EPISODE # 2.4
PALAIS OMNISPORTS DE PARIS-BERCY
PARIS, FRANCE
TUESDAY, APRIL 5, 2011

A video package airs, highlighting the events that closed last week’s broadcast, with Dan Crowley successfully defending the PWA World Heavyweight Championship against Michael Grieco, only to be viciously attacked after the victory by Anthony Failla, Crowley’s next challenger.

As the video concludes, “Live Again” by Ours hits and the opening credits roll. From there, we are taken inside Palais Omnisports de Paris-Bercy in Paris, France, where a stunning pyrotechnic display ensues and we focus on our commentators, Victor Troy and Randall Buckingham.

Troy: Hello everyone and welcome to PWA: The Rebirth! I’m Victor Troy, along here with Randall Buckingham, and we are live in Paris, France for another action-packed episode!

Buckingham: Action-packed is a great way to put it, Troy! Tonight, you will see THREE championship matches, including a match I am DYING to see, a match in which Anthony Failla will reclaim the PWA Championship and take back his rightful place at the top of the PWA food chain.

Troy: Indeed, Dan Crowley will defend the PWA World Heavyweight Championship against Anthony Failla tonight, a battle Failla made quite personal a week ago with his vicious attack on the champion shortly after his successful defense against Michael Grieco. But also tonight, we are going to see the PWA Tag Team Championship up for grabs when the Hall of Fame duo of Vulture and The Iceman Jason Calysto puts the gold on the line against two dangerous newcomers in Maddox Tate and Pitbull, Texas Justice.

Buckingham: Dangerous and motivated, Troy. Tate and Pitbull have sacrificed everything to remain in this business for the last 20 years, and now that they’ve finally made it to the PWA and have an opportunity to become Tag Team Champions no less, I see them doing absolutely anything they have to in order to get the job done. I know they’re going up against two Hall of Famers, but there is no way Vulture and Calysto want this win more than their challengers.

Troy: Whether or not that is enough for Texas Justice to walk out of Paris with the gold remains to be seen, as does whether or not Morgan Day can topple the undefeated Zina and recapture the Women’s Championship.

Buckingham: Right, we will see Morgan Day challenge Zina for the title tonight, but to answer your question, I don’t believe there’s any chance of that, Troy. Zina has proven her dominance over this division for just about one year, and I don’t see any reason why that would change tonight.

Troy: I wouldn’t sell Morgan Day short, Randall. She did end a similar long undefeated streak enjoyed by Keiko Ishida just over five years ago.

Buckingham: Well, not only was that five years ago, but Morgan said herself that Zina is on a whole other level than Keiko. Again, I’m not expecting a title change tonight.

Troy: Of course, we have more than just championship matches. Indeed, we will see the return of TFU to action tonight, as Greg Tantalus and Hollywood Mike Griffin reform their legendary tag team to take on the Justin Schenck-approved duo of Chase Stone and Markus Krieg.

Buckingham: My only comment on this one is that TFU has shown nothing in singles matches the past two weeks to lead me to believe that Krieg and Stone will have even the slightest problem disposing of them tonight.

Troy: And listen to this doozey announced earlier in the week! After their minor confrontation in the backstage area on last week’s program, our creative director Justin Schenck has signed a triple threat match for tonight, pitting Scythe against Solomon against GI Jew!

Buckingham: That should be one hell of match, one where the winner will clearly vault up the list of top contenders to the PWA Championship.

***

Moments later, “Amazing” by Kanye West hits and the fans begin booing loudly as Chase Stone and Markus Krieg make their way out to the ring. Stone’s face is filled with his ever-present smirk as the gargantuan German slowly stalks down the aisle behind him. Finally, the pair enters the ring and awaits the explosion that the arrival of their opponents will usher.

Indeed, the explosion from the capacity crowd is just as boisterous as expected when “Vicarious” by TOOL overtakes the speakers and TFU makes their entrance. The Paris crowd sends out a wave of cheers to carry Greg Tantalus and Hollywood Mike Griffin out to the ring and they respond by slapping hands with fans all the way down the aisle. Well, Griffin at least. Tantalus is too focused on the ring and his opposition, sliding in and immediately taking the fight to Markus Krieg, prompting the bell to sound.

Troy: Greg Tantalus is not wasting any time!

Buckingham: He’s too emotional, Troy. When you’re as unhinged as Tantalus appears to be right now, it only leads to mistakes.

TFU VS. MARKUS KRIEG & CHASE STONE
Referee: Jose Soares
Tantalus pounds away on Krieg furiously, keeping him off balance. He then whips him into the ropes and knocks him off his feet with a high knee! Tantalus moves in to attempt a cover, but instead begins pounding Krieg in the face repeatedly with right hands! He then lets a shocked Krieg up and demands that Chase Stone be tagged into the match. Krieg obliges and tags in Stone, who enters the ring tentatively.

Stone tries to lock up with Tantalus, but is instead kneed in the gut and hit with a series of rights and lefts! Tantalus then whips Stone into the TFU corner and tags in Griffin, who enters the ring to a round of cheers and immediately begins stinging Stone with thunderous knife-edge chops! Griffin whips Stone off the ropes and downs him with a back body drop! Then, Hollywood lifts Stone again, attempting to whip him into the ropes, but Stone reverses it, sending Griffin into the ropes towards Markus Krieg, who reaches out and crushes Griffin’s back with a double-sledge as he arrives. Griffin winces in pain and grabs his back, allowing Stone to rapidly tie him into a Fisherman Suplex! One, two, three!

Troy: What?!

Buckingham: HAHA! They did it again! Krieg and Stone have gotten one over on TFU again! So much for the grand return!

The fans boo raucously as “Amazing” replays and Stone and Krieg quickly exit the ring and head to the back. Both men are laughing as they walk up the aisle, amused at the ease with which they were able to win. Tantalus re-enters the ring, his eyes wide with shock and anger, and Stone taunts him as he returns to the back.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 2:55 – MARKUS KRIEG & CHASE STONE

In the ring, Tantalus turns to Griffin, who is apologizing profusely for being caught with the quick pin. Tantalus’ fury seems to wane and Griffin offers his hand. Tantalus shakes his hand, but immediately pulls him close and downs him with a thunderous clothesline!

Troy: Oh no!

Buckingham: Nice!

Tantalus then mounts Griffin and begins pummeling him with repeated crushing rights, screaming at him as he does so. When Tantalus gets off Griffin, the look in his eyes is absolutely frightening. He lifts Griffin up and crushes him down with the Big O, spitting down at him after impact. He then exits the ring, rips a steel chair away from ring announcer Lee Palmer, re-enters the ring and, when Griffin rises, Tantalus wallops him in the skull thunderously with the chair.

Troy: This is absolutely horrifying!

Then, for good measure, with the fans still sitting in stunned silence, Tantalus lifts Griffin up and crushes him down with the G-Spot right onto the chair!

Tantalus sits up and his lips curl into a smile. He begins laughing as he turns back to Griffin, proud of what he has done. He gets up and shouts at the unconscious Griffin, calling him a loser, before retreating to the back. Tantalus throws his arms in the air as he walks up the aisle, prompting the Paris crowd to shower him in boos before he steps behind the curtain and we take a break.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return from break, we are taken to the parking lot, where EMTs are loading Hollywood Mike Griffin into an ambulance. Backstage reporter Scott Cornelius is on the scene.

Cornelius: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to PWA: The Rebirth, and it’s a somber scene out here. Greg Tantalus, apparently fed up with losing to Markus Krieg and Chase Stone every week, took out his frustrations on his TFU partner Hollywood Mike Griffin, mercilessly beating him. The EMTs are taking Griffin to a local medical facility for observation, but from the naked eye, I’d be absolutely shocked if he doesn’t have a concussion. Vic, Randall, back to you.

***

Back at ringside, “Control” by Earshot is playing over the speakers and Darrin Giles stands in the ring.

Troy: Thanks Scott. What a horrifying sight out here just a few moments ago.

