has come
for payback. Jon Brett couldn’t get it done, Briggs couldn’t get it done, so I
went to the man who I know could get it done. The man who did
pin Solomon long before Jaguar ever could. I’ve gotten the man, I’ve
gotten the myth, I’ve gotten…The Machine.
Machine:
Solomon, it’s been a long two years for The Machine, but the wait is over now.
The real monster will be unleashed tonight, and when it’s all said and done,
only your broken remains shall be left. Tonight, your massacre will not begin,
it shall end. And it will end at the hands of The Machine!
-COMMERCIAL BREAK-
We return from the break showing the highlights of last
night’s Hall of Fame and Awards Achievement ceremonies. Greg Tantalus, Mike
Griffin and Jaguar are shown being honored as the new class of Hall of Famers, along with Jackie Baccaro being named Wrestler of
The Year, Tantalus and Jaguar winning the Match of The Year, and Showtime Damon
Savage being named the Most Improved Wrestler of The Year. At the package’s
conclusion, we are taken back to ringside.
Cade:
Welcome back to Overdrive folks and it has already been an electric evening. We
have already seen Paul Epton and Kris Anthony defeat Darrin Giles and Infernus,
and now they will compete against TFU and Alpha Omega in a triple threat match.
The winning team takes on Mike Troha and Bodycount for the Tag Team Titles tonight.
Madsen:
That’s right, and now we’re coming up on our Overdrive main event. Seven of the
top women in the PWA will compete in a gauntlet match for the ultimate bragging
rights between them.
Cade:
That’s right, let’s get up to the ring!
Referee Dan Martin climbs into the ring just in time as
“Zerospace” by The Kidneythieves
takes over the PA system. Besides the hollers of the men in the crowd, a series
of boos sets the stage for Jade as the former three-time Women’s Champion makes
her way to the ring.
Cade:
We heard Jade earlier on telling James Biamonte that she would win this match,
but it’s not looking too hot at these odds. She was the first ever Women’s
champion, but she has to get through six women to win it now.
Madsen:
Being first is rough, but let’s see who is next.
Jade gets into the ring and “Hot Like
Fire” by the late, great Aaliyah hits next to a sizeable pop as Camieko begins
her walk to the ring.
Cade:
Ah, it’s Camieko.
Madsen:
And she’s a two-time champion in her own right.
* WOMEN’S GAUNTLET MATCH: KEIKO ISHIDA VS. LAUREN
TANTALUS VS. JADE VS.
Referee: Dan Martin
The Hot Girl climbs into the ring and
Jade is all over her at the sound of the bell. She pounds her back into
a corner and delivers a stinging chop to the chest, but Camieko reverses their
positions before releasing a barrage of her own chops to the chest. She then
whips Jade to the opposite end, where she catches her walking out with a big
back body drop!
Cade: The
Hot Girl is off to a hot start!
Camieko waits for Jade to get up before dropping her
back down with a dropkick. The
Madsen:
She started hot, but Jade’s side effect just put that fire out!
As Camieko rolls out of the ring, “Everytime
We Touch” by Cascada hits next for the arrival of Dee
Licious, whose longtime
Cade: Its Dee Licious!
Madsen:
Exactly who Jade didn’t wanna
see!
Jade tries to jump
Jade reverses the whip and tries to duck her head down
for the same back body drop she took, but
Cade:
And Dee Licious has just pinned Jade!
Madsen:
She just put her away for good with that one Nick.
Jade is helped out of the ring as “Thick Skin” by Joydrop brings out more boos for the arrival of Liz Rush.
She quickly slides into the ring and goes after
Rush gets her off the canvas and into a corner, where
she drives a shoulder into her midsection. She then Irish whips
Madsen:
Cade:
She has taken out Jade and Liz Rush in succession, but there is still a long
way to go.
As Rush exits, “Going Under” by Evanescence plays, and the boos really pour in as Brunette Bitch Brigade member
Michelle begins her entrance. Dee Licious waits anxiously on her opponent, but
is perhaps a little too overzealous as Michelle reaches under the ring to grab
her by the foot to trip her up.
Michelle gets into the ring and takes advantage by
stomping
Michelle rises and
Cade:
Madsen:
She’s gonna have to try to put her away soon here.
Cade:
Come on ref! Her feet were on the ropes!
Madsen:
Can’t call what he can’t see. Michelle got away with that one.
As
Cade:
But she can’t get away with this one!
