EPISODE # 2.5
ZIGGO DOME
AMSTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS
TUESDAY, APRIL 12, 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 Anthony Failla in an absolute war.

As the video concludes, “Live Again” by Ours hits and the opening credits roll. From there, we are taken inside the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 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 back with another tremendous episode for you tonight!

Buckingham: Better yet, we’re here in Amsterdam tonight, a place I absolutely LOVE to visit! I am so stoked to be here, Troy! In fact, I’m headed to a coffee shop as soon as we finish up here tonight! Can’t wait!

Troy: You’re so lucky the PWA wellness policy only extends to active performers, you know that?

Buckingham: Lucky? It was one of the first questions I asked on my job interview!

Troy: Oh brother. Knowing the boss sure does have its benefits. Anyway folks, we have a monstrous main event for you tonight, and I mean that quite literally! We have a 10-man tag team bout in store for you, as the PWA World Heavyweight Champion Dan Crowley will team up with Hall of Famers and former Tag Team Champions Jason Calysto and Vulture, along with the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe and the Human Highlight Jon Dulberg to take on the dangerous combination of Anthony Failla, the Alaskan Monster Solomon, Dexter P. Wellington, and the new PWA Tag Team Champions Texas Justice, Maddox Tate and Pitbull.

Buckingham: That should be a real treat for our fans tonight, but I really don’t see how a team with Failla and Solomon on the same side is going to come up short.

Troy: Will there ever come a time where you DON’T just blindly support all the people that the fans dislike and minimize the talents of everyone they support?

Buckingham: What can I say? I’m a contrarian. The fans admire qualities in people that are great if we’re judging them as human beings. I admire qualities in people that are assets in the ring. There’s a natural disconnect there.

Troy: Anyway, tonight we’re also going to see a one-on-one battle between Michael Grieco and Showtime Damon Savage that is sure to be a war.

Buckingham: Not to mention the first-ever singles encounter between Jackie Baccaro and Chris Duval, which I am looking forward to.

Troy: We’ve also learned that the International Championship will be on the line tonight, as Justin Schenck has rewarded Chase Stone for his pinfall victory over Mike Griffin in a tag team match last week with an International Championship match against Evan Black here tonight.

Buckingham: Oh man, that match was absolutely tremendous. Both for TFU being defeated in such short order, and for Greg Tantalus finally realizing that Hollywood Mike Griffin was holding him back and beating the holy hell out of him. Great moment.

Troy: That’s not exactly how I would describe it. Highly disappointing is a better way of putting it. We’ve learned that Griffin did indeed suffer a concussion at the hands of Tantalus last week, and there is at this point no projected return date for him. We certainly wish him a speedy recovery, however.

Buckingham: Speak for yourself.

Troy: That’s STILL not all for tonight, however. You’re going to see Asai Moon take on Juan Pablo Alvarez with a shot at the Progressive Championship on the line, you’re going to see the debut of Saif al Abbad, and that certainly won’t be all! With that, let’s head down to ringside and get this night started!

***

The Amsterdam crowd opens up the evening with cheers as “Free” by VAST hits the speakers and Lauren Tantalus emerges from behind the curtain, flanked on either side by her partners for the evening, Keiko Ishida and Kemi Okor0. Keiko and Kemi remain as far away from each other as possible as they head to the ring.

Once the trio is settled, “Demons” by Aria hits the speakers and the PWA Women’s Champion Zina steps out from the back alongside her partners, Dee Licious and Alexis Duval. They head to the ring to a chorus of boos, paying no attention to the reception they receive as they prepare for battle.

Once they enter the ring, Lauren elects to start things off with Zina, prompting the bell to sound.

SIX-WOMAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
PWA WOMEN’S CHAMPION ZINA, DEE LICIOUS, AND ALEXIS DUVAL VS. LAUREN TANTALUS, KEIKO ISHIDA, AND KEMI OKORO
Referee: Dan Martin
Zina goes right at Lauren, nailing her with repeated clubbing blows and keeping her off balance. The champion whips Lauren against the ropes, but Tantalus rebounds with a Thesz press that excites the crowd! Having seen enough, Zina pops to her feet and tags Alexis into the fray.

Alexis and Lauren lock up in center ring, with Alexis getting the initial advantage with a knee to the gut. She then whips Lauren against the ropes and attempts a clothesline as she returns, but Lauren is able to duck under it, stop short, and clobber Alexis with a big kick that sends her staggering back to her corner! Taking no chances, Alexis tags Dee into the bout.

Troy: Alright, there is some history between these two now. Dee and Lauren had some battles over the Women’s Championship about seven years ago.

Dee charges at Lauren, but Lauren is right there to catch her with a hard powerslam! Lauren covers… one, two, and Dee gets a shoulder up. Both women get back to their feet and Lauren grabs the advantage, whipping Dee against the ropes and crushing her with a thunderous back body drop as she returns! Lauren moves in for another maneuver, but Dee in desperation kicks her in the head, allowing her to crawl back to her corner and tag Zina back in.

Zina storms back into the ring, but before she can reach Lauren, Keiko Ishida enters the ring illegally and clobbers Zina with Oshimai, her running STO finisher! Zina is down and barely stirring, and Keiko smirks as she exits the ring!

Buckingham: Are you kidding me?! Do your job, ref!

Troy: Forget about that, we have a good chance of somebody finally pinning Zina right here!

With Zina down, Lauren looks to further the damage on the champion, but Kemi Okoro is begging for the tag. Despite Keiko’s protests, Lauren tags Kemi into the match, who immediately climbs to the top rope and nails Zina with a legdrop! Then, Lauren climbs to the top, but Kemi doesn’t see this and is unaware that when she bounces off the ropes, gearing up for a successful elbow drop on the Women’s Champion, Lauren loses her balance and tumbles to the arena floor! This prompts Keiko Ishida to come into the ring and shove Kemi, getting right in her face!

Troy: What the hell is Keiko doing?! It was an accident!

Buckingham: Was it? This Kemi Okoro is a showboat. I wouldn’t be surprised if she did it on purpose.

Troy: Are you kidding me?

With Lauren down on the outside, Kemi and Keiko argue in the ring, Keiko accusing Kemi of sabotaging their team. Meanwhile, Zina recovers and charges the two of them, smashing Kemi into Keiko, knocking Ishida to the outside. Then, when Kemi turns around, Zina locks her in a furious Russian Bearhug, squeezing as tightly as she possibly can. Finally, with nowhere to turn, Kemi taps out.

Troy: And that’s gonna do it for this one. Kemi Okoro taps out, and Zina’s bunch picks up the victory.

Buckingham: As if any other outcome was ever possible.

Troy: Oh come on! Lauren’s team was very much in control of this thing before the miscues!

Buckingham: Yeah, but the miscues were inevitable, hence so was the outcome of this match.