Buckingham: You know what? I actually developed a bit of respect for Greg Tantalus just now.

Troy: Are you kidding me?

Buckingham: He recognized that Mike Griffin was a loser holding him down, that he was better off without him, so he got rid of him. It’s not like Griffin has been the most loyal friend in the world either. Really, these two guys are the biggest phonies I’ve encountered since I came to the PWA. I’ve been here less than a year and these supposed “best friends” have already turned on each other twice. Who the hell needs friends like that?

Troy: I think Tantalus’ behavior tonight was totally out of line. What Griffin did to Tantalus last year was also wrong, but one could make an argument that he turned on him for business. Tonight, you could tell that there was hatred and cruelty in Tantalus’ eyes. It was legitimately frightening. Quite frankly, this was a Tantalus I hoped to never see again. Greg Tantalus is a man that straddles the line between sanity and insanity, and when he’s just on the right side of it, he’s a great asset to the PWA and a tremendous fan favorite. When he crosses over to the wrong side, there’s no telling what this man is capable of. I think tonight was clearly a representation of him crossing that line.

Buckingham: Maybe, maybe not. Maybe Tantalus just wasn’t so quick to forgive Griffin for last year after all.

Troy: Only Tantalus can answer that question, and he’s apparently left the building, so we aren’t getting that answer tonight.

Buckingham: But what we are getting is a non-title match here pitting Darrin Giles against the Progressive Champion Paul Epton.

Troy: This is a rather huge match for Giles, who can earn a championship match with Epton with a victory here tonight.

Moments later, “Map of the Problematique” by Muse hits and the fans begin cheering loudly for the PWA Progressive Champion Paul Epton. Epton appears to be in great spirits tonight as he steps into the ring and holds his championship high. However, this gives Giles an opening to club him down from behind, prompting the bell to ring to start this contest.

Troy: The bell is ringing?! How is that fair? Epton isn’t ready!

Buckingham: Stop whining, Troy! If Epton is a true champion, he could overcome this obstacle!

NON-TITLE MATCH:
PWA PROGRESSIVE CHAMPION PAUL EPTON VS. DARRIN GILES
Referee: Tom Stevens
Giles pounds away on Epton with vicious stomps as the Progressive Champion struggles to collect himself and gain his bearings. Once Epton is able to get himself vertical, he whips Epton against the ropes, looking to down him with a hard clothesline upon his return. However, Epton ducks under it, hits off the opposite ropes, and downs Giles with a hard dropkick! Then, as Giles gets up to a knee, Epton hits the ropes and nails him with a corkscrew neckbreaker! The fans cheer loudly as Giles writhes on the mat, giving Epton the opportunity to climb to the top rope and leap off with his magnificent shooting star press! Epton connects with authority! One, two, three!

Troy: And just like that, this match is history!

Buckingham: C’mon Giles! This is completely unacceptable!

The cheering picks up in volume as “Map of the Problematique” replays and Epton takes his championship belt and exits. Meanwhile, in the ring, Giles slams the mat in frustration as the shot fades.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 0:42 – PAUL EPTON

***

The camera shifts over to the Jumbotron, where we see Matthew Magellan standing in a hallway decked out in workout garb. Briggs is standing menacingly behind him. Both are facing the camera. When Magellan realizes the camera is on, he feigns surprise.

Magellan: Oh! I didn’t hear you come in. Well, you might as well follow me.

Magellan now takes the camera into a workout room.

Magellan: In case you were wondering, you’ve entered my personal gym in Lima, Peru. It is here where my mission to lose five pounds and enter the cruiserweight division officially begins.

With that, “The Final Countdown” by Europe begins playing and a montage of Magellan working out begins. Magellan runs on a treadmill while Briggs barks encouragement; tosses a medicine ball back and forth with his bodyguard, receiving a throw from Briggs so hard that it knocks him to the ground; and does numerous crunches while Briggs holds his feet. At the conclusion of the package, Briggs hands Magellan a towel, who dabs his forehead as he speaks.

Magellan: That was quite a workout. Let’s see what the scale says.

Magellan gets on a scale, which reads “223.” Magellan smiles.

Magellan: Not bad, Briggs, huh?

Briggs: Not bad at all.

Magellan: That’s two pounds closer, Epton. Three more pounds and that Progressive Championship is mine. If I were you, I wouldn’t get too used to being champion.

With that, “The Final Countdown” replays as the camera pans out of the room and we head to commercial.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return from break, we see John Wolfe standing by catering when he is suddenly approached by creative director Justin Schenck.

Schenck: John Wolfe, how ya doin’?

Wolfe: This better be bloody good, Schenck. I’m beginning to lose my patience with you. Do I have another shot at the International Championship or not?

Schenck: Well, why don’t you let me tell you what I have in mind and you can let me know if you’re happy with it or not.

Wolfe: Fine.

Schenck: I have a match for you tonight. Jackie Baccaro needs a tag team partner to go up against Paul Dawkins and Renegade, and I’ve volunteered you. If your team wins its match tonight, you can get another shot at Evan Black two weeks from tonight.

Wolfe chews on this proposition for a moment before nodding at Schenck.

Wolfe: Deal.

Schenck: Excellent. Good luck tonight.

With that, Schenck walks off.

***

The camera shifts to the locker room shared by Vulture and Morgan Day, who are both preparing for championship matches. Both appear pensive, Morgan more intensely so. Vulture, however, is staring intently at the Tag Team Championship belt he will defend later in the broadcast alongside Jason Calysto against Maddox Tate and Pitbull, Texas Justice. Vulture begins speaking without looking up from the title.

Vulture: You ready?

Morgan: Ready as I’ll ever be.

Vulture now turns around and faces Morgan.

Vulture: Just take it one move at a time out there. Remember, YOU are the dominant female in this company. It’s time you go out there and remind Zina of that fact. Just because she hasn’t been beaten doesn’t mean she can’t be beaten. Tonight seems like a great night for her first loss.

Morgan nods at Vulture, clearly lost in deep thought. Then, a producer knocks on the door and sticks his head in the room.

Producer: Morgan, you’re next.

As the producer exits, Vulture hugs and kisses his wife.

Vulture: Good luck.

Morgan: Thanks love.

Though she smiles briefly upon saying goodbye to her husband, Morgan’s expression changes to stone-faced seriousness as she exits the room, headed for the ring.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return, “Dead Promises” by The Rasmus hits and the fans begin cheering loudly as Morgan Day emerges from behind the curtain, looking poised and ready for her shot at reclaiming championship glory.

Troy: Alright folks, welcome back to PWA: The Rebirth. We’ve got a Women’s Championship bout in store for you up next that is sure to be electric. Last June, Zina defeated Morgan Day to win this title and has reigned over the division ever since. Tonight, Morgan has her shot to take back what she feels is rightfully hers.

Buckingham: Does she really feel that way? If she does, then she’s even more delusional than I thought. How anyone can look at the women’s division and honestly believe that title belongs to anyone but that malevolent Moscow mamma Zina?

Troy: Seriously? Malevolent Moscow mamma?

Buckingham: That’s what I said, yes.

Morgan enters the ring and stretches out on the ring ropes, taking in the cheers of the Paris crowd as she awaits the arrival of the champion.

Moments later, “Demons” by Aria hits the speakers and the fans begin booing loudly as the PWA Women’s Champion Zina steps out from behind the curtain. Zina doesn’t take her eyes off Morgan her whole trip down the aisle and Morgan likewise remains focused on the champion. At long last, Zina enters the ring and hands the belt to referee Dan Martin, who holds it high as Lee Palmer begins the ring introductions.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the PWA Women’s Championship!

Introducing first, the challenger, from Newcastle, England, weighing in at 140 pounds… MORRRRGANNNN DAYYYYYYYY!

And her opponent, from Moscow, Russia, weighing in at 200 pounds, she is the PWA Women’s Champion… ZIIIIII-NAAAAA!

