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PWA: The Rebirth 
SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011
The FBI warning appears across the screen before fading into a video montage, set to production theme “Dreamchild.” Narration plays over slow-motion images of PWA stars.
Narrator: Every performer that has ever set foot in a PWA ring dreams of one thing. They dream of walking onto the biggest stage this company has to offer, Everlasting Epic, and walking out the PWA World Heavyweight Champion.
Tonight, two friends will wage war over that very championship, with the victor moving one step closer to Everlasting Epic. For Dan Crowley, it is a chance to extend his reign, a chance to repeat the ultimate glory he achieved last year and stand proudly atop the mountain one more time. For Showtime Damon Savage, it is a chance at redemption, to finally claim the title that has so long eluded him, go back to Everlasting Epic, and wash away the bitter taste of defeat he experienced a year ago.
But tonight also provides 30 men with an opportunity to live their dream. For the winner of tonight’s Symphony of Destruction match will advance directly to the Everlasting Epic main event, a shot at the PWA Championship guaranteed. That one resilient man will leave here tonight with his dream firmly within reach, while 29 others leave broken, their dreams shattered.
From there, “Last Man Standing” by Pop Evil hits and we are taken inside the Tokyo Dome in
The camera pans around the arena, which is filled to capacity with 55,000 spectators. At ringside, we see two announce tables set up: one with two Japanese commentators seated behind it, and one with our familiar commentators, Victor Troy and Randall Buckingham.
Buckingham: For once, Troy, I agree with you! This is my first Symphony of Destruction, and I’m stoked!
Buckingham: Don’t those guys play for the
Buckingham: I’m not sure who it’s gonna be, Troy, but I sure as hell can’t wait to find out!
Buckingham: A few weeks back,
Buckingham: I hope Stone enjoyed the title while he could, because we’re going to see a new champion tonight!
Buckingham: Each of the challengers has a chance to become the first four-time champ in PWA history tonight, but I just don’t see the gold leaving Zina’s waist.
Buckingham: Next! Easy win for Texas Justice!
Troy: In a tag team grudge match, Vulture and Chris Duval team up to meet Jackie Baccaro and John Wolfe, who will have Alexis Duval in their corner!
Buckingham: Are you sure about that one? After getting cracked in the mouth by Baccaro this past Tuesday night, I’m really not sure where Alexis’ loyalties lie.
***
With that, “Merciless Cult” by Dir en Grey hits the speakers and Asai Moon makes his way to the ring to a thunderous ovation!
When Moon enters the ring, “Map of the Problematique” by Muse hits and the cheers keep on coming for Paul Epton.
Buckingham: What kind of mood would you be in four days after losing a championship?
Epton settles in the ring just as “Aksem” by Ahlam hits the speakers and Saif al Abbad makes his entrance, also being met by considerable cheers! Saif joins his partners in the ring and they await their opposition.
Moments later, “Marriage of Figaro” by Mozart hits and the fans boo loudly as Dexter P. Wellington makes his entrance. The boos maintain their volume when “Minas de Cobre” by Calexico plays and Juan Pablo Alvarez heads down the aisle. However, when “The Final Countdown” by the London Symphony Orchestra hits, the boos grow both louder and fewer, with three quarters of the crowd booing vehemently at the arrival of the new PWA Progressive Champion Matthew Magellan, and another quarter of the crowd actually cheering.
Troy: And here comes the new Progressive Champion, the man that robbed Paul Epton of the title just four nights ago.
Buckingham: I don’t think Magellan robbed anyone,
Magellan enters the ring and treats the crowd to a few gyrating pelvic swivels before removing his robe to reveal the championship belt. Seeing the title around Magellan’s waist raises Epton’s ire and he dares Magellan to start the match with him, a request the new champion accepts.
SIX-MAN CRUISERWEIGHT DIVISION TAG TEAM MATCH:
PWA PROGRESSIVE CHAMPION MATTHEW MAGELLAN, DEXTER P. WELLINGTON, AND JUAN PABLO ALVAREZ VS. PAUL EPTON, ASAI MOON, AND SAIF AL ABBAD
Referee: Jose Soares
As soon as the bell sounds, Epton rushes Magellan and downs him with knees to the shoulders! Magellan pops back to his feet, but Epton is able to floor him again with spinning side kick! Then, when Magellan rises again, Epton springboards off the ropes and nails him with a back leg kick!
Buckingham: I’d imagine he’s still fairly peeved about losing the Progressive Championship a few nights ago.
Epton attempts to keep the pressure mounted, but Magellan is able to turn the momentum around with a well-placed counter. After several stomps and elbows, Magellan takes the opportunity to gyrate in Epton’s general direction, prompting jeers from the crowd.
Epton gets back to his feet and charges at Magellan, taking the advantage back briefly. However, Magellan is quick to return the advantage to his favor, slowing the pace of the former Progressive Champion with suplexes and methodical offense. With Epton sufficiently battered, Magellan makes the tag to Juan Pablo Alvarez, who picks up right where the reigning Progressive Champion left off.
Alvarez keeps Epton grounded with several hard knee drops, followed by a technically-sound chinlock. At length, Epton battles back to a vertical base, though Alvarez keeps the hold cinched in. Finally, Epton breaks the hold, hits the ropes, and makes the tag to Asai Moon!
Asai enters the ring on fire, bouncing off the ropes and downing Alvarez with a flying shoulder tackle! Alvarez gets to his feet, but Asai takes him down again with a hurricanrana! Alvarez rolls out of the ring after impact, attempting to catch his breath. However, Asai gets a running start and propels himself onto the top rope before leaping off with a spinning corkscrew plancha that takes Alvarez down on the outside!
Buckingham: I have to hand it to him, Troy, that was impressive!
Moon is the first to his feet and he lifts Alvarez and rolls him back into the ring. From there, when Alvarez gets back to his feet, Asai grabs him and nails him with the flip bottom! Asai covers… one, two, and Alvarez gets the shoulder up!
Alvarez gets back to his feet, but Asai grabs him and nails him with the Asai DDT! Another cover… one, two, and
Asai winces in pain, providing Alvarez an opportunity to scoot over to his corner and tag in Dex Wellington, who enters the ring and immediately goes to work on Asai, keeping him grounded. However, after working him over for some time, Asai ducks under a clothesline, springboards off the ropes, and clotheslines
Saif enters the ring and downs the rising
Buckingham: Unbelievable. What a crappy start to this show.
Cheers fill the Tokyo Dome as “Aksem” replays over the speakers and Saif al Abbad, Asai Moon, and Paul Epton celebrate their victory in the ring. The losing team regroups on the outside of the ring, with all six men fully aware what is at stake later tonight, when they all compete in the Symphony of Destruction match.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 6:26 – PAUL EPTON, ASAI MOON, AND SAIF AL ABBAD
***
The camera shifts to the backstage area, where we can see Paul Dawkins lying face down on the ground, unresponsive. Renegade rushes the scene and yells out for a medic.
Buckingham: Were you talking to him earlier tonight,
Buckingham: Eh, worst case scenario Dawkins and Renegade get spared the embarrassment of being destroyed by Texas Justice again.
***
Back at ringside, “Reise, Reise” by Rammstein hits and the fans boo loudly as Markus Krieg stalks his way out to ringside.
Buckingham: There’s your next International Champion right there!
Buckingham: There’s nothing wrong with Chase, but he’s way overmatched here. I’m expecting domination from Krieg.
As Krieg settles himself in the ring, “Amazing” by Kanye West hits and fans are mostly cheering for the once-reviled International Champion Chase Stone, who powers down the aisle with determination in his eyes. Stone rolls into the ring and hands over the championship, barely able to contain his eagerness to fight while ring announcer Lee Palmer introduces the pair.
Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest, scheduled for one fall, is for the PWA International Championship!
Introducing first, the challenger, from
And his opponent, from
PWA INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
CHASE STONE (champion) VS. MARKUS KRIEG (challenger)
Referee: Matt Hansen
As soon as the bell sounds, Stone surprises Krieg by going right after him, slugging away on him with repeated rights and lefts! Krieg is put off balance, but ultimately is able to recover and pound Stone back to the ropes. Krieg then charges Stone, but the International Champion has the wherewithal to back body drop Krieg over the top and to the outside! Then, Stone climbs to the top rope and dives down onto the rising Krieg on the outside!