The fans boo loudly as “Demons” replays and Zina grabs her belt and begins walking to the back. Alexis and Dee follow the champion several steps behind, so they don’t immediately spot Morgan Day charging out from behind the curtain and spearing Zina to the ground!

Troy: Morgan Day! Morgan Day is here again!

Buckingham: What a cheap shot!

Troy: The war between these two is far from settled!

Buckingham: Maybe Morgan should just accept that she can’t beat Zina and move on!

Troy: I beg to differ with that analysis!

Morgan and Zina brawl furiously on the ground as the Amsterdam crowd cheers thunderously, and it takes several officials and many of the other female grapplers to separate the two as we head to commercial.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 5:52 – ZINA, DEE LICIOUS, AND ALEXIS DUVAL

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, we are taken to a beautiful beach. The shot gets narrower and narrower until we are focused on Matthew Magellan and Briggs. Magellan feigns surprise when he looks into the camera.

Magellan: Oh, you again. Welcome back to beautiful Lima, Peru. Take a look around you. We’re here at La Herradura, a breathtaking beach not far from my lovely home. For those of you that might be uncultured and not understand Spanish, that means “the hardship,” which is exactly what I’m going through in order to enter the cruiserweight division so that I can shut Paul Epton up and take the Progressive Championship. But, it will be well worth it once that gold is around my waist where it belongs. Right, Briggs?

Briggs: Of course.

Magellan: Today, I’ll be doing something a little unconventional. I’ll be running along the shore of La Herradura, but stopping at random intervals along the way for a series of hip swivels. This combination should allow me to cut weight and enter the cruiserweight division as soon as possible. Let’s begin.

With that, “Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis begins playing and a montage of Magellan running begins. The package is edited in such a way that Magellan appears to be running in slow motion, with Briggs cheering him. However, when two attractive females cross Magellan’s path, he comes to a dead stop and begins swiveling his hips in their faces. They curl their lips at him in disgust and keep walking, prompting Magellan to go back into his trot. Now the camera shots fade between images of Magellan running, Briggs cheering, and Magellan swiveling his hips in the faces of other unsuspecting beachgoers.

The shot now fades to back inside Magellan’s personal gym, where he gets onto a scale.

Magellan: Quite a workout. Let’s see what the scale says.

The camera pans down to show the scale, which reads “221.” Magellan smiles.

Magellan: Looks like I’m one pound away! What do you have to say about that, Briggs?

Briggs: I’d say that Paul Epton had better start shaking in his little British boots.

Magellan: You see that, Epton? One more pound and there’s nothing stopping me from breaking you in half like an English muffin and taking that title. One more pound.

From there, “Chariots of Fire” replays as the camera pans out, taking us to one final image of Magellan swiveling his hips in people’s faces as the shot fades.

***

The camera pans out from the video right into the backstage area at tonight’s show, where Jade was watching Magellan’s video on a monitor. She has a smile on her face, laughing and shaking her head before walking away.

***

We now head back to ringside, where “All or Nothin” by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers is playing over the speakers and we find Kris Anthony waiting in the ring.

Moments later, “Aksem” by Ahlam hits the speakers and the Amsterdam crowd gives a nice welcome to Saif al Abbad, who emerges from behind the curtain with a wide smile on his face. The initial reaction to Saif is quite positive, but when he begins pulling pieces of gold out of a leather pouch and handing them out to fans, the cheers for the newcomer grow to overwhelming proportions.

Troy: He’s giving pieces of gold away to our fans!

Buckingham: What a jerk!

Troy: How is he a jerk?!

Buckingham: He’s buying the approval of this crowd with pieces of gold! That is SO low!

Troy: Well I think it’s tremendously generous! Good for you, Saif!

At length, Saif al Abbad enters the ring, but before beginning his match with Kris Anthony, he grabs a microphone and addresses the Amsterdam crowd.

Saif: Greetings lovely people of Amsterdam!

The fans cheer loudly.

Saif: I hope you enjoy the gifts that I have brought for you today upon my debut here in the PWA, a very joyous occasion. I only regret that I could not give a gift to each and every one of you! Kris Anthony, I wish you the very best of luck in our match today, and I hope one day you will look back and be proud of having competed against Saif al Abbad in his debut match.

With that, Saif hands the microphone to ring announcer Lee Palmer and the bell sounds, kicking off this contest.

Buckingham: I think I’m gonna be sick. C’mon Kris!

Troy: Are you for real? I bet you hate Santa Claus too.

SAIF AL ABBAD VS. KRIS ANTHONY
Referee: Matt Hansen
Anthony and Saif meet in the center of the ring and Saif is quick to offer his hand in sportsmanship. Kris Anthony is tentative in shaking it but ultimately obliges, and Saif doesn’t attempt to pull any chicanery, prompting applause from the crowd.

Saif and Anthony then lock up and it is Saif who gains the immediate advantage, taking Anthony down hard with a belly-to-belly suplex. Anthony gets back up to a vertical base in short order, but Saif is waiting for him, nearly taking his head off with a brutal step-up enziguri!

Troy: Devastating!

Saif al Abbad now pries Anthony off the mat and sends him into the corner, before charging in after him and taking him down with a springboard bulldog! Rather than go for a cover, Saif lifts him up again, grabs him in stunner position, then runs at the corner, walking up the turnbuckles, before flipping over and crashing Anthony down back-first onto the mat!

Troy: That’s it! He calls that the Dubai Dazzler and it was quite dazzling indeed!

Saif covers… one, two, three!

Troy: What a debut for Saif al Abbad!

Buckingham: Do you think this proves anything? All this proves is that he can beat the weakest link on the roster and suck up to the fans. I am NOT impressed.

The Amsterdam crowd is, however, and they cheer loudly as “Aksem” replays. Saif grabs his leather pouch and hands out more pieces of gold to audience members as he exits and we head to commercial.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 2:23 – SAIF AL ABBAD

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, Paul Dawkins and Renegade are sitting in the locker room, mid-conversation.

Renegade: I really don’t know how to explain it, dawg. Something’s missing. I don’t know.

Dawkins: I feel the same way. We’ve lost a step from last season. We just can’t get out of the box. Last week was a complete embarrassment. We need to get our act together.

Renegade: I agree completely. It’s either get our act together or go our separate ways.

Dawkins: I don’t know about you, but there’s no way I want to split this thing up and go out like this. If it’s up to me, we’re not going anywhere until we figure this thing out and turn this around.

Renegade: Yeah, you’re right about that. We’ve been too good a team to just fade into obscurity.

Suddenly, they are approached by The Omega.

Omega: I think you two need to do us all a favor and stop complaining.

Dawkins: Speaking of fading into obscurity.