PWA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP:
ZINA (champion) VS. MORGAN DAY (challenger)
Referee: Dan Martin
The bell sounds and Zina goes right after Morgan, clobbering her with hard lefts and rights. With Morgan a bit off balance, Zina whips her against the ropes and downs her with a sidewalk slam as she returns. Zina covers… one, two, and Morgan gets the shoulder up.

Zina presses the advantage, nailing the challenger with repeated stomps before Morgan rolls out of the ring to take cover. The champion then taunts the crowd in the ring, allowing Morgan time to regain her composure, head back into the ring, and begin taking it to Zina with a series of hard forearm shots! Morgan then whips Zina against the ropes, nailing her with a hard dropkick as she returns! Morgan covers… one, two, and Zina kicks out.

Zina gets back to her feet but Morgan is right there, whipping her against the ropes. Morgan charges at a cornered Zina, but the champion sidesteps her. However, Morgan leaps right up to the top rope and instead downs Zina with a beautiful standing moonsault! The challenger hooks the leg… one, two, and Zina just gets the shoulder up!

Troy: So close! I thought she had her there!

Buckingham: Are you serious? This is ZINA she’s in the ring with! Zina doesn’t lose!

Zina gets to her feet again, and this time, Morgan downs her with a hard roundhouse kick to the jaw! Morgan covers… one, two, and Zina is able to escape again.

This time, however, Morgan pulls Zina to the middle of the ring, looking for the Sharpshooter, but Zina reaches up just as Morgan begins to apply it, tying her in a small package! One, two, and Morgan escapes.

Both women pop to their feet at the same time, each looking for the advantage. Morgan is the one that obtains it, stunning Zina with a kick to the gut. Sensing the opening, Morgan lifts Zina for her Daybreak finisher, but Zina slips out of it, spins Morgan around, and crushes her with a thunderous modified ura-nage!

Troy: Morgan is down and doesn’t appear to be getting back up!

Buckingham: And it’s only about to get worse! Zina is getting in position for the Siberian Express! This match is history!

With Morgan slowly getting to a vertical base, Zina begins charging at her challenger, unleashing the Siberian Express, her vicious bicycle kick, as Day fully rises. However, Morgan is able to sidestep it, causing Zina’s foot to collide with the jaw of referee Dan Martin! Zina is distracted by this, allowing Morgan to roll her up in a small package for the one, two, three… but there is no referee to make the count.

Troy: I don’t believe this! Morgan has Zina pinned!

Buckingham: Do you see a referee making the count?

Troy: No, but –

Buckingham: But nothing! The ref is down! Morgan does NOT have Zina pinned! Zina knows she KO’d the ref, and she’s probably staying down intentionally to conserve energy!

Morgan ultimately gives up on the pin attempt and instead peppers Zina with repeated forearms. Morgan whips Zina against the ropes, looking for a clothesline upon her return, but Zina ducks under it, stops short, and when Morgan turns around again, clobbers her with a Siberian Express! Zina covers Morgan for the one, two, three and beyond, but again, the referee is not in position.

Frustrated, Zina tries to revive the official, but when she is not immediately successful, a diabolical look appears on the champion’s face. Zina exits the ring and rips her championship belt away from the timekeeper before returning to the squared circle.

Troy: Oh come on! This just isn’t right!

Zina waits for Morgan to rise, and when she does, Zina swings the belt right at her head… but Morgan ducks under it and nails Zina with a roundhouse kick to the face when she turns around!

With Zina down to a knee, Morgan grabs the title belt and, as Zina gets back to a vertical base, bashes her in the skull with it! The fans are on their feet as Morgan tosses the belt out of the ring and locks on the Sharpshooter! Seconds after Morgan turns Zina around, the bell sounds and the Paris crowd bursts into cheers!

Troy: She did it! Morgan Day did it! She has defeated Zina and captured the Women’s Championship!

Buckingham: She hit her with the belt! That should have been an automatic disqualification!

Troy: But Zina brought it into the ring! It’s justice!

Buckingham: No it’s not! That doesn’t matter!

Morgan Day gets to her feet, waiting for referee Dan Martin to raise her hand, but he does no such thing. Suddenly, Lee Palmer begins speaking.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has ruled that, due to Morgan Day’s use of the Women’s Championship belt, the winner of this bout, as a result of a disqualification, and STILL PWA Women’s Champion… ZIIIIIIIIIIIII-NNAAAAAAAA!

Buckingham: Yes! Yes! Finally some REAL justice around here!

Troy: This is not fair! This is just not fair!

Morgan begins screaming at the referee, trying to plead her case, but Martin will have none of it. Meanwhile, Zina positions herself behind Morgan, leading to Morgan ultimately turning around, only to be violently struck in the side of the head with the Siberian Express running bicycle kick! As Morgan crumbles to the mat, “Demons” replays and Zina grabs her belt and gets out of dodge.

Troy: I’ll tell you what, you can say whatever you want, but Zina is LUCKY to be leaving Paris with the championship. Absolutely lucky!

Buckingham: I know I can say whatever I want, and I will say this: Zina wins, Morgan loses. It’s as simple as that!

Troy: Folks, we’ll be right back.
WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION AT 9:52 AND STILL WOMEN’S CHAMPION – ZINA

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

We return from break with the cameras fixated on the backstage area, where Lauren Tantalus, Jade, Kemi Okoro, Dee Licious, and Keiko Ishida have been watching the championship match on a pair of monitors. Dee is mostly isolated from the rest of the group, while Keiko and Kemi make sure to avoid one another. While they all stand there, a victorious Zina walks past them, smirking.

Zina: I hope you all were watching closely. It is time for you all to realize that any efforts to defeat me are futile. I will never be defeated.

Suddenly, Morgan Day can be seen in the background, holding an ice pack to her head.

Morgan: Hey Zina!

The Women’s Champion turns around.

Morgan: I didn’t say we were done!

With that, Morgan tosses down the ice pack, charges Zina, and tackles her to the ground! As they pick up right where they left off in the ring, the rest of the women’s division joins in, attacking each other ferociously! Kemi and Keiko begin brawling, while Jade and Dee, and Alexis and Lauren follow suit. Officials storm over to try to break up the chaos as the shot fades.

***

Back at ringside, “You Don’t Know” by Eminem and 50 Cent hits the speakers, prompting the crowd to burst into cheers for Paul Dawkins and Renegade! The Paris crowd reacts very positively to the popular tag team’s arrival as they get set for tag team action.

With Dawkins and Renegade settled in the ring, “Hallelujah” by Bishop Lamont featuring Xzibit thumps onto the speakers, bringing Jackie Baccaro out to the ring. Accompanied down the aisle by Alexis Duval, Baccaro shows his contempt for the crowd as he heads into the ring, taking a few extra seconds to stare down Dawkins, his former tag team partner.

With Baccaro in the ring, “Charlie Big Potato” by Skunk Anansie hits and Englishman John Wolfe emerges from behind the curtain to a majority of boos. Ignoring the French crowd, Wolfe heads down the aisle and, upon entering the ring, acknowledges Alexis and shakes Baccaro’s hand.

The two sides then engage in a brief staredown before the decision is made for former partners Baccaro and Dawkins to start off the match. Once they are settled in the ring, the bell sounds, kicking us off.

Troy: Alright, this should be a good one! Jackie Baccaro and Paul Dawkins squaring off one more time!

Buckingham: These two were Tag Team Champions on several occasions back in 2004 and feuded throughout 2005 after their split, so they are very well-versed with each other’s repertoire. This should be interesting.

JOHN WOLFE & JACKIE BACCARO VS. PAUL DAWKINS & RENEGADE
Referee: Matt Hansen
Baccaro and Dawkins lock up to kick things off, and it is Dawkins that establishes the immediate advantage, tying Baccaro in a side headlock. However, Baccaro is able to quickly power out of this, shoving Dawkins against the ropes and downing him with a hard shoulderblock as he returns. Baccaro flexes his muscles at Dawkins, who gets back to his feet, ready to lock up again. Before this can happen, Renegade shouts from the outside, asking Dawkins to tag him in. Dawkins obliges and Renegade enters.