Buckingham: Sure, but it’s only delaying the inevitable.
Krieg and Stone are both slow to their feet on the outside, but when they do both rise, Krieg whips Stone into the steel barricade before attempting to bash his head into the guardrail. However, Stone is able to block the move before bashing Krieg’s head into the rail instead! Stone follows this up by introducing Krieg’s head to the steel several more times before the bell sounds.
Buckingham: What happened?!
Confusion reigns until ring announcer Lee Palmer makes the announcement.
Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, both men have been counted out! As a result, STILL PWA International Champion… CHAAAAASE STOOOOONE!
Buckingham: Oh come on! That’s so lame!
WINNER AT 1:51 – DOUBLE COUNT-OUT; STILL INTERNATIONAL CHAMPION – CHASE STONE
Krieg seems to agree with Buckingham’s assessment, taking it upon himself to down Stone with a shoulderblock after the announcement. From there, Krieg begins to beat on Stone all the way up the aisle to the base of the stage. From there, Krieg grabs Stone and absolutely destroys him with a vicious BlitzKrieg! The fans boo loudly as Krieg lets out a guttural yell and poses before the fallen Stone.
Buckingham: I’m not sure,
***
The camera shifts to the backstage area, where backstage reporter Traci Reed is with Maddox Tate and Pitbull, the PWA Tag Team Champions Texas Justice.
Traci: Ladies and gentlemen, I’m here with the PWA Tag Team Champions Texas Justice, two men who have some explaining to do. Maddox Tate, Pitbull, you obviously know by now that Paul Dawkins was taken out backstage and may not be able to compete tonight. Now, I will ask the question everyone wants answered. Are you responsible?
Tate: Is this some kind of joke? Do you really think we’d waste our time and energy taking Paul Dawkins out? Are you not aware that we already beat these guys a couple months ago, and quite easily I might add? What motivation could we possibly have in eliminating one half of a team we know we can easily defeat?
Traci: You’re not answering the question. Yes or no. Are you responsible?
Pitbull: No, Traci. We’re not responsible. And frankly, we’re insulted by the accusation. If Dawkins makes the match, we’ll beat their asses and retain our titles. If he can’t and Renegade wants to find a replacement, we’ll beat their asses and retain our titles. And if the match gets cancelled, well then we’ll face ‘em in July, beat their asses, and retain our titles. Now out of our way, toots.
***
Back at ringside, the unfamiliar opening notes of Muse’s “Hysteria” hit the speakers and the
Buckingham: But she’s headed for the same result up against Zina tonight,
Morgan rides the wave of cheers to the ring, a look of complete determination etched on her face as she enters, before stretching out on the ropes.
Then, “Free” by VAST hits and Lauren Tantalus makes her way down the aisle to a wide array of cheers, though slightly less than the one that meets Morgan. Lauren enters the ring and exchanges a fairly tense stare with Morgan while both await the arrival of the champion.
Moments later, “Demons” by Aria hits and an initial wave of boos greets the PWA Women’s Champion Zina as she emerges from behind the curtain. However, as Zina powerwalks her way to the ring, a smattering of respectful cheers can be heard.
Buckingham: Sure, an opportunity to be vanquished at the hands of Zina. Like I just said, I really don’t see either of these women walking out of here with the victory.
Finally, Zina enters the ring and hands the championship belt over to referee Dan Martin as ring announcer Lee Palmer begins the introductions.
Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this next contest is a triangle elimination match, and it is for the PWA Women’s Championship!
Introducing first, one of the challengers, from
Her opponent and challenger, from
And their opponent, from
PWA WOMEN’S CHAMPIONSHIP – TRIANGLE ELIMINATION MATCH:
ZINA (champion) VS. MORGAN DAY (challenger) VS. LAUREN TANTALUS (challenger)
Referee: Dan Martin
The bell sounds and Zina immediately goes to work, taking down first Morgan and then Lauren with vicious running shoulder blocks before taunting the crowd, which responds with thunderous jeers. Morgan is to her feet first, and Zina is there to meet her with crushing forearms, keeping her off balance. Then, Lauren gets to her feet and Zina charges her, looking for the Siberian Express bicycle kick right away! Lauren manages to sidestep the brunt of the move, but still gets caught with it in the shoulder, knocking her down.
Buckingham: Lauren just got lucky, Troy! Another foot over and that connects with her jaw and she’s history!
Morgan and Zina take the fight to each other with Lauren down, and Morgan develops a temporary advantage. Temporary is the key word, however, as Zina is able to reverse an Irish whip into the ropes and drill Morgan to the mat with a vicious overhead belly-to-belly suplex upon her return. Zina then goes for the cover, but Morgan is able to get a shoulder up.
Zina works over Morgan with a vicious array of stomps and knees before Lauren gets back to her feet and pries Zina off. Lauren nails Zina with several stiff forearms, serving to back her up, before Zina is able to gain her bearings and take Lauren down with a belly to belly suplex as well.
Zina now attacks both Lauren and Morgan with vicious stomps, trying to keep both of them grounded. However, she is able to keep Morgan down only so long, and the three-time former Women’s Champion pops back to a vertical base and unloads on Zina. Morgan whips Zina into the ropes and attacks her with a thunderous clothesline. Morgan then attempts a roundhouse kick to the face, but Zina ducks under it and nails her with a backbreaker.
The champion turns around only to be nailed by Lauren with a dropkick. Zina is staggered, so Lauren lets loose with another! Zina is teetering, prompting the fans to cheer, as Lauren climbs to the top rope, looking to down Zina once and for all. Lauren leaps forth, but Zina catches her and dumps her over the top rope and to the outside!
Buckingham: I don’t think we’ll be seeing her for a while!
Morgan is now on her feet and she and Zina engage in a staredown. Zina makes the first move, downing Morgan with a clubbing forearm. Morgan is able to power back to her feet, however, and begins blocking a series of Zina punches before unleashing an onslaught of her own! Morgan whips Zina against the ropes and attempts a clothesline on the rebound, but Zina ducks under it and looks for the Siberian Express when she returns. However, Morgan ducks under it and downs Zina with the roundhouse kick! Then, Morgan grabs Zina’s legs and locks on the Sharpshooter!
Buckingham: No way! Zina’s not going down like this! She just can’t!
Morgan cinches the hold in with everything she has, but it just isn’t enough to keep the champion down. Zina powers Morgan off, kicking her away. However, when she rises and turns around, she is nailed with another spinning roundhouse kick to the face! Morgan covers… one, two, and Zina gets the shoulder up.
Zina is slow to her feet, and Morgan climbs to the top rope, waiting for her. When Zina rises, Morgan leaps off and takes her down with a Blockbuster! Then, when Zina rises again, Morgan leaps up to the top rope and attempts a picture-perfect moonsault, nailing the standing Zina and tying it into a pinning combination! One, two, thr-NO! Zina gets the shoulder up!
The fans are standing as Zina once again tries to make it to her feet, but this time, Morgan grabs her and crushes her with the Daybreak, right in the center of the ring! Morgan covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: Oh my God! I literally cannot believe it! I didn’t think this day would ever come!
The fans are cheering wildly as Morgan collects herself in the ring, but before she even has a chance to gather herself, Lauren slides back into the ring, grabs her, and nails her with the Tiger Driver, hooking the leg upon impact! One, two, three!
Buckingham: What?!
Buckingham: Get outta here! Really?!
Troy: Morgan Day pinned Zina, only to be pinned by Lauren Tantalus seconds later! Unbelievable!
Buckingham: I never knew Lauren was so opportunistic! She is most definitely a Tantalus, I will say that much!
The fans are initially confused but then break into cheers as “Free” replays and Lauren Tantalus is announced the new champion. Morgan Day is nearly unconscious inside the ring as Lauren celebrates with her newly-won championship, now the only four-time Women’s Champion in PWA history. Meanwhile, Zina exits the ring and engages in a heated staredown with the new champion as the shot fades.
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 8:29 AND NEW WOMEN’S CHAMPION – LAUREN TANTALUS
***
The camera cuts backstage, where Alexis Duval is talking with John Wolfe.