Renegade: Seriously. This guy’s been losing so much he’s even lost his real name. All that’s left is The Omega.

Dawkins: When was the last time you were even on TV, Omega?

Omega: I’ve been biding my time. And I’m here with a message. My Synergy partner The MVP may be done for the season, but that doesn’t mean Synergy is finished. I’m actively searching for a replacement, and next week, I want to give someone a tryout. And I figured since you two have become walking jokes, you’d be good punching bags. What do you say?

Dawkins and Renegade turn away from Omega and commence their own side conversation.

Renegade: Is this guy for real?

Dawkins: I think he is. I don’t care who his partner is, we’ve GOT to be able to beat this joker.

Renegade: Agreed.

They now turn back to The Omega.

Dawkins: You’re on. We’ll see you next week.

Omega: Good.

The Omega then exits the room. Dawkins and Renegade snicker.

Renegade: Sucker.

We then see The Omega outside the dressing room, also snickering.

Omega: Suckers.

***

Back at ringside, “Amazing” by Kanye West hits the speakers and the fans begin booing loudly as Chase Stone makes his way to the ring, accompanied by Markus Krieg. Stone gestures around his waist that the International Championship will soon be his as he enters the ring, with Krieg settling himself on the outside.

Troy: What is the meaning of Markus Krieg being out here tonight? Is this really necessary?!

Buckingham: I don’t have a problem with it.

Troy: Why is that not the least bit surprising?

As Stone prepares himself in the ring, “Hero” by Nas featuring Keri Hilson thumps onto the speakers and the Dutch crowd gives it up for Evan Black!

Troy: Here comes the International Champion! And what a champion this man has been! Factoring in our live events, Evan Black has made 15 successful defenses of the International Championship to date, against seven different opponents. He's even successfully defended the title three times in the last three nights. He is the absolute epitome of a fighting champion.

Buckingham: And he'll be picking up a new title after this bout: former International Champion!

Troy: We’ll just see about that! You’ve said that during every single one of his defenses thus far this season, and the title is still around his waist.

Buckingham: I’ve got a good feeling about tonight.

Black enters the ring and hands the belt over to referee Tom Stevens, who raises it high as ring announcer Lee Palmer begins his introductions.

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

Introducing first, the challenger, from State College, Pennsylvania, weighing 240 pounds… CHAAAAASE STOOOOONNNNNNNNNNNE!

And his opponent, from Westchester, New York, weighing 225 pounds, he is the PWA International Champion… EVVVVVVVANNNNNNN BLLLLLLLAAAAACKKKKKKKKK!

PWA INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
EVAN BLACK (champion) VS. CHASE STONE (challenger)
Referee: Tom Stevens
The bell sounds to kick off this contest and Stone goes right after Black, shooting in on him. He grabs Black’s leg, looking for a single-leg takedown, but Black tries to counter with an enziguri, which is ducked by Stone.

Chase Stone follows this up with a waistlock, trying to take the champion down with a German suplex, but Black is able to block it and roll through, sending Stone tumbling to the outside!

Troy: Alright! A nice start here for Evan Black.

Buckingham: We’ve still got a LONG way to go.

The fans are cheering as Stone regroups on the outside and heads back into the ring to lock up again with the confident champion. Black attempts to whip Stone into the ropes, but the challenger is able to reverse it and send the champion into the ropes instead. Black leaps over Stone on the return and hits the opposite ropes, but Markus Krieg reaches out and trips the champion, causing him to face-plant into the mat! The crowd boos vehemently at this, and Krieg takes a moment to taunt them, not realizing that the referee saw the whole thing. Suddenly, before either Stone or Krieg knows what happened, the referee ejects Markus Krieg and orders him to the locker room!

Troy: Yes! Finally! Some justice! Markus Krieg is outta here!

Buckingham: This is totally uncalled for! That trip was a total accident!

Troy: Give me a break!

Chase Stone spends an inordinate amount of time protesting the decision to the official, who doesn’t want to hear it. This gives Black an opportunity to sneak up behind him and roll him up in a small package! One, two, and Stone gets a shoulder up.

Stone springs to his feet and swings a wild clothesline at Black, but the champion ducks under it and takes him down with a hurricanrana! Then, Black climbs up to the top rope and leaps off, nailing Stone with a tremendous missile dropkick! Black covers… one, two, and Stone again gets the shoulder off the mat.

Undaunted, Black moves to the corner and signals for the superkick!

Troy: Superkick! Black is setting up for the superkick! If he hits this, it could be all she wrote for Chase Stone!

Buckingham: He’ll defend it, Troy! He’s Chase Stone! He’s not going down to a measly kick!

Stone is slowly climbing back to a vertical base, completely unaware of what’s to come. Finally, he turns and faces Black, who lets loose with a furious superkick, but Stone pulls referee Tom Stevens in the way instead! The superkick connects with Stevens’ jaw, putting him out like a light, while Stone stumbles out of harm’s way!

Troy: Oh come on! He pulled the referee in harm’s way! That should be an automatic disqualification!

Buckingham: What are you talking about?! Chase Stone did no such thing!

Troy: Are we watching the same match?!

Buckingham: I don’t think we are! I don’t know what the referee was doing hanging out so close to the action, but Chase got himself out of the way, and Black’s kick missed the mark, causing him to clobber the official. The fact that you’re blaming this on Chase Stone is preposterous!

Troy: I give up!

Black decides not to worry about the official and instead keep applying the pressure on a reeling Chase Stone. He clobbers Stone with several forearms, ultimately beating him down to one knee. Black then backs up a few steps before charging forth and nearly taking his head off with a shining wizard! Then, with the Amsterdam crowd cheering him on thunderously, Evan Black locks in the Blackout, his anaconda vise finisher!

Troy: Blackout! Evan Black has the Blackout applied! C’mon ref!

Stone struggles vehemently in the hold, quickly realizing he has nowhere to turn. Finally, he begins tapping out to the delight of the crowd! However, the referee is still down and unable to do anything about it!

Troy: This is a travesty! Evan Black has this match won! C’mon referee! Get back up! He’s tapping out!

Buckingham: I’d hate to see it end this way!

Troy: What way?!

Buckingham: With Chase losing!

The official remains incapacitated as the fans begin booing loudly and fearfully. When the camera pans back to the curtain, it becomes apparent why: Solomon is stalking his way out to the ring.

Troy: Oh no.

Buckingham: Oh yes! That’ll teach Evan Black to disrespect Solomon in the locker room! Payback is a bitch, Black! A giant Alaskan bitch!

Troy: Did you just call Solomon a giant Alaskan bitch?!

Buckingham: Oh God. Please destroy this footage. That was a terribly poor choice of words. I’m sorry Solomon. I am truly, hopelessly, unbearably, uncontrollably…

Troy: Will you stop?!