Renegade and Baccaro are poised to square off, but now John Wolfe’s voice can be heard from Baccaro’s corner. Begging Baccaro to let him show what he can do, Wolfe asks for the tag and Baccaro gives it to him.

Wolfe enters the ring and Renegade immediately charges at him, but Wolfe downs him with a hard boot to the jaw. Wolfe then pries Renegade off the mat and whips him against the ropes, downing him with a thunderous tilt-a-whirl backbreaker as he returns! Now, as Renegade staggers to his feet, Wolfe grabs him by the throat and crushes him down with a furious chokeslam! Baccaro enters the ring and knocks Dawkins off the ring apron as Wolfe covers Renegade… one, two, three.

Troy: Unbelievable! John Wolfe just absolutely decimated Renegade!

Buckingham: That was EXTREMELY impressive, Troy! I think even Jackie Baccaro is impressed!

Boos fill the arena as “Charlie Big Potato” replays and John Wolfe smirks at the camera, as if to say “I told you I was good.” Meanwhile, Dawkins pulls Renegade to safety and the once-great team retreats to the back, wondering what went wrong.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 2:54 – JOHN WOLFE & JACKIE BACCARO

After the victory, Baccaro shakes Wolfe’s hand, impressed with what he has seen. Alexis then enters the ring and has a conversation with Wolfe, appearing quite enamored by the brawny Briton. While this conversation is taking place, Chris Duval rushes down from the backstage area, slides into the ring unnoticed, and takes down Jackie Baccaro to a nice ovation from the crowd!

Troy: Chris Duval! Chris Duval!

Buckingham: Somebody get this guy outta here!

Duval gets a few good shots in on Baccaro before Alexis notices and shrieks. Wolfe then tries to pry Duval off Baccaro, but Duval nails Wolfe with a forearm shiver, rolls underneath the bottom rope, and flees through the crowd! Baccaro is absolutely livid, shouting in Duval’s direction that this is not over as we head to break.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

On the Jumbotron, we see images of the skyline of Dubai, United Arab Emirates as “Aksem” by Ahlam plays in the background. The camera zooms further and further until we are taken onto the site of Dubai Sports City, a $4 billion, 50 million square foot complex currently under construction that will include four sports facilities, retail outlets, and real estate.  We zoom even further, to the front entrance of the 10,000-seat arena, the DSC Indoor Arena, which is scheduled to open later this year. Standing in the entrance is Saif al Abbad.

Saif: Greetings and welcome again to Dubai! I am Saif al Abbad, and today, I am standing on the site of Dubai Sports City, which will be the greatest sports complex in the world. Off in the distance, you can see the DSC Multi-Purpose Stadium, which will house 60,000 spectators for world-class events. We also have a 25,000-seat cricket ground, a 5,000-seat field hockey stadium, sports academies, retail components, and prime retail outlets. But behind me is the DSC Indoor Arena, a brand-new, top-of-the-line sports arena that has not yet been opened.

I know what you’re saying. What does that have to do with Saif al Abbad? Well, let me tell you. As a wealthy and privileged man with ties to the ruling family, I have the ability to accomplish things less fortunate men do not. To that end, I have arranged for the Progressive Wrestling Alliance to open this grand facility on Tuesday, July 12 with a live episode of this great program. It is my gift to the PWA as a token of my appreciation for my arrival into this wonderful company.

But this will not be my only gift to the PWA, particularly to you fans. Perhaps the greatest gift that I can give to you is the promise that each and every week, I will entertain you great people, and someday, I will be a champion you can be proud of. It is a promise I most certainly intend to keep.

As the camera begins to pan out, flashes of each of Saif’s previous vignettes come across the screen, showing him in front of his luxurious villa, giving away a Ferrara to a passing bicyclist, handing bars of gold to tourists at a mall, and standing in front of the arena he arranged for the PWA to open this July. Across the screen, a graphic reads “Saif al Abbad – Coming Next Week to PWA: The Rebirth.”

***

As the cameras return ringside, “War is the Answer” by Five Finger Death Punch hits the speakers, prompting a chorus of boos to break out through the French crowd. The boos only escalate in volume when GI Jew emerges from behind the curtain atop his Chopper and begins riding out to the ring.

Troy: Alright, welcome back to PWA: The Rebirth, where we have yet another big match in store for you right now!

Buckingham: I’m excited, Troy. Any time we can see a rematch of a past Everlasting Epic main event right here on Rebirth, I am a happy man.

Troy: Indeed, a triple threat match between these very competitors headlined Everlasting Epic III back in 2004, with Scythe both entering and exiting the event as PWA World Heavyweight Champion. Will he be as fortunate this evening?

Buckingham: I really don’t think so, Troy. Solomon is still thirsty for revenge after his loss to Scythe in an incredible Iron Man match at last year’s Everlasting Epic, and I know GI Jew is still furious about having lost to Evan Black a week ago. So as much as Solomon is looking for redemption tonight, I think Jew is even more focused on it. Who does that leave out? Scythe. He’s the only one lacking suitable motivation to get this done.

Troy: Lacking suitable motivation? How about the PWA Championship? I think it’s pretty clear that the winner of this match is going to vault up the rankings of top contenders to that title, so why isn’t that motivation enough for Scythe to come out on top?

Buckingham: I’m not taking anything away from Scythe, but I just don’t think he can do it tonight.

As Jew settles himself in the ring, “Hear Me” by Darkseed lurks onto the speakers, causing the boos to grow in volume. With that, the Alaskan Monster Solomon steps out from behind the curtain and begins slowly walking down the aisle. In the ring, GI Jew is staring a hole through the Barrow Behemoth.

Troy: Solomon’s game is intimidation, but if that look on GI Jew’s face is any indication, he is not intimidated right now.

Buckingham: I don’t think GI Jew is a man that gets intimidated by anything, Troy. He’s one of a kind.

Troy: And you know who else is one of a kind, Randall? Saif al Abbad. And after three weeks of waiting, we are finally going to meet this man one week from tonight.

Buckingham: Color me unexcited for that one. Did you hear his gift to the PWA? An episode during the second half of this season of Rebirth live in Dubai to open a new arena? That’s nice and all, but I was hoping for a more personalized gift!

Troy: What makes you think you’re deserving of a gift from Saif?

Buckingham: That’s the point! He gives money and expensive items away to undeserving people! I’m a prime candidate!

Troy: Well, I guess I can’t argue with that logic.

Buckingham: You know what I can’t argue with? Justin Schenck’s matchmaking skills. I just heard through my headset that a big match has been signed for next week’s broadcast based on this evening’s events. Next week, live in Amsterdam, we’re going to see Jackie Baccaro go one-on-one with Chris Duval!

Troy: That bout will certainly carry a lot of intrigue and should be a highlight of next week’s broadcast. But let’s focus our attention here, to one of the highlights of tonight’s broadcast. GI Jew and Solomon are in the ring, and here comes Scythe!

With that, Linkin Park’s “With You” explodes onto the speakers, prompting a burst of cheers to explode forth from the capacity crowd. The Modern-Day Samurai Scythe emerges from behind the curtain and soaks in the cheers of the French faithful. Solomon and Jew look on from the ring with a noticeable degree of contempt as Scythe heads down the aisle and into the ring.

Finally, when Scythe slides into the squared circle, Solomon goes right after him, stomping away. When Jew rushes over and clubs Solomon in the back, the referee opts to ring the bell and kick this match off.

TRIPLE THREAT MATCH:
SOLOMON VS. SCYTHE VS. GI JEW
Referee: Jose Soares
Before Jew can do much damage to Solomon, Scythe shoves Jew to the ground, allowing an opening for his own assault on the Modern-Day Samurai, peppering him with hard knife-edge chops. Solomon then steps towards Scythe, allowing him to take the Barrow Behemoth down with a deep armdrag! Jew then pops to his feet and Scythe downs him with an armdrag as well! Solomon and Jew now rise at the same time and charge Scythe simultaneously, but at the last moment, Scythe ducks down and pulls the top rope with him, causing Solomon and Jew to tumble to the outside!