Alexis: I don’t know. I really don’t know what to say about it. I’m mad at myself for even letting it happen.
Wolfe: You have nothing to be mad at yourself about, Alexis. You didn’t deserve for Jackie to slap you. He is the one who made the mistake. And frankly, it’s a mistake that you shouldn’t be tolerating. Has he at least apologized?
Alexis: He has, but you know Jackie. He made a mistake, he apologized, and now everyone’s just supposed to go on living their lives like nothing happened. I don’t know how I do that.
Wolfe: You shouldn’t have to.
Jackie Baccaro now walks onto the scene.
Baccaro: Shouldn’t have to what?
Wolfe: I don’t believe I was talking to you, Baccaro.
Baccaro: Listen to me, punk. Recognize who is the captain of our tag team tonight. I’ve proven myself around here; you still haven’t. So we’re gonna go out to that ring, and you’re gonna follow my lead. Then, if you’ve got a problem with me, we can settle it like men after we take out Vulture and Chris. As far as Alexis goes, you stay the hell out of our business, you got it?
Wolfe: You keep your hands to yourself or I’ll make it my business. I’ll see you out there.
Wolfe exits, headed for the ring, and Baccaro turns to Alexis.
Baccaro (speaking at the same time as Alexis): You’re airing our dirty laundry now? What business of it is his? We’ll talk about this later. Maybe you need to look up the meaning of “I’m sorry.”
Alexis (speaking at the same time as Baccaro): Are you serious? You can’t honestly be thinking that I should be over this already. Whatever.
***
Back at ringside, “Falling From the Sky” by VAST hits the speakers and the fans cheer wildly as Vulture makes his way to the ring. Vulture has a stoic look on his face as he heads to the ring and steps inside it, ready for action.
Moments later, “Sonne” by Rammstein hits and Chris Duval enters much the same way. Duval enters the ring and shakes hands with his father as they prepare for battle.
The first of their opponents to enter is John Wolfe, who is played to the ring by Skunk Anansie’s “Charlie Big Potato.” Wolfe is booed loudly as he enters the squared circle and stands opposite Vulture and Duval.
Then, “Hallelujah” by Bishop Lamont featuring Xzibit hits the speakers and the boos increase in volume as Jackie Baccaro enters the arena, flanked by Alexis Duval.
Baccaro has a smug look etched on his face as he walks to the ring, while Alexis clearly looks like she doesn’t want to be there. Baccaro enters the ring and says something inaudible to Wolfe before removing his shirt and ducking into his corner for his pre-match prayer.
VULTURE & CHRIS DUVAL VS. JACKIE BACCARO & JOHN WOLFE
Referee: Tom Stevens
When Baccaro emerges, before the bell can even ring, John Wolfe suddenly grabs Baccaro by the throat and violently chokeslams him to the mat!
Buckingham: What the hell was that?!
Wolfe stares down at Baccaro and sneers before exiting the ring, meeting Alexis in the aisle, and escorting her to the back.
WINNERS – NO CONTEST
Then, in the ring, Vulture and Chris Duval begin doing a vicious number on Baccaro, pummeling him with stomps. Baccaro struggles to get to his feet, but when he does, he is immediately blasted with the Duval Driver from Chris Duval. At this point, Vulture exits the ring and grabs a steel chair.
Buckingham: Well, considering that Baccaro slapped Vulture’s daughter and Chris’ sister in the mouth a few nights back, I can’t imagine they are going to show him too much mercy.
Vulture unloads on Baccaro, smacking him several times in the torso and legs with the chair. He then places the chair on the mat, lifts Baccaro up, and crushes him with a thunderous Crimson Sunset!
At that moment, Chris Duval, a look of pure hatred in his eyes, secures the chair around Baccaro’s neck, creating a makeshift guillotine.
Buckingham: No way.
After pausing for a moment and receiving nary a protest from Vulture, Duval leaps up and smashes his foot down onto the chair, crunching Baccaro’s neck inside! The
The Tokyo crowd is silent as Vulture and Duval retreat to the back while Baccaro is, at length, fitted in a neck brace and stretchered away.
Buckingham: I can’t believe what we just saw.
Buckingham: True, but you know, some people might say he had this coming. You saw him crack Alexis across the mouth last Tuesday on The Rebirth.
Buckingham: Perhaps? What else could it be? And assuming that’s indeed the case, can you blame any of the parties involved? Can you blame Alexis and her good friend Wolfe for leaving a man who slapped the taste out of her mouth a few days ago? Can you blame Chris for trying to end the career of a man who slapped his sister? Can you blame Vulture for taking advantage of an opportunity to potentially dispose of his most hated rival once and for all, days after watching him cracking his daughter across the mouth?
Buckingham: Putting myself in their shoes, I find it hard to say no.
Buckingham: The other thing we need to discuss is whether or not Greg Tantalus signed off on Wolfe and Alexis’ abandonment of Baccaro. Did they approach him with the plan of hanging Baccaro out to dry and he signed off on it? Or did they act out on their own?
Buckingham: We’ll see what happens if Tantalus or Krieg cross paths with Wolfe later on tonight in the Symphony of Destruction match.
Troy: And of course, we hope to get more information about this as the broadcast rolls on, but in the meantime, let’s send it backstage to our colleague Traci Reed, who is with our creative director Justin Schenck.
***
The camera cuts backstage to Traci Reed and Justin Schenck.
Traci: Thanks Victor. I am indeed here with Mr. Schenck, who has an update on our Tag Team Championship match tonight. So, Mr. Schenck, what’s the word? Will Paul Dawkins be able to compete tonight?
Schenck: Well Traci, before I get to that, I’d like to first say that I think what just happened in that ring is reprehensible and both Vulture and Chris Duval can expect to be fined for their actions. Trust me, given Jackie Baccaro’s recent affiliation with Greg Tantalus and the way he put his hands on a woman last week, he’s not exactly my favorite competitor on the roster, but you don’t go out there and try to break a man’s neck and end his career.
With that said, yes Traci, I do have an update on the Tag Team Championship match. In fact, I have known for some time that Mr. Dawkins will NOT be able to compete this evening. However, though I haven’t shared that information with all of you, I have been corresponding with Renegade, and have granted him the right to choose a replacement partner for tonight. And, I am pleased to say that Renegade has chosen that replacement and is ready to go. So Traci, the match will go down, and it will go down right now!
***
The camera shifts to ringside, where “Mouth For War” by Pantera blares onto the speakers and the PWA Tag Team Champions Maddox Tate and Pitbull, better known as Texas Justice, make their way to the ring to a chorus of boos.
Troy: Alright Randall, it looks like we’re about to have ourselves a Tag Team Championship match after all, and I think that’s a great decision!
Buckingham: Of course you would! Paul Dawkins can’t compete. This match should have been cancelled. Texas Justice has had no time to prepare for a mystery replacement.
Buckingham: Excuse me?! That is quite the accusation you are throwing around! There is absolutely NO evidence to indicate Texas Justice had ANYTHING to do with the attack on Paul Dawkins!
Buckingham: The truth will come out eventually, mark my words.
As the champions settle themselves in the ring, “You Don’t Know” by Eminem and 50 Cent hits and the fans cheer wildly as Renegade makes his energetic entrance!
Buckingham: What is the meaning of this?! Your partner gets attacked backstage and you dance your way down the aisle?! Maybe HE is the culprit!
Buckingham: All I’m saying is he’s a suspect.
Renegade stands at the foot of the ring as his music fades and silence reigns for several moments. Then, “My Avenue” by Lil Boosie hits and the roof nearly blows off the Tokyo Dome!
Buckingham: Oh come on! Are you kidding me?! I thought he wasn’t returning until the Symphony of Destruction match later on!
Buckingham: You know what? I think we have our prime suspect!
Buckingham: You asked me who had a motive, and how’s this for motive? Dawkins goes down, so glory-hog Jaguar takes the spot, gets a chance at Texas Justice, and can walk out of here with a title? It’s too perfect!
Jaguar heads down the aisle and slaps hands with Renegade before entering the ring and getting in the faces of Maddox Tate and Pitbull. As all four men approach center ring and the title belts are handed to referee Jose Soares, Lee Palmer begins the introductions.
Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this match is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the PWA Tag Team Championship!
Introducing first, the challengers, at a total combined weight of 485 pounds. First, from
And his partner, from
And their opponents, at a total combined weight of 440 pounds, they are the PWA Tag Team Champions… the team of MADDDDDOXXX TATE and PIIIIIITBULLLLLL… TEXAAAAAAAS JUUUUUUUSTIIIICE!
With that, Jaguar and Maddox Tate elect to start the match off for their respect teams as a buzz resonates throughout the Tokyo Dome.
PWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
TEXAS JUSTICE (champions) VS. RENEGADE & JAGUAR (challengers)
Referee: Jose Soares
As soon as the bell sounds, Jaguar charges right at Maddox Tate and takes him down with a Thesz press, which the fans cheer wildly! Jaguar then mounts Tate and peppers him with a flurry of hard lefts and rights before getting up and knocking Pitbull off the ring apron!
Jaguar turns back to Tate and lets loose on him some more, whipping him into the ropes and downing him with a hard back body drop! Tate crawls over to his corner and tags in Pitbull, who is now back on the apron, and Pitbull enters the ring charging Jaguar with a head of steam. However, Jaguar is able to use this momentum against Pitbull, taking him down with a spinebuster!
With Pitbull down, Renegade calls for the tag and Jaguar obliges. Renegade climbs right to the top rope and nails Pitbull with a thunderous diving elbow! Renegade covers… one, two, and Pitbull gets a shoulder up.
Pitbull gets back to a vertical base but Renegade is all over him, attacking him with a flurry of hard knife-edge chops. Renegade then whips Pitbull against the ropes, but Pitbull ducks under Renegade’s attempted kick and instead chop-blocks Renegade to the mat. Seeing the opening, Pitbull makes the tag to Maddox Tate, who enters the ring and begins viciously putting the boots to his opponent.
Buckingham: You have to love the aggressiveness of this Texas Justice team. These guys are just bruisers, and they can absorb a hell of a lot of punishment too.
Renegade struggles to get back to his feet, but every time he gets to his knees, Tate pounds on him with knees and axe-handles. Finally, Tate lifts Renegade and whips him against the ropes, but Renegade nails him with a karate chop to the throat upon his return! Renegade then charges, looking for a bulldog, but Tate sees it coming and shoves him off. Then, when Renegade pops up, Tate nails him with a gourdbuster.
Renegade winces in pain on the mat as Tate smirks at Jaguar and runs his thumb across his throat. Tate then lifts Renegade up and crushes him with the Backfire, while Pitbull rushes around the side of the ring to pull Jaguar off the ring apron! Tate covers… one, two, Jaguar breaks free and rushes back into the ring, three!
Buckingham: That’s it! Texas Justice wins!
The fans boo as “Mouth For War” replays and Texas Justice are announced still the PWA Tag Team Champions. Tate and Pitbull quickly get out of dodge while a furious Jaguar checks on Renegade, shouting back at his smirking rivals as they backpedal up the aisle, victorious.
WINNERS VIA PINFALL AT 5:07 AND STILL TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS – TEXAS JUSTICE
***
The camera cuts backstage, where Traci Reed is standing with the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe.
Traci: Congratulations to Texas Justice on retaining the PWA Tag Team Championship, but with the conclusion of that battle, we are one step closer to the mammoth Symphony of Destruction match.
Now, one note on the match: we have learned that Jackie Baccaro has been rushed to the hospital and may have suffered a broken neck as result of the attack on him earlier this evening. Of course, he will NOT be able to compete in the SOD tonight, so he will be replaced with a new entrant at Justin Schenck’s discretion.
Beyond that, everyone has been anxious to get reaction from Greg Tantalus and Markus Krieg after their allies John Wolfe and Alexis Duval abandoned Baccaro and allowed Vulture and Chris Duval to decimate him. However, while I have been working tirelessly to obtain information, neither Tantalus nor Krieg will offer up any commentary, and all the parties in the match are likewise refusing to comment. Even Morgan Day won’t speak to us.
However, with me at this time is a man with his own controversy heading into the Symphony of Destruction, the 2004 winner of the match, the Modern-Day Samurai Scythe. Scythe, knowing that Don Cerrone is here with a mystery entrant in this year’s SOD, what are you thinking about heading into this match?
Scythe: Quite frankly, Traci, I couldn’t care less about Don Cerrone’s mystery entrant into the SOD. Cerrone has provided an unwanted distraction for the last several weeks, and if it wasn’t for him, I might be standing here the PWA Champion as we speak. With that said, if I happen to be in the ring when his entrant comes out, I will promptly eliminate him. However, my desire to get payback on Don Cerrone is secondary to my desire to once again win the Symphony of Destruction and secure my spot in the main event of Everlasting Epic. There are 29 obstacles standing in my way, Traci. And this blade will CUT… THEM… DOWN!
***
The camera shifts back to Victor Troy and Randall Buckingham at ringside.
Buckingham: It’ll be REAL interesting to see how
Troy: You could be right, but I am not going to sit here and doubt Dan Crowley. After what he showed us all against Anthony Failla a few weeks back, there is no way I can pick against him. But folks, we won’t have to wonder long. Our championship match begins… now!
***
A video package airs, set to production theme “Native Son,” highlighting the events that led us to tonight’s world championship match between Dan Crowley and Showtime Damon Savage, taking us through their parallel runs to the gold during season one of PWA: The Rebirth a year ago, through Crowley’s title victory over Savage and Anthony Failla at Everlasting Epic VI, all the way to the signing of tonight’s bout.
***
Back at ringside, “No Country for Young Men” by Ice Cube hits the speakers and the fans burst into thunderous cheers as Showtime Damon Savage starts his way down the aisle, ready for the biggest match of his life.
Wearing a black and gold robe, Showtime shadowboxes at the base of the stage, eliciting thunderous pyro, before continuing down the aisle and heading into the ring. Collecting his thoughts and getting himself into the zone, Showtime stretches out on the ropes and prepares for battle.
Moments later, “Judas Rising” by Judas Priest blares onto the speakers and the fans keep the cheers going for the PWA World Heavyweight Champion Dan Crowley!
Troy: Alright, here we go! Our world championship match is upon us!
Buckingham: It’s put up or shut up time for Showtime,
As Showtime and
Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, this match, scheduled for one fall, is for the PWA World Heavyweight Championship!
Introducing first, the challenger, from
And his opponent, from
With that, referee Matt Hansen holds the title belt high as champion and challenger stare each other down.
PWA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP:
DAN
Referee: Matt Hansen
Savage pops up and
Buckingham: I knew it! I knew it was just a matter of time before Showtime attacked those ribs! And he should! You have to exploit your opponent’s weakness!
Perched on the top rope, Showtime waits for
The fans are cheering, but the volume in the building rises dramatically when
Buckingham: And Showtime’s dreams will be shattered once again!
Buckingham: This can’t be good for Showtime! Where does he turn now that
Showtime shows visible frustration on his face as he regroups and figures out what to do next. The first thing he does is attempt another cover, which
Savage lifts
Buckingham: These guys are both digging down deep! Who will be the first to break?
Savage is slow to his feet, but so is
Showtime regroups on the outside while
Buckingham: I think Showtime should have just brought
Showtime then grabs
Buckingham: He’s done,
Amidst the shrapnel, Showtime gets himself back to his feet and slowly lifts
Buckingham: I thought he was finished there too, but it’s just a matter of time now! It HAS to be!
Buckingham: Maybe he does! Both competitors are giving it absolutely everything they have here!
Again, both men are slow to their feet, but it is clear this time that
When Showtime gets back to his feet, he notices that
Buckingham: You know, Troy, I don’t care for either one of these men on a personal level, but I can’t lie. This was a fantastic match. You really have to admire the fact that both of these guys came out here and backed up their words. They both said they’d do anything to win here, and I don’t think either one of them will come away tonight feeling they could have done more.
Troy: That was a lucid, intelligent, and thoughtful comment, Randall. Are you okay?
Buckingham: I don’t know. I feel dirty.