By the time Solomon reaches the ring, Black realizes his presence and chooses to be proactive. Black launches himself over the top rope, trying to take out the mighty Alaskan, but Solomon catches him and crashes him spine-first into the ringpost! Black screams out in pain, but the pain only gets worse, as Solomon heaves him atop his shoulders and absolutely destroys him with a furious Deep Freeze onto the arena floor. The Alaskan Monster then rolls Black back into the squared circle, enters behind him, and pulls a barely conscious Stone on top of him.

In short order, Stevens groggily comes to and begins his count… one, two, three.

Troy: No! This can’t be happening! Evan Black has just been robbed of the International Championship!

Buckingham: Shut up, Troy! This is a cause for celebration! Chase Stone has won his first title here in the PWA! I’ll always remember exactly where I was at this very moment!

The Amsterdam crowd lets the boos rain down on Chase Stone as “Amazing” replays and he is awarded the International Championship belt. Stone holds the belt high and quickly retreats to the back, his fight-or-flight instincts kicking in upon seeing Solomon and not knowing for sure why he is out there. Black, meanwhile, lies motionless in the ring, unaware that his championship has been hijacked.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 10:12 AND NEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION – CHASE STONE

As Stone clears out, Solomon climbs back into the ring, stepping over the top rope. Tom Stevens gets in his way, trying to back him off, but the Alaskan Monster pie-faces the senior official and goes right after the fallen Black, lifting him off the mat and absolutely destroying him with a second Deep Freeze!

Then, as if that wasn’t enough, Solomon puts up three fingers, signifying a third Deep Freeze, one that could seriously jeopardize Black’s career. The Alaskan Monster peels him off the mat and prepares to crush him with another devastating Deep Freeze but, before he can do this, with Black still on his shoulders, GI Jew storms down the aisle, slides right into the ring, and downs Solomon with a ferocious Gore!

Black falls off Solomon’s shoulders and slowly rolls to the outside of the ring as Jew follows through on the Gore and throws in several stiff rights for good measure! A number of PWA officials then storm down the aisle to break up the two combatants, a decidedly difficult endeavor that takes time to accomplish.

Troy: What is going on here?! I think GI Jew just came down to save Evan Black. But why?!

Buckingham: I’m not so sure that was the reason. GI Jew doesn’t give a damn about anyone but himself. We also know that GI Jew still hates Solomon. It could be something as simple as seeing an opportunity to go after the Alaskan Monster and taking it.

Troy: I have no idea what’s going on inside that twisted head of GI Jew, but I’m just thankful someone stopped Solomon from seriously jeopardizing Evan Black’s career. As it is, it would be a miracle if he escaped injury here. And that’s not to mention how sickening it was to see this exciting young superstar get his International Championship stolen away here tonight. Folks, these officials are going to try to restore some order here and we’ll be right back.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, we’re taken inside the locker room, where Dexter P. Wellington has the ears of the new PWA Tag Team Champions Maddox Tate and Pitbull, Texas Justice. Several feet away, seated on a bench, is Anthony Failla, trying to ignore the conversation.

Wellington: I really don’t know what the guy’s problem is. Do you? He comes out handing out pieces of gold to the peons, like they deserve it. These people have never even seen a piece of gold in their lives. He’ll learn. I tried the philanthropist crap last year. No one appreciates it. And why give anyone anything if they’re not going to appreciate it? I just don’t understand what he could be thinking. Bribing the people? Who cares about the people? I mean —

Failla: Dex! Enough! God!

Wellington: Sorry.

Failla: We have to focus, alright? We win this 10-man tag tonight, every single one of us gets closer to a shot at the PWA Championship. I don’t want to sit around, complaining about people who don’t matter, when we could be talking strategy for our match.

Tate: Well, shouldn’t we wait until our other partner comes back?

Suddenly, Solomon enters the room.

Solomon: You rang?

Failla: Oh, look who’s decided to join us.

Solomon: You have a problem, Failla?

Failla: As a matter of fact, I do. What was that crap out there with Evan Black? Don’t you think you ought to be concentrating on our match tonight?

Solomon: I’m sorry. I guess I missed the memo that said that this was any of your business, or that you were the captain of this team.

Failla: Oh I’m not the captain of this team?

Solomon: What makes you think you’d be captain?

Failla: When was the last time you were world champion?

Solomon: Irrelevant. When was the last time you beat me? Oh, that’s right. Never.
 
Failla: I’ll be happy to take you down right now if it helps you learn your place.

Wellington: Whoa, whoa! Gentlemen! Look, there’s plenty of time for you two to settle this later on. We DO have a big match tonight, so can we all please get on the same page for just a little bit?

Failla and Solomon continue glaring at one another as the shot fades.

***

We are taken to another portion of the backstage area, where backstage reporter Scott Cornelius is with Juan Pablo Alvarez.

Cornelius: Ladies and gentlemen, my guest at this time is Juan Pablo Alvarez, formerly known as El Valiente Jr., who will meet Asai Moon in singles action in just a few moments, with a shot at Paul Epton’s Progressive Championship one week from tonight at stake. Mr. Alvarez, what is going through your mind right now before such a huge match?

Alvarez: Vengeance, Scott. Nothing but vengeance. I come from a long, proud lineage of luchadors. I came to the PWA to wear the El Valiente mask with pride. Because of Asai Moon, I was made to look like a fool in front of my proud family. My father called me a disgrace. Because of Asai Moon, I had to disown my family, disown the El Valiente mask, disown the legacy I came here to protect. Now, he doesn’t have to deal with El Valiente. Now, he has to deal with Juan Pablo Alvarez. A man with nothing to lose. Asai Moon, your career is just getting started. You have a lot of potential. I will not rest until that potential is snuffed out. I will destroy everything you stand for and make you wish you never came to the PWA. After I destroy you tonight, I will win the Progressive Championship and make sure that you never, ever come close to achieving your goal. Tonight, Asai Moon, is only the beginning. What you have in Juan Pablo Alvarez is an enemy… for life.

With that, Alvarez storms off and we head to commercial.

Cornelius: Asai Moon vs. Juan Pablo Alvarez, right after this!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

We return from break with the cameras focused on our commentators, Victor Troy and Randall Buckingham.

Troy:  Alright folks, welcome back to PWA: The Rebirth, where it's time to decide the number one contender for the Progressive Championship!  This one features the growing feud between Asai Moon and Juan Pablo Alvarez.

Buckingham: That's right, Troy. These two only made their debuts four weeks ago, and they already have a bitter history.

Troy:  It started with Asai beating Alvarez, then known as El Valiente Jr., in a mask vs. mask match.

Buckingham:  Asai’s win there would lead to Alvarez's disgrace and eventual disowning of his family name. He even prevented Moon from winning the Progressive Championship three weeks ago, leading to this matchup tonight.