Troy: And Scythe is standing tall in the ring! Way to clean house, Scythe!

Buckingham: Too bad this doesn’t have the slightest chance of lasting.

Jew comes back into the ring first and he and Scythe quickly engage in a back-and-forth battle of knife-edge chops. Scythe comes out on top, whipping Jew into the corner. However, when Scythe charges in after him, Jew greets him with a boot to the jaw, followed by a swift running bulldog. Jew turns him over and covers… one, two, and Scythe gets a shoulder up.

Scythe gets to his feet and Jew whips him against the ropes, but Scythe counters on the rebound with a DDT! Then, gaining the full support of the crowd, Scythe signals for the Diving Blade!

Troy: He’s going for it!

Buckingham: Already?! A little premature, don’t you think?

Scythe gets to the top rope, but before he can make a move, he is clobbered from behind by Solomon, who has now re-entered the ring. The Alaskan Monster then violently shoves Scythe off the top rope, sending him crashing down to the arena floor! Meanwhile, Jew gets to his feet.

Troy: I think Scythe is broken in half!

Buckingham: Good! Now we can get down to some REAL competition! Solomon and GI Jew!

With Scythe down on the outside, Jew and Solomon stare each other down in the ring, prompting longtime fans to cheer at the revisiting of a classic PWA feud. The two then begin to exchange lefts and rights, each looking to get a leg up on the other. Finally, it is Solomon that gains the advantage, stunning Jew and creating enough separation to charge him with a yakuza kick. However, Jew ducks under it and counters with a chop block to Solomon’s left leg, causing him to crumble to the mat!

As Solomon struggles to get to his feet, Jew positions himself by his head. Then, once Solomon is on his knees, Jew lifts him up and impressively piledrives him to the mat! He covers… one, two, and Solomon gets the shoulder up.

Buckingham: I’ve gotta give it to GI Jew right there! How the hell did he get Solomon up for a piledriver?!

Troy: I think Jew is capable of just about anything when he hates someone.

Buckingham: But he hates just about everyone.

Troy: That’s why he’s so dangerous.

As Solomon struggles to get back to his feet, GI Jew positions himself for the Gore, prompting a number of fans to actually begin cheering. Jew screams at Solomon to get up, and when he finally does, GI Jew charges towards him, looking to Gore him all the way back to the United States. However, just before impact, Solomon lifts his right boot up, causing Jew to crash face-first right into it!

Jew hits the mat like a ton of bricks, and Solomon promptly lifts him back up, hoisting him onto his shoulders and absolutely destroying him with a vicious Deep Freeze! Solomon covers… one, two, and Scythe pulls Solomon out of the ring by his leg!

Buckingham: What is the meaning of this?! This is a travesty!

Troy: Scythe is still in this match, Randall! He’s just as legal as Solomon and GI Jew!

Furious, Solomon lunges at Scythe on the outside, but the Modern-Day Samurai counters with a drop toehold that sends Solomon’s face crashing into the ring steps! Scythe then leaps onto the apron, climbs up to the top rope and, in one fell swoop, nails Jew with the Diving Blade! Scythe hooks the leg… one, two, three!

Troy: Yes! There it is! What a victory for Scythe!

Buckingham: Yeah, after Solomon did all the damn work!

The fans come unglued as “With You” replays and Scythe is announced the winner. He heads to the back amid a wave of cheers as Solomon begins to stir. With Jew still barely moving in the ring, Solomon gets to his feet and comes unhinged, powerwalking to the backstage area like a man possessed as we head to commercial.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 8:13 – SCYTHE

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return, we see Solomon rampaging through the backstage area, livid after his loss in the triple threat match. The Alaskan Monster intimidates everyone in his path as he storms his way through the locker room, finally interrupting a conversation between Evan Black and Dean Nash by shoving Nash violently down the hall. Turning his back to Black, Solomon dares Nash to get up and growls at production assistants that try to calm him down.

Black: Solomon!

The Alaskan Monster completely ignores Black, continuing his rampage.

Black: Solomon! You’ve gotta stop this!

Solomon stops what he’s doing and turns to Black.

Solomon: Are YOU seriously standing up to ME?!

Black: I’m just trying to reason with you.

Solomon: Because you know you have NO CHANCE in a fight with me.

Black: I’m just –

Solomon: I don’t care what you have to say, unless it’s that you want to fight me right now. You know what? I’ll even give you the first shot. Go ahead. If you have any balls.

Black cocks his fist, contemplating taking Solomon up on his challenge. However, he backs down, dropping his fists. Solomon breaks into a huge smile.

Solomon: See? I knew you didn’t have any guts down in that –

Before Solomon can complete his sentence, he is cracked in the jaw with a superkick from Evan Black! The Alaskan Monster is briefly taken off his feet by the impact, allowing Black to flee! Unspeakably livid, Solomon is held back before he is able to go after Black, shouting after him.

Solomon: You’re a dead man, Black! You hear me?! You will die for this!

***

In another portion of the backstage area, Showtime Damon Savage is walking before he is stopped in his tracks by Michael Grieco and Dee Licious.

Showtime: Can I help you with something?

Grieco: Yeah, you can. I think I might have misheard something last week.

Showtime: What’s that?

Grieco: While I was preparing for my championship match against Dan Crowley, I could have sworn I heard you ask Crowley for a title match.

Showtime: So?

Grieco: So, I can’t believe someone could be so brazen as to ask for a title opportunity they don’t deserve. I took Crowley to the limit last week. If anyone deserves another shot, it’s me.

Showtime: So you think Michael Grieco is a better world title candidate than Showtime?

Dee: We don’t think it, we know it. And the whole world does too.

Showtime: Well, in that case, why don’t you two put your money where your mouths are? Grieco vs. Showtime, next week on Rebirth. What do you say?

Grieco: I say I accept, and I can’t wait to show the whole world just how unfit for the main event you really are.

With that, Grieco and Dee walk off and we head to commercial.
 
-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return from break, we see the Human Highlight Jon Dulberg walking through the backstage area. He appears very deliberate in his direction, finally stopping when he reaches the Hardcore Icon Kerry Cox.

Dulberg: Hey Kerry, what’s going on?

Cox: Hey Jon.

Dulberg: You haven’t been returning my calls. What’s up? We need to gear up and go after Wellington. Let’s get on this!

Cox: I’m sorry about that, Jon. I just wasn’t in the mood to talk about it this past week.

Dulberg: Talk about what? Losing to Wellington? Just brush it off, move on to next week.

Cox: See, that right there is not a good way to think for either one of us. For you, that “move onto next week” mentality is one of the main reasons why you’ve been unable to break through into the main event. You have to treat every single match as if it were your last. It sounds cliché, but it’s the truest thing I’ve ever learned in this business. As for me, I still do leave it all in the ring every time I go out, but last week showed me that maybe I just don’t have it anymore. Maybe it’s time for me to move on.

Dulberg: Are you serious? You can’t retire!

Cox: If I can’t go out there and back up my words against a punk like Wellington, Jon, I don’t have a role here. I’d rather disappear than go out there and lose every week. I’ve worked too long and too hard putting together a Hall of Fame career to taint it on the 18th hole.

Dulberg: Look, if you want to take an indefinite break from in-ring competition, that’s your prerogative. But don’t rush into retirement. And absolutely don’t insinuate that you have no role here outside of the ring.

Cox: What could I do, seriously?

Dulberg: You could be my manager.

Cox chuckles at the suggestion but quickly realizes Dulberg isn’t joking.

Cox: You’re serious?

Dulberg: Look, maybe it’s not how you envisioned your season, but I’m learning a lot from you.  I really believe your expertise can take me to that next level. If you’re willing to do it, I’d be honored.

Cox: Wow. That’s a lot to digest.

Dulberg: Just think about it. I’m not looking for an answer right now. But give it some thought.

Suddenly, the two are interrupted by the sound of slow, mocking applause. They turn around and see Dexter P. Wellington approaching.