In the ring, referee Matt Hansen hands the championship belt to Showtime Damon Savage, who raises the belt high in the air as “No Country for Young Men” replays and the
WINNER VIA PINFALL AT 14:45 AND NEW PWA CHAMPION – SHOWTIME DAMON SAVAGE
***
The camera cuts backstage, where backstage reporter Scott Cornelius is standing with the Alaskan Monster Solomon.
Cornelius: Ladies and gentlemen, the moment has finally arrived. The Symphony of Destruction match is up next! But before we get there, I am standing here with the Alaskan Monster Solomon, a man who made his debut in this very match eight years ago. Solomon, you have been dominant in this match every time you’ve entered it, yet you’ve never won it. What will you do differently this year to change that result?
Solomon: What will I do differently? What makes you think I need to do anything differently? Four times in this match, I’ve caught a bad break. This year, the luck runs out for everyone else in that ring. Everyone in this company, along with everyone watching around the world, knows that Solomon is the dominant force in the PWA, the absolute best this company has to offer. Tonight, I will run right over every single person that gets in my way and win the Symphony of Destruction. I WILL be in the main event of Everlasting Epic, and I WILL walk out the new PWA World Heavyweight Champion. Tonight, I take care of the first obstacle. And I dare any of these 29 to try to stop me.
***
A video package airs, set to Beethoven’s “Overture Coriolan,” previewing this year’s Symphony of Destruction match and reviewing the event’s history. The narrative text that plays over the numerous video clips of SOD participants is as follows:
Narrator: Each competitor draws a number from 1-30, with numbers one and two starting the match and a new man entering every two minutes thereafter.
The ultimate test of endurance, competitors remain in the Symphony of Destruction until they are pinned or forced to submit.
This grueling match has been held four times before in PWA history, from 2003-2006.
It was won by four different individuals: Mike Griffin, Scythe, Greg Tantalus, and Jaguar.
Griffin, Tantalus, and Jaguar each won Everlasting Epic shots at the PWA Championship with their victories; they all captured the gold.
In 2004, the PWA Championship was itself on the line in the SOD match; Scythe won the gold in that event, and went on to retain it at Everlasting Epic, making SOD winners 4-0 in EE main events.
Now, after a five-year absence, the Symphony of Destruction returns.
With Scythe, Tantalus, and Jaguar entered into the match, will we have a repeat winner?
Or will a fifth man etch his name in history?
Will this year’s winner go to Everlasting Epic and continue the string of SOD winners who have ascended the throne of PWA Champion?
Or will they be the first to fail on the grand stage?
What is guaranteed, however, is that tonight, 30 men will put themselves through hell for a shot at immortality.
And in the end, there can be only one.
***
The camera then shifts to ringside and our commentators Victor Troy and Randall Buckingham.
Buckingham: Who’s number one?! I can’t wait!
We are taken to ring announcer Lee Palmer in the squared circle.
Palmer: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the Symphony of Destruction match!
Earlier this week, the participants in this contest each randomly drew a number from 1 to 30. Those individuals who drew numbers one and two will start the match, with a new combatant entering the ring every two minutes thereafter until all 30 have entered.
Elimination can be scored via pinfall or submission, and the match will continue until just one man remains.
That man will go on to the main event of Everlasting Epic VII, live from Wembley Stadium in London on Saturday, September 10, to challenge for the PWA World Heavyweight Championship!
And now, let’s find out who drew number one!
After a brief pause, “War Machine” by KISS hits the speakers and the Hardcore Icon Kerry Cox emerges from behind the curtain to a sizeable ovation from the Japanese crowd that watched him perform with regularity 20 years earlier. Soaking in the reaction, Cox rolls into the ring and prepares for battle.
Moments later, “Da Repercussions” by 50 Cent hits and Dee Licious leads Michael Grieco through the curtain as the second entrant.
Buckingham: And just like that, Cox’s uphill climb just got a whole lot steeper! He’d have been better off with just about ANYONE else coming through that curtain just now! Instead, he gets the one man in this SOD that wants his head on a silver platter. He’ll be lucky if he’s still here when number three arrives!
Buckingham: But can he go 60 to 70 minutes to win this SOD? I think not.
30-MAN SYMPHONY OF DESTRUCTION MATCH
In-ring Referee: Tom Stevens
Outside Referees: Dan Martin, Jose Soares, Matt Hansen
The bell sounds, officially kicking off this year’s SOD match, and it begins with Grieco charging right at Cox and bringing the fight to him. Cox doesn’t remain on the defensive for long, promptly blocking a Grieco haymaker and nailing him with several hard lefts and rights of his own! Cox brings the fans to their feet on several occasions throughout this two-minute interim, but Grieco soon catches Cox with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex that he nails with crushing authority. Grieco then stomps away on Cox as the countdown clock appears on the screen, counting us down to our first buzzer. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0!
When the buzzer sounds, “Betrayal” by Lita Ford hits and newcomer Fenix Clarke steps out from behind the curtain, escorted down the aisle by his apparent manager Emily Walker.
Buckingham: Well he’s already done us all the favor of ending the Progressive title reign of Paul Epton, so I’d say that’s a damn good start.
Clarke enters the ring and immediately assists Grieco in the battle against Cox, peppering him with vicious stomps. Then, as soon as Grieco lets his guard down for just a moment, Clarke unleashes a bevy of well-placed kicks on him. Grieco and Clarke then go at it for several moments, before Cox gets back to a vertical base and takes them both down with a double clothesline. From there, the countdown restarts, and when it reaches zero, the buzzer sounds and “Map of the Problematique” by Muse floods the speakers.
Epton wastes little time heading down the aisle and sliding into the ring, immediately taking the fight to Clarke! The flame-haired newcomer tries his best to offset Epton’s onslaught, but the British sensation is on a roll. Moments later, Emily Walker shouts at Epton from the ringside area, diverting Epton’s attention for just a moment, but that moment is all Clarke needs to down Epton with a surprise spinning side kick.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, Cox attempts the Coxsucker DDT on Grieco, but Grieco is able to counter by driving Cox into the corner, bashing him repeatedly into the turnbuckles. Then, as Cox staggers forward, Grieco destroys him with the triple powerbomb. He covers… one, two, three.
Buckingham: And there’s our first elimination! Kerry Cox is history! Ancient history, to be more accurate!
Dee Licious is vocal in her approval of Cox’s elimination as the Hardcore Icon rolls out of the ring and heads to the back, ushered by a warm ovation from the
Buckingham: You know, Troy, I wouldn’t want to be Failla in this instance either. We both know how much the PWA Championship means to Failla and how badly he wants to win the Symphony of Destruction to earn the Everlasting Epic title shot. In fact, the last time the PWA held the SOD match, Failla made it to the final two before being eliminated by Jaguar. But tonight, having to enter fifth, I’m just not sure Failla will still be here at the end. It’s a
Failla enters the ring and is immediately attacked by longtime rival Grieco. The Staten Island Strongman pounds away on Failla viciously, but isn’t able to knock him down. Attempting to build momentum, Grieco backs up a few steps and charges at Failla. However, Failla is able to sidestep Grieco’s shoulderblock attempt and, in one fell swoop, lift him and crush him with the Weapon of Mass Destruction! Failla covers… one, two, three.
Failla no sooner gets to his feet than does Fenix Clarke Irish whip Epton right into Failla. However, Failla sees it coming, catches Epton, and hurls him halfway across the ring with a fallaway slam! From there, Failla peels him off the mat and destroys him with the WMD! Failla covers… one, two, three.
Clarke seems exceptionally pleased with himself as he taunts a barely conscious Epton who is struggling to return to the backstage area. Meanwhile, Failla is standing behind Clarke, patiently waiting for his opportunity to strike. When Clarke notices Failla’s presence, he immediately tries to bargain with him. Out of desperation, Emily Walker hops onto the apron, trying to divert Failla’s attention. However, Failla’s response to this is to grab Clarke and hurl him into Emily’s direction, but Emily quickly hops off the apron and Clarke stops short… only to be immediately pounced upon by a Failla WMD! Failla covers… one, two, three.