Madsen:
Michelle has been slapping and taunting Lauren for weeks! There is no backup
for her now!
Michelle looks like a deer caught in headlights as
Tantalus slides into the ring and pops up in her face. She throws a right hand,
but Lauren blocks it and slaps her hard across the face! Michelle holds her
face as Tantalus rears back and slaps her across the other side of her face!
Lauren then kicks her hard in the stomach before
grabbing her by the hair and yelling into her face. She then sets Michelle up
for her finishing move and connects with her patented Tiger Driver with
thunderous force! Tantalus holds the move into a pin as Martin makes an emphatic
three count!
Cade:
And there goes Michelle!
Madsen:
Lauren made very short work of Michelle, but look who
is up last!
As Michelle exits holding her head, “The Stone Monkey”
by Kazu Matsui plays, and the crowd cheers in
excitement as Keiko Ishida makes her march to the ring for a showdown with
Tantalus.
Cade:
What a matchup this is gonna be!
Madsen:
Both these ladies are fresh too, each of them former three-time Women’s Champs!
Ishida removes her coat and shades on the ramp and
enters the ring ready to go. Tantalus eyes her up and down before they lock up
hard in the middle of the ring. Ishida is easily the stronger of the two and
she displays that as she easily shoves the smaller Tantalus to the canvas.
Tantalus gets back up and realizes her speed is her
chief advantage. They lock up again, and this time, she goes behind Ishida
before downing her with a double leg trip. Before Ishida can rise, Tantalus
springs forward to trap her in a side headlock. Tantalus takes her over with
it, but Ishida still powers her way up before dropping her down on her head
with a back suplex! She covers for one…two…and Tantalus kicks out.
Cade:
Lauren fell right on her head there; we know she has had an extensive history
of head injuries.
Madsen:
And Keiko is doing the right thing in going for it.
Ishida gets Tantalus off the mat and hooks her into
position for a DDT, but Lauren reacts quickly with a
hard knee to the midsection. With Keiko’s grip broken, Tantalus goes behind and
drops the Japanese legend onto her head with a terrific German suplex! She
covers quickly and hooks both legs for 1 and 2, but Ishida barely kicks out in
time! Tantalus shakes her head in disbelief and then uncharacteristically heads
up to the top rope.
Cade:
Lauren has got to be wondering what she needs to do to put Keiko away here.
Madsen:
Well she’s looking for the big hit now, hopefully to end it.
As Tantalus reaches the top,
her opponent rises to her feet. She springs off for a hard
cross body block, but Keiko rolls through the move upon impact with the mat.
Both ladies get up quickly and Ishida tries to take her head off with a
clothesline, but Lauren ducks under the move and waits on her opponent to turn
around before booting her in the midsection, hooking her up and then planting
her with the Tiger Driver in the center of the ring!
Madsen:
Tiger Driver! That could do it!
Lauren holds the move into an instant cover, and Martin
gets down to count one…two…thr-but Ishida gets her
arms off the mat!
Cade:
Oh! I thought Lauren had it there!
Tantalus is in shock and she slowly gets Keiko off the
mat as she ponders her next move. She puts the groggy
former champion in position for another Tiger Driver, but Keiko uses her upper
body strength to push her off. Tantalus backs into the ropes and misses a
clothesline, allowing Keiko to bounce off the ropes herself and come back with
her infamous running STO that pounds Tantalus’ head into the mat with extreme
force! Keiko covers and gets one…two…and three!
Cade:
And Keiko wins it! What a hard fought match this one was!
Madsen:
Hard fought indeed. Both ladies came close to winning, but it was Keiko Ishida
who takes this gauntlet win in the end.
“The Stone Monkey” plays again and the crowd applauds as
Keiko Ishida gets her arm raised. Tantalus takes several moments to reach her
feet, but once she does, Ishida approaches her and the two shake hands to a
nice ovation. Tantalus raises the victor’s arm once more and both ladies make
their exit, proud of their final PWA contests.
* WINNER: KEIKO ISHIDA *
Cade:
That’s what its all about right there, the respect between these two
competitors.
Madsen:
We won’t see too much of that being passed around tonight.
Cade:
We likely won’t, but we won’t waste any more time. It has been a tremendous run
for Rick and I here on Overdrive and we thank you for allowing us into your
homes once again. But now, it’s time to turn it over to Victor Troy and Paul
Ferrara for Everlasting Epic V. For Rick Madsen, this is Nick Cade signing off.
Everlasting Epic is here!
-- END SHOW --