Muse’s “Map of the Problematique” then hits and Paul Epton begins to approach the ring to a rousing ovation.

Troy:  Speaking of the Progressive Championship, here comes the champ! From the looks of it, Randall, I'd say we're going to have a guest.

Paul Epton approaches the announcers and takes a seat at the table.

Troy: Mr. Epton, welcome.

Ept0n: Thanks Victor. Happy to be here.

Buckingham: But WHY are you here, Epton?

Epton: Nice to see you too, Randall. Isn’t it obvious? I’m defending my championship against the winner of this match next week, so I thought I'd get myself a sneak preview.

Calexico’s “Minas de Cobre” hits and the newly-dubbed Juan Pablo Alvarez makes his entrance. The crowd isn't happy to see him, and Alvarez returns the sentiment, glaring scornfully at the Amsterdam crowd.

Troy: Who would you rather face?

Epton: Well, I did battle with Asai when I won this title three weeks ago, so I know a bit about what he has to offer. But I think I could handle Alvarez just fine. I saw his debut in the season premiere and he has his weaknesses.

Alvarez enters the ring and shoots a glare at Epton, who just nods as “Merciless Cult” by Dir en Grey hits the speakers and Asai Moon makes his entrance to a roar from the crowd! Asai enters the ring, playing to the capacity crowd as Alvarez simply rests in the corner, waiting for the opportunity to strike.

NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP FOR PWA PROGRESSIVE CHAMPIONSHIP:
ASAI MOON VS. JUAN PABLO ALVAREZ
Referee: Jose Soares
As soon as the music stops and the bell sounds, Alvarez darts right at Asai, taking him down with a flying shoulder tackle.  He then follows it up by stomping furiously on Moon.

Buckingham: It looks like Alvarez is picking up where he left off last week.

Epton: Well, Asai beat him in a wrestling match three weeks ago. Why not try to brawl with him tonight?

Alvarez picks up Asai and whips him against the ropes, but Moon is able to instinctively dive through Alvarez's legs upon the return. He then pops up and downs Alvarez with a drop toehold before delivering a quick standing moonsault! Asai covers… one, two, and Alvarez kicks out.

As Alvarez gets to his feet, Moon whips him into the corner. Asai stays in the opposite corner and plays to the crowd before starting a multi-flip handspring towards the other corner! Asai rotates in mid-air to finish it off with a senton splash to Alvarez in the corner, but at the last second, Alvarez backwards somersaults out of the ring, leaving Asai to splash the ring post!

Troy: What instinct by Alvarez!  That definitely shifts the momentum in his favor.

Buckingham: But another flashy mistake by Moon! This is becoming a recurring theme!

This reversal sets into motion a string of vicious attacks by Alvarez, as he drags Asai's legs from outside the ring and crotches him on the ringpost. Next, he wraps Asai's leg around the post, leveraging the corner for pressure, before peeling back the leg and slamming it into the steel.

Alvarez rolls back into the ring and chokes Asai. The ref counts, but Alvarez stops at four, one second away from disqualification. After a brief pause, Alvarez does it again. Feeling content with the damage he has inflicted, Alvarez goes for a pin. The referee counts… one, two, and Asai reverses the pin into one of his own! One, two, and Alvarez reverses it again… one, two, and Asai reverses… only for Alvarez to break out, prompting both men to pop back to their feet.

Immediately, however, Asai nails Alvarez with a kick to the gut and a running dropkick to the face, before signaling to the crowd for the Asai DDT!

Moon grabs Alvarez’s head in the stunner position and floats over, but on his way down, Alvarez slips out and meets Moon's descent with a back-kick low blow that the ref misses!

Buckingham: Nice job, Alvarez! I don’t like whiners, but I DO like guys who figure out how to bend the rules! Kudos!

Epton: I’m really sorry, Vic. I don’t know how you put up with this every week.

Troy: Neither do I, Paul. Neither do I.

Alvarez smells blood in the water with Asai doubled over in pain. Standing next to his opponent, he grabs him around the waist, flips over top of him, and uses the momentum to deliver his signature Sunsetflip Powerbomb! Alvarez hits the move with tremendous authority, hooking both legs as the referee starts the count… one, Alvarez puts his feet on the middle rope for extra leverage, two, three!

Troy: Come on, ref! His feet are on the ropes!

Buckingham: If you think he was kicking out of that powerbomb with his feet off the ropes, I have a bridge to sell you.

The fans boo loudly as “Minas de Cobre” replays but Alvarez pays no attention, immediately beginning to pound Moon's face into the mat. The ref yells at Alvarez to stop, but his screams are largely ineffective.

Epton: Looks like it’s time to punch my time card.

Epton pulls off his headset and dives into the ring, kicking Alvarez off Moon to a roaring ovation! Epton stands over Asai to protect, and Alvarez starts to go after Moon again, but thinks twice and slowly backs out of the ring. Alvarez motions to his waist to say the title is his next week while Epton dares him to fight now.

Troy: Epton and Alvarez for the Progressive Championship, right here next week!

Buckingham: That should be a good one, but something tells me this issue with Alvarez and Asai Moon isn’t quite over yet either.

Troy: I think that’s a pretty astute observation, Randall. Folks, before we head to break, let’s take a look at what happened just a few minutes ago, when John Wolfe confronted Justin Schenck about the status of his International Championship match for next week.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 6:13 – JUAN PABLO ALVAREZ

***

The camera shifts into PWA creative director Justin Schenck’s office, who is having a champagne celebration with new International Champion Chase Stone.

Schenck: Chase, I have to say, you have made me proud. Considering you didn’t even start competing regularly until the tail end of last season, the fact that you have climbed to these heights in such a short time is absolutely breathtaking. Well done, my friend.

The two clank glasses and sip.

Stone: Thank you, Mr. Schenck. I’m thrilled to have lived up to your expectations. But, I’m sure you know, I haven’t come close to living up to mine yet.

Schenck: And I have no doubt you one day will.

Suddenly, the door opens and John Wolfe barges in.

Schenck: John, this is highly inappropriate. I’d expect you to at least knock…

Wolfe: What is the meaning of this?!

Schenck: Of what?

Wolfe: I saw next week’s tentative booking sheet, Schenck. The updated one.

Schenck: And?

Wolfe: And it still lists me as competing against Evan Black. As in FORMER International Champion Evan Black. And it also lists the CURRENT International Champion Chase Stone as teaming with Markus Krieg against Greg Tantalus and a partner of his choosing.

Schenck: Well, that’s going to need to be changed.

Wolfe: (relieved) Thank you!

Schenck: Evan Black is most likely not going to be able to compete next week as result of Solomon’s attack on him. So it looks like you’ll have the week off.