Buckingham: Wow! Sheer dominance,
Failla glares at the stage, almost daring the next entrant to walk through the curtain. Moments later, the countdown reappears, and when the buzzer sounds, “Hey You” by Simon Says thumps onto the speakers, marking the arrival of Greg Tantalus.
Buckingham: That’s true, but as you alluded to, that was a long time ago. These are two completely different performers in there tonight. But, one thing worth mentioning is that coming out this early is NOT what Greg Tantalus wanted. Going into tonight, I was sure the winner of this match would come from Tantalus’ group. Now, with Jackie Baccaro out of the match and Tantalus out here so early, I may have to re-evaluate my prediction. One thing is for sure: it is absolutely imperative that Tantalus last in that ring long enough for John Wolfe and Markus Krieg to make it out here.
Troy: That is, of course, assuming that Wolfe is still a member of Tantalus’ group. We’ve thus far received no confirmation that Wolfe acted on Tantalus’ orders and didn’t simply choose to take matters into his own hands.
Buckingham: Right. Time will tell on that one.
Tantalus enters the ring and immediately begins exchanging rights and lefts with Failla. Failla develops the advantage after this exchange, downing Failla with a huge clothesline before stomping away on him furiously. Tantalus pulls himself back to a vertical base, but he’s downed again, this time by a huge belly-to-belly suplex. Failla covers… one, two, and Tantalus gets a shoulder up.
Tantalus is slow to his feet, but Failla is relentless, moving in on him as he rises. Failla then grabs Tantalus in position for a fallaway slam, but Tantalus counters out of it with a series of well-placed elbows to the side of Failla’s head. Then, Tantalus takes Failla off his feet with a chop block and retreats to the corner, appearing tremendously thankful when the countdown appears on the screen again. When the buzzer sounds, a wide smile forms on Tantalus’ face when Rammstein’s “Reise, Reise” hits and Markus Krieg begins stalking his way to the ring, albeit at a much faster clip than usual.
Buckingham: Certainly not, Troy, but I have to say, I think this also doesn’t bode well for Tantalus and his team. We’re only up to number seven out of 30 entrants, and already they have only one member left to enter. Tantalus and Krieg need to establish dominance over that ring quickly and then control it and run the table.
Krieg hits the ring and battles Failla head-on. The two behemoths exchange sledgehammer-like blows with neither side giving in. That is, until Tantalus joins in on the fight, grabbing onto Failla’s legs, allowing Krieg to nearly decapitate him with a vicious clothesline. From there, Tantalus and Krieg proceed to brutally stomp away on Failla, not allowing him even a moment to recuperate. However, with time, the countdown hits again, and when it reaches zero, “Control” by Earshot hits and new Synergy member Darrin Giles begins making his way to the ring.
Buckingham: I don’t think I’d want to be Darrin Giles right now.
Giles slides into the ring, looking to join in on the assault on Failla. However, Tantalus has other plans, instructing Krieg to turn his attention to Giles. Realizing he has no way out, Giles throws several punches in Krieg’s direction, but the gargantuan German blocks them all before delivering a crushing backbreaker to Giles. Krieg then pries Giles off the mat and nails him with a furious BlitzKrieg before covering… one, two, three. Giles is eliminated.
Meanwhile, Tantalus has attempted to maintain the advantage over Failla, doing his best to keep him grounded. However, the efforts prove fruitless, with Failla battling back to a vertical base and going at Tantalus with a series of crushing right hands! The fans get behind Failla, until Krieg also gets behind him, locking him in position for the BlitzKrieg, which he nails with crushing authority. Tantalus then instructs Krieg to lift Failla off the mat, and when he does, Tantalus clobbers him with a thunderous Big O. Tantalus effortlessly rests one foot on Failla’s chest for a pin attempt… one, two, thr-NO! Failla is able to just barely get his right shoulder up!
Tantalus appears to be a mix of horrified and furious after the kickout, and promptly demands that Krieg lift Failla again. Krieg gladly does so, and then absolutely destroys Failla with his full nelson slam. Tantalus then falls right onto Failla, hooking the leg… one, two, three.
Buckingham: And now, Tantalus and Krieg have eradicated one of the absolute biggest threats in this match. And they have earned themselves a bit of a breather to boot.
Tantalus and Krieg get to spend several moments collecting themselves before the countdown begins again. However, when the buzzer sounds, Tantalus in particular is shocked to hear TOOL’s “Parabola” blast onto the speakers.
Buckingham: He should have known better and stayed away,
Indeed, Mike Griffin emerges from behind the curtain and wastes little time heading down to the ring. Tantalus and Krieg don’t even wait for him to hit the ring, sliding to the outside so that Tantalus can meet him with fists flying.
Krieg whips
Moments after the kickout, Tantalus re-enters the ring and downs the rising
Buckingham: Who will be next?!
Troy: I don’t know, but Griffin desperately needs an ally here at number 10, or he won’t be here to see number 11.
When the clock hits zero and the buzzer sounds, “Amazing” by Kanye West hits, and the PWA International Champion Chase Stone begins making his way to the ring to a largely positive reaction.
Buckingham: And it looks like Stone is going right after Krieg too! He doesn’t seem like he’s in too bad shape after the post-match brawl with Krieg earlier tonight!
Stone rolls into the ring and immediately brings the fight to Krieg, exchanging blows with the man he fought to a double count-out with earlier in the evening. Stone whips Krieg against the ropes and downs him with a hard belly-to-belly suplex as he returns! He then moves in to press the advantage, but Krieg pops back up and the brawling continues.
With Stone and Krieg going at it intensely,
Troy: And here comes Briggs, the bodyguard of Progressive Champion Matthew Magellan. What kind of damage will he cause out there?
Buckingham: Potentially, Troy, this man could cause a LOT of damage. Don’t forget, he wasn’t always just Matt Magellan’s bodyguard. In fact, in this very match some years ago, Briggs actually eliminated Solomon. He could absolutely be a force in this one if he chooses to be.
Briggs enters the ring and immediately begins clotheslining to the mat everyone in his path. First,
Buckingham: Seriously? We’ve been seeing his promos for the last four weeks, we don’t need you serving as his PSA tonight,
Revis receives a nice pop as he emerges from behind the curtain, taking a second to soak in the environment before making his way to the ring. As soon as Revis slides into the squared circle, he is attacked by his former SIN teammate Greg Tantalus, who pounds away on him with a serious of vicious punches. Revis withstands the assault, however, ultimately ducking under a Tantalus high knee before downing him with a release German suplex!
Revis pops up off the mat to find Krieg approaching him, but Briggs downs him from behind before he gets there. Then, Revis and Briggs begin doing battle in the center of the ring while ultimately Tantalus and
Briggs and Revis battle viciously, but Briggs’ rights and lefts succeed in stunning Revis. With Revis dazed, Briggs looks to put him away with the Briggs Bomb, but when he lifts Revis for the move, Revis is able to slip out, slide behind Briggs, and down him with a crushing bulldog! Then, as Briggs gets to his feet, Revis scoops him up and nails him with a running powerslam! Revis covers… one, two, and Briggs gets the shoulder up.
Briggs is slow to his feet, but when he rises, Revis impressively lifts him in fireman’s carry position before crushing him down with a release forward slam. Revis covers… one, two, three!
The fans cheer the elimination, and a pumped Revis savors the moment – but only for a moment, as the countdown appears again. This time, when the buzzer reaches zero, every single person in the ring stops what they are doing because “Hear Me” by Darkseed begins, signaling the arrival of the most dominant performer in the history of the PWA.
Buckingham: Look at this,
At length, Solomon enters the ring and immediately becomes a target, something the Alaskan Monster is more than accustomed to in a SOD match. Revis goes right after Solomon first, but Solomon quickly chops him down.
Solomon gets back to his feet to find Tantalus charging at him with a running knee. The Alaskan Monster sidesteps it, preparing to nail Tantalus with his brand of explosive offense, but Krieg grabs him from behind and crushes him down with a release German suplex!
Buckingham: Wow! Now THAT was impressive!