Wellington: Quite a rousing speech, Dulberg. Too bad it’s wasted on a worthless bag of bones who is destined for failure at anything he does for the rest of his miserable life.

Cox: Listen Wellington, if you –

Dulberg: I’ve got this one, Kerry. Wellington, we’re both sick of you. That’s just a fact. And another fact is that Cox just isn’t going to waste his time with you anymore.

Wellington: That’s because he knows –

Dulberg: Concentrate. I’m not done. What’s gonna happen now is that if you want to keep sticking your nose in our business, you’re going to be dealing with me. So right now, your choices are walk away, or we throw down, right here, right now.

Wellington takes a moment to think about it before smirking and backpedaling away.

Dulberg: Just like I thought.

Wellington: This isn’t over.

Dulberg: For your sake, I hope it is.

***

Back at ringside, “Mouth For War” by Pantera thumps onto the speakers and the Paris crowd begins booing loudly, serenading Texas Justice to the ring. The PWA newcomers Maddox Tate and Pitbull are stoic as they head down the aisle and into the ring, ready to challenge for this company’s Tag Team Championship.

Buckingham: Take a look at these guys, Troy. They are beyond focused. They realize that this is quite literally the biggest match of their careers. It took Maddox Tate and Pitbull 20 years to make it to the PWA, and since they’ve been here, they’ve ended the career of Jaguar, beaten down two other Hall of Famers in Vulture and Jason Calysto, and defeated former champions Paul Dawkins and Renegade in their sanctioned debut last week. Now, tonight, they have the chance to defeat Vulture and Calysto for their PWA Tag Team Championship, which would complete a phenomenal first month in the company for these two hard-working warriors.

Troy: Hard-working warriors? They are the kings of the sneak attack!

Buckingham: But they work hard at sneak attacking you!

Troy: We can talk about these guys until we’re blue in the face, but the fact of the matter is they won’t be sneak attacking Vulture and Calysto tonight. They’re going to meet them head-on. And head-on against two of the greatest superstars in PWA history, I don’t think Texas Justice will be able to survive.

As the challengers settle themselves in the ring, “F*ckin in the Bushes” by Oasis hits, prompting a thunderous wave of cheers to meet the arrival of The Iceman Jason Calysto! With the Paris crowd cheering him on passionately, Calysto emerges from behind the curtain, his title belt around his waist, and walks out to the ring, stopping right at the base of the stairs.

As Calysto stares at his challengers, “Falling From the Sky” by VAST hits, continuing the throng of cheers. Moments later, Vulture steps out from behind the curtain, quickly heading down the aisle to meet his partner. Once there, Vulture and Calysto slide into the ring before handing their belts over to referee Tom Stevens. Discussions between both sets of partners are ongoing as Lee Palmer begins his ring introductions.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the PWA Tag Team Championship!

Introducing first, the challengers, at a total combined weight of 440 pounds, the team of MADDDDDOXXX TATE and PIIIIIITBULLLLLL… TEXAAAAAAAS JUUUUUUUSTIIIICE!

And their opponents, at a total combined weight of 463 pounds, they are the reigning PWA Tag Team Champions, the team of VULLLLLTURRRRRE AND THEEEEE IIIIICEMANNNNN JASONNNNNN CAAAAAALYSTOOOOO!

PWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
VULTURE & THE ICEMAN JASON CALYSTO (champions) VS. TEXAS JUSTICE (challengers)
Referee: Tom Stevens
As the bell sounds, Vulture and Maddox Tate remain in the ring to start the match off, and Tate lunges at Vulture, trying to grab the immediate advantage. However, Vulture sees him coming and sidesteps him, sending Tate into the corner, where Vulture unloads on him with a series of hard lefts and rights to the delight of the crowd! Tate staggers out of the corner, allowing Vulture to take him down with a snap suplex, floating over for a cover… one, two, and Tate escapes.

Tate sits up after the kickout and Vulture secures him in a front facelock, trying to keep him grounded. However, Tate doesn’t stay in that position long, reaching up and raking the eyes of the Hall of Famer in order to free himself. Tate then whips Vulture into the corner and makes the tag to Pitbull, allowing the challengers to double-team Vulture with kicks and punches.

Tate finally exits the ring and it is Pitbull’s turn to work over Vulture, nailing him with repeated knees to the small of the back. With Vulture seemingly dazed and confused, Pitbull climbs up to the top rope and attempts an elbow drop, but Vulture slides out of the way at the last moment! Then, with the fans cheering him on, Vulture is able to make the tag to Jason Calysto!

Troy: Here comes The Iceman! The challengers are in trouble!

Calysto storms into the ring and immediately begins pummeling Pitbull with hard rights and lefts. He then whips Pitbull into the ropes and nails him with a spinning heel kick as he returns! Calysto covers… one, two, and Pitbull gets the shoulder up. Then, Calysto heads up to the top rope, looking for The Bottom Line, his flying clothesline, but Maddox Tate walks over and grabs his foot. The Iceman is able to shake free, but by that time, Pitbull is on his feet and is able to toss Calysto back to the mat.

With Calysto down, Pitbull tags Tate back into the bout and the challengers begin stomping away on him furiously. Once Pitbull exits the ring, Tate continues his array of stomps, finally pulling Calysto back to a vertical base. Tate attempts a suplex, but The Iceman is able to block it. Tate attempts another, but Calysto blocks it again. Then Calysto tries to kick Tate in the gut, but Maddox Tate catches his foot… creating an opening for Calysto to clobber him in the side of the head with an enziguri!

Troy: What a move! Calysto has the chance to make a tag now!

Buckingham: C’mon Tate! Get up! Don’t let him make the tag!

As both men struggle to reach their corners, the fans cheer Calysto on thunderously. Finally, Calysto is able to tag in Vulture, who rushes into the ring and prevents Tate from bringing Pitbull back inside! He yanks Tate into the center of the ring and looks for the Sharpshooter, but Tate kicks him off, sending Vulture sailing backwards, crashing the back of his head into the turnbuckle!

Tate gets to his feet, brings Vulture to his, lifts him up for a suplex and turns it into a stunner in mid-air, coming down in a seated position to complete the Backfire. Tate pulls Vulture to the middle of the ring and Calysto senses a real danger to their championship reign. Tate goes for the cover… one, two, and Calysto enters the ring to break up the pinfall attempt!

Buckingham: Oh come on! How is that fair?!

Troy: Calysto has until a five-count to exit the ring and you know it!

Referee Tom Stevens immediately tries to get Calysto to exit the ring, but The Iceman is clobbered in the back of the head by Pitbull, who has entered the ring. This prompts Calysto to turn around and tackle Pitbull to the mat, wailing away on him!

As Stevens works diligently to break up the two combatants, Vulture and Tate continue their battle on the opposite side of the ring. Vulture whips Tate against the ropes, setting up for the Chill Factor spinebuster, but Tate reaches into his jeans and grabs out a pair of brass knuckles, securing them on his hand during his run. When Vulture catches him, he is stunned with a brass knuckles shot to the side of the head as he turns him over for the Chill Factor!

Troy: Did you see that?! C’mon ref!

Buckingham: The referee is too busy wasting time with Calysto and Pitbull! I love it!

Calysto and Pitbull end up battling to the outside of the ring, allowing Stevens to turn his attention back to Vulture and Tate. He is immediately surprised to find both men down and out, but begins counting to 10. Should he reach the 10-count, the match would be ruled a draw and the title would not change hands.

The referee reaches the count of four before either man moves a muscle. At that point, Tate lifts his head up and drapes his arm over Vulture’s chest. Stevens counts… one, two, three.

Troy: No! No! I can’t believe it! Vulture and Calysto have been robbed!

Buckingham: Robbed?! This is a glorious day! Texas Justice has finally gotten what they deserve! Tag Team Championship gold! Unbelievable!

The fans begin booing raucously as “Mouth For War” replays over the speakers and the challengers are announced as the new champions. Calysto and Pitbull conclude their brawling on the outside as The Iceman tries to figure out exactly what went wrong. Meanwhile, Pitbull grabs both championship belts from the timekeeper and storms into the ring, giving one to Maddox Tate and helping him out of the ring.