Wolfe: You don’t get it, do you?! You told me that if Jackie Baccaro and I defeated Dawkins and Renegade last week, then I’d get a shot at the International Championship next week. Well, we defeated them, somehow this joker next to you got a shot tonight and won the championship, and now I have the week off?! Why am I not facing Chase Stone next week?!

Schenck: John, there appears to be some kind of a miscommunication here.

Wolfe: What in the bloody hell are you talking about?!

Schenck: When I said you’d face Evan Black, I never once said it would be a title match.

It takes every ounce of John Wolfe’s self-control to keep from blowing up on his boss and destroying his office, but Wolfe, teeth clenched, cannot manage a single word other than to turn around and exit. Upon reaching the outside, Wolfe can be heard screaming a frightening and furious scream as he walks through the hall. Stone and Schenck look at each other and shake their heads judgmentally as we head to commercial.

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return, we see Vulture talking to his wife Morgan Day in their dressing room.

Vulture: You’ll get another shot at her.

Morgan: I hope so. You just can’t ever take these things for granted. She got off easy last week. I want to make sure none of this gets forgotten and some other challenger doesn’t get vaulted ahead of me. You saw tonight’s match. I was mysteriously left out of it.

Vulture: Just keep doing what you’re doing. You’re already turning heads. I know that for a fact.

Morgan: Yeah? That’s good to hear.

Vulture pauses briefly before his next sentence.

Vulture: Speaking of turning heads, I have quite an opportunity tonight.

Morgan: How so?

Vulture: I’ll be in there with guys like Failla and Solomon. Scoring a pin over one of them would be absolutely huge if I ever want to be world champion again.

Morgan: Really? World champion? What about the tag titles?

Vulture: Oh sure, I’d love to win those back too. And Jay and I are going to cash in our rematch sooner or later. But I’m starting to give serious thought to a title run. I think I have one more in me.

Morgan pauses before answering.

Morgan: That’s great. Just promise me you’ll be careful. You know as well as I do the condition of your neck, and if —

Vulture: I know, I know. Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.

With that, there is a knock on the door. When Morgan opens it, she is startled to see Greg Tantalus standing there.

Morgan: Tantalus. What…

Tantalus: Hi Morgan. Would you mind excusing us for a minute? I have something to discuss with your husband.

Morgan: You know, what you did to Mike Griffin last week, that was —

Tantalus: I know. You don’t have to understand it. But I’m not here to talk about that right now.

Vulture: It’s ok, Morgan. I’ve got this. A minute please?

Morgan obliges, exiting the dressing room, but does so very suspiciously.

Vulture: Alright, what’s this all about?

Tantalus: Ok, so obviously you saw what I did to Griffin last week.

Vulture: I did. What does that have to do with me?

Tantalus: Look, it’s no big revelation for me to say that I have some enemies in high places around here. I thought having Griffin as an ally would help me compete, but it didn’t. One guy isn’t enough, especially one guy whose head obviously isn’t in this. I need numbers. Because you and I both know there is strength in numbers.

Vulture pauses briefly, digesting what Tantalus just said.

Vulture: Are you asking me what I think you’re asking me?

Tantalus: What do you think I’m asking you?

Vulture: Stop being coy and just ask it.

Tantalus: I’m asking you to join up with me and reform SIN. Look, next week, I have another shot at Chase Stone and Markus Krieg. But I need a partner. So we start next week, you and me. But then, slowly, we expand to us and a group of carefully selected partners… we could be unstoppable. I had it negotiated into my contract that people officially aligned with me can’t be unfairly railroaded, so we wouldn’t have to worry about Schenck stacking the deck ridiculously. We could literally take over this company.

Vulture: And what’s in it for me? You need this. I don’t.

Tantalus: You don’t? You’re completely happy with the direction of your career right now? Fine. I’ll bite. What’s in it for you? How about a clear path to the PWA Championship? I overheard what you were just saying to Morgan. I don’t care about the title right now. I just want Schenck to suffer. You join with me and I’ll make sure you become champion again.

Vulture is silent for several moments before finally answering.

Vulture: I’m gonna pass.

Tantalus: (incredulous) You’re gonna pass?!

Vulture: Yes. I’m gonna pass.

Tantalus: Give me one good reason.

Vulture: Because I’m done with that part of my career, Tantalus. I want to be champion again, believe me. More than you could ever know. But I want to do it the right way. And if I do it as a part of SIN, I know it’s not going to be a way that I’m proud of. So the answer is no. I’m sorry.

Tantalus looks extremely frustrated, but stops himself from blowing up at his former stablemate.

Tantalus: Fine. Suit yourself.

Tantalus then storms out of the dressing room as the shot fades.

***

Back at ringside, “Hallelujah” by Bishop Lamont featuring Xzibit hits the speakers and the fans begin immediately booing loudly at the arrival of Jackie Baccaro, who makes his way to the ring alongside his girlfriend Alexis Duval, who also happens to be the twin sister of his opponent tonight. Alexis looks noticeably worried and distressed as she takes her place on the outside and Baccaro enters the ring, tossing off his shirt and stretching out on the ring ropes.

Moments later, “Sonne” by Rammstein hits and Chris Duval enters to a smattering of boos, but also a decent amount of cheers. Duval wastes little time getting to the ring, sprinting down the aisle as Baccaro eggs him on. The pain on Alexis’ face is beyond evident as Duval slides into the ring and pops up, giving the referee an opening to signal for the bell.

JACKIE BACCARO VS. CHRIS DUVAL
Referee: Dan Martin
As soon as the bell sounds to kick this match off, Baccaro and Duval dart towards each other and begin absolutely pummeling one another. Duval has the advantage in the extremely early going, but Baccaro takes him and gets on top of him, soon creating enough of an opening to begin punching Chris in the face repeatedly.

Duval attempts to break free, but Baccaro refuses to let him up. Referee Dan Martin steps in and tries to break it up, but Baccaro won’t listen to him either. From there, Baccaro takes the bottom rope and wraps it around Chris’ throat, strangling him! Seeing this, Alexis screams at Baccaro to stop from the outside, but her boyfriend will not listen, continuing to choke her brother with the ring rope. Dan Martin counts to five and Baccaro still will not relent, causing him to signal for an immediate disqualification.

Troy: This is absolutely outrageous!

Buckingham: Even I think something needs to be done here. I think Jackie Baccaro has snapped. This is getting dangerous.
WINNER VIA DISQUALIFICATION AT 1:55 – CHRIS DUVAL

Baccaro continues choking Duval despite the bell, and despite the referee’s protests. Alexis Duval now enters the ring, trying to pry Baccaro off her brother, but he still refuses to listen. Now, several other officials head down the aisle to try their luck, but before they can get there, Vulture darts down the aisle past all of them, slides into the ring, and immediately takes the fight to Baccaro!