Tantalus and Krieg then put the boots to the Alaskan Monster, trying to keep him grounded. After several moments of this, Tantalus instructs Krieg to finish him off. Krieg lifts Solomon off the mat and gets him up for the BlitzKrieg, but Solomon fights it, gets his feet back on the mat, and simply overpowers Krieg, breaking his arms free, hurling Krieg onto his shoulders, and absolutely crushing him with the Deep Freeze! Solomon covers Krieg… one, Tantalus scurries to break up the count, two, Stone appears out of nowhere and dropkicks Tantalus away, three!
Buckingham: You took the words right out of my mouth,
A look of horror and complete exasperation is on Tantalus’ face as Krieg is ushered to the backstage area, realizing now he is all alone. Things only get worse for him when he looks up to realize that Mike Griffin is standing above him.
The fans come unglued for Scythe’s arrival, carrying the Modern-Day Samurai to the ring on a wave of cheers. He enters the ring and goes immediately after longtime rival Solomon, nailing him with repeated knife-edge chops before whipping him against the ropes and downing him with a double chop! Then, when Solomon gets to his feet, Scythe brings him right back down with a deep armdrag!
Rich Revis and Chase Stone now turn their attention to each other, battling in one corner of the ring, while
Buckingham: Nice bounce-back by Greg Tantalus right there! He may be all alone in that ring right now, but he just proved he’s not out of this thing. Arguably his biggest rival is now history.
Sure enough, the countdown begins again, and this time when the buzzer reaches zero, “Minas de Cobre” by Calexico hits and Juan Pablo Alvarez enters the ring to a chorus of boos.
Alvarez immediately picks a fight with Revis, attacking him from behind and obtaining an early advantage. Elsewhere in the ring, Chase Stone now battles with Tantalus while Scythe and Solomon continue their war of attrition.
Carrying the momentum from his initial blind attack, Alvarez presses the advantage on Revis, ultimately looking to nail a reverse neckbreaker, but Revis is able to block it and counter with a swift DDT! Revis covers… one, two, and Alvarez gets the shoulder up. Alvarez is slow to his feet, but when he does rise, Revis grabs him and immediately crushes him with a thunderous running powerslam! Revis covers again… one, two, three!
The fans cheer the elimination, and moments later, the countdown begins again. When the buzzer sounds, “Charlie Big Potato” by Skunk Anansie hits and John Wolfe begins making his way to the ring.
Troy: Alright, business is picking up now! John Wolfe is out 16th entrant, and we should have our answer in short order as to whether or not Wolfe and Tantalus are still on the same page.
Wolfe charges into the ring and looks around, but rather than assist Tantalus in his battle with Stone, he is turned around by Revis and clobbered in the jaw with a big right hand! Wolfe then takes the fight to Revis, battling him hard.
Tantalus and Stone continue their back-and-forth brawl and Solomon and Scythe do the same while Revis and Wolfe get into it with full force. Revis staggers Wolfe with a series of punches and then prematurely goes for another running powerslam. However, Wolfe slips out, shoves Revis against the ropes, and nails him with a crushing tilt-a-whirl backbreaker upon his return! Then, Wolfe pries Revis off the mat and crushes him with a vicious chokeslam! He covers… one, two, three.
With Revis out of the way, Wolfe now looks around the ring, debating his next move. However, before making his choice, the countdown reappears. When it reaches zero and the buzzer sounds, “Hero” by Nas featuring Keri Hilson hits and the
Black charges down the aisle and climbs immediately to the top rope upon entering the ring, surprising Solomon with a missile dropkick! The Alaskan Monster is staggered by the move but doesn’t fall, at least until Scythe follows it up with a devastating double chop!
Black looks to press the advantage over Solomon, but he is instead spun around and downed with a hard belly-to-belly suplex by Chase Stone.
Buckingham: I like seeing this,
Buckingham: Maybe, maybe not, but Stone feels like he’s a better wrestler than Evan Black and can beat him straight up.
With Black down, Stone tries to immediately lock on his triangle hold submission. The International Champion succeeds in applying the maneuver, but Black is too fresh for it to be effective. While Stone clamps down on the hold, Black floats over and ties Stone in a pinning combination! One, two, and Stone breaks the submission and frees his shoulder.
Both men pop to their feet and Black lunges right at Stone, looking for a shining wizard. However, Stone ducks under, spins around and gets Black into position for the fisherman suplex. Stone lifts Black for the move, but Black slips out, and when Stone turns around, he drills him in the jaw with the superkick! Black covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: Stone was in this match about 15 minutes and chose to go after a fresh Evan Black and it didn’t work out. And that’s not to mention Stone’s battle with Krieg earlier this evening. Something tells me these two will meet again at some point though.
Black is up from the mat no more than five seconds after pinning Stone before he is violently clotheslined back down by Solomon. From there, the countdown reappears, and when it expires, “More Human Than Human” by White Zombie hits and The Omega begins making his way to the ring as the 18th entrant.
The Omega throws a stiff elbow at a distracted Evan Black before turning his attention to Scythe. The Omega willingly takes on the Modern-Day Samurai, a man with whom he competed in a memorable ladder match for the International Championship at Everlasting Epic II some eight years ago. The reprisal of this rivalry starts off on a positive note for Omega, who keeps Scythe off balance with a series of lefts and rights. However, Scythe quickly battles back, establishing his own advantage.
Scythe takes The Omega down with a series of armdrags before whipping him against the ropes and downing him with a hard double chop upon his return. Then, when Omega gets back to his feet, Scythe grabs him by the throat, lifts him up, and crushes him with the Flying Dragon! Scythe covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: What’d he last, a minute?! C’mon Omega!
Scythe rises and goes after Tantalus after scoring the elimination, but soon finds himself attacked from behind by John Wolfe. Tantalus and Wolfe glare at each other for several moments before exchanging nods and returning to work on Scythe.
Buckingham: In which case, they really need to stick together. There’s still a long way to go here and there’s only two of them. And that’s assuming they aren’t simply working together at this moment and not necessarily the whole match.
Scythe struggles to survive the onslaught of Tantalus and Krieg while Evan Black holds his own against Solomon. Then, the countdown appears again. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0! The buzzer sounds and “War is the Answer” by Five Finger Death Punch hits and GI Jew rides his Chopper out to the ring!
Buckingham: Who’s he going after,
Jew enters the ring with a head of steam, charging right at the Alaskan Monster. Solomon attempts to counter the momentum with a clothesline, but Jew ducks under it, hits off the opposite ropes, and downs Solomon viciously with The Gore! Then, with Solomon down, Black leaps to the top rope and drills him with Black’s Law! Black covers… one, two, thr-NO! Solomon gets a shoulder up!
Black pops up, but Jew immediately downs him with a running shoulder block. Then, as Solomon gets to his feet, Jew positions himself behind him and impressively gets him off the ground and compacts him with the Magnum Driver! Jew covers… one, two, thr-NO! Solomon kicks out again!
Buckingham: More than this, apparently!
Beginning to grow frustrated, Jew helps Solomon to his feet, but is shocked when, out of nowhere, the Alaskan Monster gets a second wind and hurls Jew onto his shoulders, clearly looking for the Deep Freeze! However, before he can land the move, Evan Black exhibits his out-of-nowhere ability, clocking Solomon in the jaw with the superkick, the impact knocking Jew to the mat as well! Black then covers Solomon… one, two, three!
Buckingham: What?!
Buckingham: This is absolute insanity! It took four finishers to take him down, but still! This is Solomon we’re talking about here!
The crowd is still buzzing from the shocking Solomon elimination when the countdown clock appears on the screen once more. This time, when the buzzer sounds, “Smooth Operator” by Sade hits and the fans immediately begin booing the arrival of the Standard Sleaze Don Cerrone, who emerges from behind the curtain with a microphone in hand.
Buckingham: Here we go,
Cerrone: Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the man who will wipe the smug look off the Modern-Day Jackass' face and go on to win the Symphony of Destruction... my friend and yours... The Miracle Mike Troha!
Sure enough, “Arcarsenal” by At the Drive-In hits the speakers and the
Buckingham: Wow! The Miracle Mike Troha is back!
Troy: I thought we would never see him again, Randall! Mike Troha, the former PWA World Heavyweight Champion, the first cousin of exiled former PWA owner Bryan Conroy! I’ve long thought it was safe to say Troha was gone for good. But now, Mike Troha is here, and he is on his way to the ring!