Tate comes to on the outside and the two begin a celebration as they backpedal up the aisle towards the curtain. In the ring, Calysto checks on Vulture, who is just starting to come to, in disbelief that the titles have slipped away.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 10:18 AND NEW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS – TEXAS JUSTICE

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

In the locker room, backstage reporter Scott Cornelius is standing by with cruiserweight Asai Moon.

Cornelius:  I'm here with up-and-coming PWA newcomer Asai Moon, and Asai, you've had quite the first few weeks.

Moon:  Thank you Mr. Cornelius.  It has been a privilege to get the opportunities I have had thus far here in the PWA.

Cornelius:  Your loss last week to heavyweight competitor Chris Duval notwithstanding, you are in the PWA mainly to compete in our new cruiserweight division, for the Progressive Championship. In your debut match, you defended your right to wear a mask to qualify for a shot at that title, a championship match you were cost by El Valiente Jr., the man you unmasked several weeks back. Talk to me about those experiences.

Moon:  They were exciting, if the ultimate outcome was not desirable.  This whole division will be exciting for the PWA fans.  We've got so much diversity, so many styles… it will bring something new each week. As for my encounters with El Valiente Jr., they have been unfortunate.  I do not take pride in removing a mask, but he responded by taking me out of my championship match the next week, so we have some unfinished business. But not to worry, for I WILL get another opportunity at the Progressive Championship, and when I do ­—

Before Asai can finish his sentence, he gets blindsided by an unknown assailant! The man stomps Moon into the ground while Cornelius looks on, horrified. Sensing the fear, the man grabs Cornelius’ microphone and shoves him away, instructing him to leave. As Cornelius leaves, the assailant turns back to Moon, grabs his head, and smashes it hard into the floor! With his target vanquished, the man stands up, turns to the camera, smirking, and holds the microphone to his face.

Man: Two weeks ago, you people laughed and laughed when this coward on the floor ripped off my mask and humiliated me in front of my people. This coward ruined the glory I attempted to bring to my country, to my family. And because of his actions, El Valiente Jr. is no more.

Angrily, the man turns and stomps Asai again for good measure.

Man: Because of HIM, my father, the original Valiente, said I was not worthy to bear his name. Well, that’s okay, because HE isn’t worthy of ME.  From now on, you can call me Juan Pablo Alvarez, and I will soon carve out my own legacy, my own glory.

Alvarez then kneels down to deliver a personal message to Moon.

Alvarez: And you, Asai Moon, you are my first target.  Your mask will be mine.  I will take it and everything else that is important to you, starting next week. Mr. Schenck has granted me a Progressive Championship number one contender’s match with you.

He then grabs Asai’s head.

Alvarez: And next week, what I do to you will be far worse than what I’ve just done.

Alvarez slams down Asai's face into the ground and flees, as security finally arrives to break up the scene.

***

The camera shifts to another portion of the backstage area, where now-former PWA Tag Team Champions Vulture and Jason Calysto are in the midst of an apparent disagreement.

Vulture: Listen, no disrespect, but if you hadn’t been so easily distracted on the other side of the ring, maybe that wouldn’t have happened.

Calysto: You’re really gonna go there?

Vulture: Should the point not have been made?

Calysto: Should I then make the point that YOU were the one who was pinned? We’re gonna be here all night if we’re just gonna pass the blame back and forth.

Vulture takes a deep breath and settles himself.

Vulture: You’re right. I just HATE that we lost the titles to those guys.

Calysto: You don’t think I do too?

Vulture: So what’s the next move?

Calysto: You joking? The next move is we exercise our rematch clause and take the damn titles back. Though, that’s assuming you’re in.

Calysto extends his hand. After a brief delay, Vulture shakes it.

Vulture: Of course I’m in.

Vulture and Calysto then walk off in separate directions. The camera follows Vulture, who stops in his tracks after about 10 steps when he turns a corner and finds his estranged son, Chris Duval, standing in front of him.

Chris: We need to talk.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return, “Better Think Again” by Submersed powers onto the speakers and the fans begin loudly booing as Anthony Failla emerges from behind the curtain.

Troy: Alright folks, it’s main event time! The PWA Championship is about to be defended!

Buckingham: And it’s also about to change hands!

Troy: I wouldn’t be so sure of that!

Buckingham: I was right about the Tag Team Championship, wasn’t i?

Failla wears a cold stare as he slowly stalks his way down the aisle, headed for the ring. Upon entering, it is clear that Failla is taking this opportunity very seriously.

Buckingham: Look at this man, Troy. This man is a bona fide killer. If you ask me, he’s one of the greatest PWA Champions we’ve ever had. I really don’t see how Dan Crowley is going to escape Paris with the championship.

Troy: Keep in mind that Crowley did, in fact, pin Failla to win the title back at Everlasting Epic.

Buckingham: In a triple threat match. One-on-one, Crowley doesn’t have a prayer. It is Failla’s time to take back what’s rightfully his here tonight.

In the ring, Failla removes his t-shirt and stretches himself out on the ropes while awaiting the arrival of the champion.

Moments later, “Judas Rising” by Judas Priest hits and the fans begin cheering thunderously for the world champion!

Troy: Listen to this ovation for Dan Crowley! The champion sure has himself a fan base here in France!

Buckingham: So he shouldn’t have a problem picking up some cheese to go with his whine after he loses the championship in a few minutes.

Troy: How long have you been waiting to use that joke?

Buckingham: How long have we been on the air tonight?

Pumped up, Crowley heads down the aisle, recognizing his supportive fans while keeping his eyes locked on Failla. At length, the popular champion enters the ring and removes his championship belt, planting a kiss on it before handing it to referee Matt Hansen, who raises it high.

Buckingham: There you go, Crowley. Kiss the belt goodbye!

As Failla and Crowley stare intensely at one another and move to the center of the ring, Lee Palmer begins his ring introductions.

Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest, scheduled for one fall, is our main event, and it is for the PWA World Heavyweight Championship!

Introducing first, the challenger, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing in at 281 pounds… ANTHONYYYY FAIIII-LLLLAAAAA!

And his opponent, from Long Island, New York, weighing in at 235 pounds, he is the PWA World Heavyweight Champion… DAAAAAN CRRRRROWWWWWLEEEYYYYY!

With that, the bell sounds, officially kicking off this championship match.

PWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
DAN CROWLEY (champion) VS. ANTHONY FAILLA (challenger)
Referee: Matt Hansen
Failla immediately charges Crowley’s corner, looking for a double sledge, but Crowley sidesteps him at the last moment, causing Failla to whiff. When Failla turns around, Crowley nails him with a combination of punches that daze the former champion, allowing Crowley an opening to go for his big uppercut. However, Failla sidesteps this attempt, grabs Crowley by the neck, and drives him down spine-first across his knee. With Crowley momentarily incapacitated, Failla takes the opportunity to taunt his opponent, causing the Paris crowd to boo.

Buckingham: I love the confidence in Anthony Failla tonight. He truly believes that Crowley has no chance of beating him in a one-on-one battle, and I’m hard-pressed to disagree.

Troy: Randall, Failla can believe whatever he wants, but the fact of the matter remains that Crowley is clearly capable of beating him, because he HAS beaten him.

Buckingham: One-on-one is a whole different story.

Troy: A story that is indeed playing out right before our very eyes!

Failla continues the assault with an array of stomps before lifting Crowley up and sending him chest- first into the turnbuckles. When Crowley staggers backwards, Failla clobbers him with a forearm to the back, followed by lifting him up and crushing him with a hard backbreaker. Failla covers… one, two, and Crowley kicks out.

With Crowley down, Failla takes the opportunity to turn him over and lock on the camel clutch, further weakening the back of the champion. Failla cinches it in tightly, hoping for a submission, and Crowley does indeed struggle in the hold. However, the Paris crowd begins loudly stomping and chanting for the champion, trying to will him back to his feet. After several moments, it appears to start working, with Crowley shaking his fists and slowly beginning to rise. Finally, Crowley returns to a vertical base, with Failla’s hands still locked around his chin. With a burst of energy, Crowley grabs Failla’s legs, lifts him up, and smashes him backwards into the turnbuckles, breaking the hold!