Troy: It’s Vulture! Vulture has come to the aid of his son!

Buckingham: For once, I’m actually glad to see Vulture!

Vulture pounds away on Baccaro until he breaks the hold, at which point Baccaro pops up to his feet and begins brawling with his former mentor. Baccaro gets a few good shots in, but Vulture’s rage prevents him from getting much more. Vulture nails several hard shots in a row, giving him the advantage, before whipping him against the ropes, hitting the opposite ropes, and absolutely clobbering Baccaro with a furious running knee to the face! Vulture then lifts Baccaro up and launches over the top and to the outside!

Alexis holds Baccaro back on the outside, looking severely emotionally torn as she helps convince Baccaro to return the locker room. Meanwhile, Lee Palmer announces Chris Duval the winner via disqualification, prompting “Sonne” to replay over the speakers. From there, Vulture offers his hand to his son, pulls him up, and then embraces him, prompting a wave of cheers to sweep over the Ziggo Dome!

Troy: What a moment! A father and son reunited!

Buckingham: What is this, Lifetime?! Who cares!

Troy: You really don’t have a soul, do you?!

Buckingham: The only thing I have right now is the urge to vomit! We’ll be right back!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

Back from break, “Da Repercussions” by 50 Cent hits the speakers and the fans begin booing loudly as Michael Grieco and Dee Licious make their way to the ring. Grieco does not appear to be in a good mood as he heads down the aisle and settles himself in the squared circle, Dee taking her place on the outside.

Moments later, “No Country for Young Men” thumps onto the speakers and the Amsterdam faithful go crazy for Showtime Damon Savage, who arrives in grand fashion! Savage has the crowd eating out of the palm of his hand as he makes his way to the ring. Finally, Showtime enters the squared circle and removes his robe as he stands across from Grieco.

Troy: Alright, this should be a tremendous battle right here! There is certainly no love lost between these two.

Buckingham: Absolutely not. These two battled numerous times in the original incarnation of PWA, and then Grieco won the International Championship from Showtime on season one, episode one of The Rebirth a year ago. Simply put, this battle is a long time coming.

SHOWTIME DAMON SAVAGE VS. MICHAEL GRIECO
Referee: Matt Hansen
The bell sounds, kicking off this match, but Grieco doesn’t appear ready to go, as he has Dee hand him a microphone.

Grieco: Hey Showtime! Before we get started, I have something to say to you. After I beat you tonight, I’m sending you back into obscurity where you came from before someone made the mistake of thinking you were championship material. Because you’re NOT.

Troy: Does Grieco realize the match is in progress?

Grieco: You are nothing but a lowlife, no-talent, never-was jabroni who doesn’t even deserve to lace my boots! Now what do you have to say to that?!

After thinking about it for a moment, Showtime responds with a thunderous left hook that knocks Grieco out cold! Showtime covers… one, two, three!

Troy: I love it! Michael Grieco put his foot in his mouth, and then Showtime just put his left fist in Grieco’s mouth as well! Grieco got exactly what he deserved!

Buckingham: Are you serious?! Grieco wasn’t ready! That’s not fair!

Troy: The bell had rung! Grieco knew it! The match was underway!

Buckingham: I don’t like this one bit!

The fans cheer wildly as “No Country for Young Men” replays and an amused Showtime heads to the back, victorious. Meanwhile, Dee checks on Grieco in the ring, who is still out cold, as we head to commercial.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 1:26 – SHOWTIME DAMON SAVAGE

***

The camera shifts to the backstage area, where PWA World Heavyweight Champion Dan Crowley is addressing his team for tonight’s 10-man tag team main event. Standing in the room are Vulture, The Iceman Jason Calysto, the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe, and the Human Highlight Jon Dulberg.

Crowley: Alright guys, I’m not great at making speeches, and I’m not conceited enough to think I have any great wisdom to impart to any of you. The way I see it, out there, we’re all equals. We all have one task at hand: to win. Those guys, you saw them earlier, there is no chance they can work together. The five of us, if we respect each other and keep that goal in mind, I am confident we can be a well-oiled machine out there. So, let’s fight hard, work together, and win this damn thing!

All the men cheer and storm out of the dressing room, headed for the ring.

Troy: It’s our 10-man tag team main event, and it’s next! Stay with us!

-- COMMERCIAL BREAK --

As we return, “Better Think Again” by Submersed is blaring over the speakers and Anthony Failla is standing in the ring alongside Dexter P. Wellington and the PWA Tag Team Champions Maddox Tate and Pitbull, Texas Justice. Conspicuous by his absence is Solomon.

Troy: Alright ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to PWA: The Rebirth, and it is indeed time for our main event. As you can see, we have Anthony Failla, Texas Justice, and Dex Wellington in the ring, but no sign of Solomon yet. The rest of his partners entered together, but apparently he needs to enter separately.

Buckingham: Solomon never really has worked well with others, has he?

Troy: Not in my experience, no.

Moments later, “Hear Me” by Darkseed lurks onto the speakers and the Alaskan Monster Solomon begins stalking his way to the ring. The arena is a sea of blue as Solomon heads toward the ring, and his eyes appear to be fixated on Anthony Failla. Finally, Solomon steps over the top rope and enters the ring, prompting a staredown to ensue between the two giants of the team. Tate, Pitbull, and Wellington all choose to take their places on the ring apron while Failla and Solomon sort out who starts the match.

From there, “Judas Rising” by Judas Priest hits the speakers, prompting the crowd to cheer thunderously for the opposition! First, Jon Dulberg emerges from behind the curtain, followed by the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe! Then comes Vulture, just prior to The Iceman Jason Calysto, and then, finally, when all four of his partners are flanking the entryway, here comes the PWA World Heavyweight Champion Dan Crowley!

Troy: Listen to this ovation f0r Dan Crowley’s team!

Buckingham: It’s too bad the outcome of this match isn’t decided by the size of the ovation, isn’t it?

Troy: Do you always have to be confrontational?

Buckingham: It’s virtually in my job description, Troy.

The five men head down to the ring in tandem before entering it and getting themselves ready for battle, all while Solomon and Failla continue their staredown.

10-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH:
PWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION DAN CROWLEY, SCYTHE, THE ICEMAN JASON CALYSTO, VULTURE, AND JON DULBERG VS. ANTHONY FAILLA, SOLOMON, PWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS TEXAS JUSTICE, AND DEXTER P. WELLINGTON
As the bell sounds to kick off this match, Failla and Solomon remain standing in the ring, neither willing to exit to allow the other to start. Fortunately, Scythe makes the decision for them, rushing over and crashing into both of them, sending Failla tumbling to the outside!

Scythe attacks Solomon with a vicious array of chops before sending him into the ropes, only to down him with a thunderous double chop upon his return!

When Solomon rises, Scythe looks for one of his patented deep armdrags, but Solomon blocks it and instead nearly rips Scythe’s head off with a mammoth clothesline! Solomon growls angrily right in Failla’s direction and the two nearly have to be separated. Meantime, Scythe tags in Jason Calysto, who enters the ring, spins the Alaskan Monster around, and begins attacking him with repeated lefts and rights!

Troy: Calysto is going to town on Solomon!

Buckingham: Minor setback! Calysto is no match for the Alaskan Monster! No one is!

Calysto whips Solomon into the ropes and attempts the spinning heel kick upon his return, but Solomon catches him and downs him with a thunderous slam! Solomon covers… one, two, and Calysto kicks out.

Having apparently grown tired of this exhibition, Solomon tags in Maddox Tate, telling him to finish Calysto off. Tate tries to oblige, entering the ring and immediately launching a stomp assault on The Iceman. After sufficiently stomping his opponent, Tate adds several stiff elbow drops for good measure before whipping him into the corner and tagging Pitbull into the match.

Tate and Pitbull double-team Calysto in the corner for several moments, before Pitbull takes over the aggression in the ring. Ultimately, Calysto gets back to a vertical base and Pitbull takes the opportunity to taunt him, allowing The Iceman to crush the Tag Team Champion with an enziguri!

Troy: What an enziguri by Calysto! You can’t give him any openings!

Buckingham: What we can’t give him here is a chance to tag out!

Troy: We?!

Buckingham: Lay off me, I’m into this!

Calysto and Pitbull are each crawling to their corners, trying desperately to make tags, and it is Pitbull that does it first, tagging in Wellington. Dex charges into the ring, trying to cut Calysto off, but The Iceman reaches out and tags in Jon Dulberg!

Troy: Dulberg! Dulberg is gonna get his hands on Wellington!

Wellington’s expression changes as soon as Dulberg enters the ring, but he quickly changes that expression to a smile. He begins trying to reason with Dulberg before trying to distract him, but Dulberg doesn’t fall for it and decks Wellington with a hard right! However, Wellington crawls to his corner and tags in Anthony Failla!

Buckingham: Sorry Dulberg! Not looking good for you!

Failla enters, smirking, but Dulberg doesn’t back down. Dulberg locks up with Failla, but Failla whips him against the ropes and crushes him with a thunderous powerslam! After this, Wellington begs Failla to tag him back in, and he obliges.

Wellington runs into the ring and begins stomping away on Dulberg furiously. However, when he lifts Dulberg back up, the Human Highlight reverses it, allowing him time to hit the Tiebreaker! Wellington is substantially dazed, but right near the corner. Failla, Tate, and Pitbull all have their hands outstretched. Solomon does not appear to be paying attention. Meanwhile, Dulberg steadily begins making it back to his corner, still disoriented from Failla’s powerslam! Ultimately, Wellington is able to make the tag in to Failla, but at the same instant, Dulberg tags in Crowley!

Troy: Oh man! Crowley and Failla! Picking up right where they left off last week!

Buckingham: This should be interesting!

The two waste no time going at it, unloading on each other with vicious right and lefts, both men trying to establish the advantage. Crowley gains it initially, pounding Failla back to the corner before whipping him into the opposite one, crushing him with a thunderous clothesline! As Failla staggers out of the corner, Crowley leaps up to the top rope and jumps off, nailing him with the Shadow of the Nite! Crowley covers… one, two, and Failla gets a shoulder up.

Crowley stomps away on Failla as the former champion powers his way back to his feet, at which point Crowley whips him against the ropes. However, Failla ducks under it, stops short, and nearly decapitates Crowley with a brutal clothesline as soon as he turns around.

After a brief pause to taunt the Amsterdam crowd, Failla lifts Crowley up, looking for the Weapon of Mass Destruction. However, Crowley slips out and, when Failla turns around, nails him with a muay thai kick to the head that sends Failla down to a knee!

Both men shake off the cobwebs, but Crowley does so first, getting to his feet, heading to his corner, and tagging in Vulture!

Troy: Here comes Vulture!

Buckingham: C’mon Vulture! Feed yourself to Failla again! You know you can’t beat him!

Vulture enters the ring and immediately takes the fight to Failla, slamming away on him with militant lefts and rights, catching Failla completely off guard! Failla is dazed and Vulture looks to take immediate advantage, whipping Failla against the ropes and crushing him down with a thunderous Chill Factor spinebuster! Sensing a tremendous opportunity before him, Vulture climbs to the top rope and, with all of Amsterdam behind him, leaps forth with the Fallen Angel frog splash!

Troy: Vulture’s going for it! He’s trying to end this match!

Buckingham: He’s out of his mind!

Vulture’s flight is flawless, but Failla brings his knees to his chest at the last moment and Vulture’s body crashes right into them! Vulture staggers to his feet in intense pain, allowing Failla to pop up and absolutely crush him with the Weapon of Mass Destruction! Before the impact is even registered, Maddox Tate, Pitbull, and Dex Wellington have entered the ring, ready to stop any of Vulture’s teammates from breaking up the ensuing pinfall. Solomon stands on the apron, aloof.

Meanwhile, Failla rolls Vulture over and covers… one, two, three.

Buckingham: Wow! Now THAT was impressive!

Troy: Vulture was just absolutely decimated by that Weapon of Mass Destruction! Anthony Failla just continues to impress!

Buckingham: I can’t believe you just said that!

Troy: I don’t discriminate against people, Randall. I can respect the performance of a man whose views I don’t agree with, and tonight, I respect the performance of Anthony Failla.

Buckingham: And I think three out of his four partners respected his performance too. Tate, Pitbull, and Wellington were there to make sure no one broke up his cover, and now they can all celebrate victory.

The fans boo vociferously as “Better Think Again” replays over the speakers and Failla celebrates the victory with Texas Justice and Dex Wellington. Failla then turns to Dan Crowley and gestures around his waist, letting Crowley know that he wants another shot at the PWA Championship. Meanwhile, Solomon backpedals up the ramp, never taking his eyes off Failla. The camera pans around the ring, focusing first on Vulture, still lying helpless in the ring, before panning up to the victorious Failla as we fade to black.

Troy: That’s it for tonight, folks. We’ll see you next week in Rome! Goodnight, everybody!
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 11:09 – ANTHONY FAILLA, SOLOMON, TEXAS JUSTICE, AND DEXTER P. WELLINGTON


-- END SHOW --


Pre-Show Dark Matches:
1. Matthew Magellan def. Darrin Giles with the Strait of Magellan at 4:16. (Referee: Matt Hansen)
2. Morgan Day def. Jade with the Daybreak at 4:28. (Referee: Tom Stevens)
3. Paul Dawkins def. The Omega with the MOAB at 5:02. (Referee: Jose Soares)