Troy: What resiliency shown by the champion right there!

Buckingham: Maybe so, but Failla is still in control.

Troy: How do you figure? Both men are down!

Buckingham: You’ll see.

The two competitors reach their feet at roughly the same time and it is Failla that gets the first move off, downing the champion with a hard clothesline. He then lifts Crowley off the mat and crushes him with a long, delayed vertical suplex. After impact, Failla floats over into a cover… one, two, and Crowley is able to kick out.

Realizing he is near the ropes, Crowley rolls out of the ring for a breather. This of course prompts Failla to exit the ring after him, looking to keep the pressure mounted.

On the outside, Failla disrespectfully slaps the slowly rising Crowley in the face, prompting a wave of “oohs” from the capacity crowd. Then, when Crowley lunges up and at the former champion, Failla counters by whipping Crowley aggressively into the steel steps! Crowley hits the steps with such force that they become dislodged. Meanwhile, Failla has something more dastardly in mind.

Buckingham: Failla is headed this way!

Troy: What could he want with us?! Oh, don’t tell me… c’mon Failla! Not this!

Indeed, Failla stands in front of the announce table, haphazardly tossing everything from it: cameras, pens, notebooks… whatever he can find. He then removes the table’s protective covering and turns back around, looking for Crowley.

Troy: He’s going to put Crowley through our announce table!

Buckingham: And once he does, we’re going to have a new champion!

Before grabbing the champion, Failla quickly rolls into the ring and back out again, breaking the referee’s count. He then lifts Crowley by his hair and begins walking him to the announce table. Upon reaching it, Failla lifts Crowley for the Weapon of Mass Destruction, but Crowley is able to prevent Failla from crashing him through the table with the maneuver with several hard elbows to the jaw!

With Failla staggered, Crowley lifts him and nails him with a hard back suplex right into the table, producing a hard thud that bends but doesn’t break the table! Unsatisfied with this outcome, Crowley re-enters the ring, climbs up to the top rope, and leaps off to the outside of the ring, crashing Failla through the announce table with a vicious big splash!

Troy: My God! Dan Crowley just risked life and limb to destroy his challenger!

Buckingham: Our table has been reduced to splinters, and I think so have Crowley and Failla!

With the referee’s count re-started, Crowley and Failla have the maximum 10-count to return to the ring. However, the count reaches six before either of them can get to their feet. By that point, Crowley has stirred, and he lifts Failla back to a vertical base. Rather than attempt the count-out victory, Crowley rolls Failla back into the ring, enters right behind him, and immediately goes for the cover… one, two, thr-NO! Failla gets the shoulder up!

Crowley appears somewhat surprised by the kickout but doesn’t let it get to him, as he immediately climbs back up to that tope rope. As soon as Failla gets to his feet, Crowley leaps off, looking for Shadow of the Nite, but Failla instead pulls the referee into harm’s way, causing Crowley to crash down onto Tom Stevens inadvertently!

Troy: Oh no! Referee Tom Stevens is down and he doesn’t appear to be doing a whole lot of moving!

Buckingham: And it’s not just Stevens that’s hurt, Troy! Crowley tried to modify his leap at the last minute when he turned mid-flight and saw Stevens in the way. However, he managed to not only connect with Stevens pretty good, but also land awkwardly and hurt himself. Way to go, champ!

With the official now incapacitated and Crowley struggling to get to his feet, Failla exits the ring and rips the championship belt away from the timekeeper. He enters the squared circle with it and positions himself right in front of the slowly rising champion.

Troy: Failla’s gonna use the belt! If he hits him with that belt, I hate to say it, but we’re going to have a new champion, and it’ll be a damn shame!

Buckingham: We saw John Wolfe attempt to do just this to Evan Black two weeks ago in an International Championship match, only for Black’s next opponent, GI Jew, to come out and make the save. It doesn’t appear that anyone is coming out here to do the same for Crowley. And why would they? He’s a jerk.

Troy: Can we just focus on the match please?!

At long length, Crowley gets back to his feet, prompting Failla to swing the belt forcefully in his direction. However, Crowley is able to duck under it and, as Failla turns around, Crowley boots him in the gut, causing the challenger to drop the gold! With the referee still down, Crowley picks up the title and clocks Failla in the skull with it, dropping him in his place!

Troy: Shades of our Women’s Championship match from earlier tonight, only this time, the referee didn’t catch our hero in the act! Finally, some justice!

Buckingham: How is this justice?! Failla didn’t even do anything illegal!

Troy: But he wanted to! Hence, justice!

Amid rabid cheering from the Paris crowd, Crowley tosses the belt out of the ring and falls onto Failla for the cover. Moments later, the referee begins to come to and starts a labored count. One... two… thr-NO! Failla gets a shoulder up!

Troy: What?!

Buckingham: Anthony Failla was smacked in the face with the championship belt and STILL managed to kick out! What a champion!

Troy: He’s not champion of anything yet!

Buckingham: He’s my champion.

Crowley seems exasperated, but begins pulling himself to his feet. Failla slowly does the same. Once both have risen, Crowley nails him in the jaw with a hard right. Failla absorbs this shot and nails Crowley with a hard right of his own. With Crowley staggered, Failla attempts a double-sledge, but again, Crowley ducks under it, this time booting a turning Failla in the gut and blasting him with the Touch of Evil, his jumping double-arm DDT!

Troy: Touch of Evil! This one is history!

At length, Crowley rolls Failla over and covers… one, two, thre-NO! Failla kicks out again!

Buckingham: Anthony Failla is a beast! You CANNOT keep this man down!

Troy: I don’t believe it! What does Crowley have to do to put him away?!

Crowley backs off, incredulous, clearly wondering how Failla could have escaped that predicament. However, the champion takes a deep breath, regains his composure, and signals for the Brutal Legend. As the fans buzz with anticipation, Crowley positions himself next to the semi-conscious challenger, who is doing everything in his power to get back to a vertical base.

Once Failla is up, Crowley grabs him and, in one fell swoop, nails him with a thunderous Brutal Legend! Crowley collapses onto the challenger, hooking the leg tightly… one, two, three!

Troy: Yes! Yes! Dan Crowley has done it! He has defeated Anthony Failla in a one-on-one match and retained the PWA Championship!

Buckingham: I don’t believe this! After everything Anthony Failla went through in this match, for Dan Crowley to win it is an absolute shame!

Troy: Don’t delude yourself, Randall! This was a HUGE win for Dan Crowley, and no one can take that away from him! He is still the PWA Champion, and a champion we can all be proud of!

Buckingham: He used the belt!

Troy: Failla was going to use it first!

Buckingham: But he didn’t!

Troy: He did what he had to do to retain the title against a man who was willing to do anything to defeat him. For that, I applaud him! Congratulations, Dan Crowley! Your reign continues!

The Paris crowd cheers raucously as “Judas Rising” replays and Dan Crowley’s hand is raised in victory. Crowley is handed his championship belt, picked up from the arena floor where Crowley left it, and raises it high for all to see.

Failla slowly rolls out of the ring and begins his journey to the backstage area, turning back and sneering scornfully at the champion while Crowley celebrates his triumph in the ring, posing on the turnbuckles with his title as the camera fades to black.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 17:06 AND STILL PWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION – DAN CROWLEY


-- END SHOW --


Pre-Show Dark Matches:
1. Matthew Magellan & Briggs def. Kris Anthony & Dean Nash. Briggs pinned Nash with a sitout powerbomb at 3:18. (Referee: Tom Stevens)
2. Jade & Lauren Tantalus def. Alexis Duval & Dee Licious. Jade pinned Dee with the Side Effect at 4:20. (Referee: Dan Martin)
3. Saif al Abbad def. The Omega with the Dubai Dazzler at 5:16. (Referee: Matt Hansen)