Scythe has his eyes peeled on Troha in the ring, which leaves him vulnerable to the blind low blow he receives from longtime enemy GI Jew. Troha smells blood, sliding into the ring and immediately crushing Scythe down to the mat with the Suburban Slam, his version of the Killswitch! Then, Troha lifts him off the mat and delivers his Emerald Fusion finisher with crushing authority! Troha covers… one, two, three.
Buckingham: What a return for Mike Troha! In the ring no more than 30 seconds and he has already eliminated a former world champion who has won this match before! Bravo, Mr. Troha! Bravo! And bravo Don Cerrone on choosing an excellent representative!
With Scythe gone, Troha briefly turns his attention to Evan Black, who just received a stomping from GI Jew. Troha goes to work on Black while Tantalus and Wolfe double-team Jew for the remainder. Then, when the buzzer sounds again, the fans come unglued as “F*ckin’ in the Bushes” by Oasis hits the speakers!
Buckingham: Let’s hope not!
Calysto enters the ring and goes right after Tantalus, taking him down with a hard clothesline! Wolfe then charges at Calysto, but The Iceman ducks under it, hits the opposite ropes, and floors Wolfe with a thunderous mafia kick! Then, as Wolfe staggers to his feet, Calysto nails him with The Icebreaker, just as Evan Black downs Tantalus with a shining wizard! Calysto covers Wolfe… one, two, three!
Buckingham: This is bad,
Calysto now turns his attention to old rival Troha, and the two slug it out. Meanwhile, Jew and Black resume their battle as Tantalus struggles to his feet. The countdown then reappears and when it reaches zero, “Mouth For War” by Pantera hits and the fans boo the arrival of one half of the PWA Tag Team Champions Maddox Tate.
Buckingham: Maddox Tate? What’s he doing out here?
Troy: I believe Tate is the replacement for Jackie Baccaro in this match, which I assume is because Tate scored the pinfall in the Tag Team Championship match earlier tonight. Let’s see what he can do out there.
Tate enters the ring and quickly picks a fight with Calysto. Tantalus gets back to his feet and finds himself brawling with former TFU partner Troha. Meanwhile, the battle between Jew and Black rages on.
Jew pounds Black all the way back to the corner before perching him up on the top rope. Jew then climbs up after him, looking for a devastating superplex, but Black has the wherewithal to block it. Finally, Black is able to reverse the suplex, sending Jew crashing down to the mat, in perfect position! Then, with one fell swoop, Black leaps off the top rope and crashes down onto Jew with Black’s Law, hooking the leg tightly! One, two, three!
Buckingham: What?!
Buckingham: What is going on here?!
The period expires shortly after this elimination and when the buzzer sounds, “Merciless Cult” by Dir en Grey hits and the
Asai enters the ring on fire, downing Tantalus, then Troha, and then Tate with thunderous chops! Tate gets quickly back to his feet, but Moon works him over with a series of kicks and chops before taking him down with a hurricanrana! Then, to the delight of the crowd, Asai nails Tate with his running elbow, connecting with authority!
The cheers don’t last long, however, as Tantalus comes up from behind Moon, whips him into the corner and nails him with the O-Face, his running kick to the testicles, a move that is illegal under normal rules, but perfectly legal in the SOD. He then lifts Asai up and crushes him down with the Big O, covering him… one, two, three.
Buckingham: I know is backup is gone, but Greg Tantalus is still going strong here. If he didn’t draw number six, I’d still like his chances.
Before long, the period expires and the buzzer sounds again. This time, “My Avenue” by Lil Boosie hits and Jaguar makes his entrance to a thunderous ovation!
Buckingham: We’ll see how much his decision to get distracted by a Tag Team Championship opportunity affects him here.
Jaguar enters the ring and goes right after Tate, pounding away on him with a fury! Tate tries to battle back, but Jaguar’s momentum is simply too much to handle. Jag whips Tate into the ropes and downs him with a powerslam upon his return! Then, Jaguar lifts Tate up and absolutely crushes him with Version 1.0 before climbing to the top rope and unleashing the Suga Splash, which connects with tremendous precision! Jaguar hooks the leg… one, two, three!
Buckingham: Maybe, but Texas Justice still has the Tag Team Championship last I checked.
Jaguar now turns his attention to Troha while Calysto and Black double-team Tantalus. Shortly thereafter, the countdown begins again, and when it concludes, “Welcome Home” by Coheed and
Dulberg slides right into the ring and begins immediately exchanging fists with anyone he can find! Jaguar slingshots Troha into the turnbuckles, with Troha’s head connecting with the top buckle. As Troha staggers backwards, Dulberg connects out of nowhere with the Walk-Off! Dulberg covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: Well, he got the job done,
The action continues in the ring until the buzzer sounds again, bringing out the 26th entrant. When Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro” hits, the fans boo loudly at the arrival of Dexter P. Wellington.
Buckingham: This is getting ridiculous now!
The battles resume in the ring as the participants await the arrival of number 27. When the buzzer ultimately sounds, “Falling From the Sky” by VAST hits and the fans cheer wildly as Vulture makes his way to the ring!
Buckingham: Well, Vulture seems pretty desperate to secure himself a shot at the PWA Championship, and given his recent win-loss record in matches against title contenders, this could be his only shot.
Vulture enters the ring on fire, downing Evan Black, Jon Dulberg, and Greg Tantalus each with hard right hands! He then turns to Jason Calysto and Jaguar and the three stare each other down as the fans cheer thunderously!
Buckingham: As well they should! Only one of them can go to Everlasting Epic!
After a brief staredown, the three men go at one another to the delight of the crowd! Before long, Vulture and Calysto find themselves double-teaming Jaguar, downing him with a double clothesline! Then, Vulture lifts Jaguar, looking for the Chill Factor spinebuster, and Calysto nails Jaguar with the spinning heel kick just before Vulture crushes him down with the Chill Factor impact! From there, Vulture leaps to the top rope and nails him with the Fallen Angel frog splash! Vulture covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: That’s because Jaguar had to stick his nose where it didn’t belong earlier tonight! If he hadn’t been distracted with this Tag Team Championship situation, maybe he would have been more prepared for this match and lasted longer.
Vulture and Calysto tease going at one another, but instead turn their aggression to a rising Greg Tantalus! Calysto goes to work on Tantalus while Vulture throws in a few stomps, all the while keeping his eyes peeled on the entryway. When the buzzer sounds moments later, “Aksem” by Ahlam hits and the
Though Saif enters the ring with momentum, he is not prepared for the vicious offensive onslaught unleashed on him by Vulture. Saif withstands several of Vulture’s initial haymakers and even downs him with a hard dropkick, but when Vulture gets to his feet, it becomes a one-sided affair. Vulture whips Saif against the ropes and crushes him with a thunderous Chill Factor spinebuster! Then, Vulture peels him off the mat and absolutely destroys him with the Crimson Sunset! Vulture covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: I don’t know what got into Vulture there, but he just completely overwhelmed him.
With Dulberg down to a knee on the mat, Vulture takes the opportunity to begin exchanging blows with Evan Black. The countdown then reappears, and when it reaches zero, “The Final Countdown” by the London Symphony Orchestra hits and the fans boo the arrival of the reigning PWA Progressive Champion Matthew Magellan.
Magellan enters the ring just as Dulberg begins to get to his feet. Rather than attack Dulberg, Magellan opts to get right in Dulberg’s face and gyrate at him with his trademark pelvic swivel. When Dulberg responds with an incredulous look, Magellan does it again. This time, however, Dulberg blasts the unsuspecting Magellan with the Walk-Off mid-gyration! Dulberg covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: That was despicable! How dare Dulberg! Magellan clearly wasn’t ready!
With Magellan gone as quickly as he arrived, the remainder of the participants in the ring resume their battles. Dulberg interjects himself into the battle between Calysto and Tantalus for the time being as Vulture and Black continue to go at it. Then, the countdown appears on the screen for the final time this evening. 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1-0! When the buzzer sounds, “Sonne” by Rammstein hits and the fans give a noticeably mixed reaction to Chris Duval as he heads down the aisle.
Buckingham: Did you hear the somewhat mixed reaction for Duval on his way out here,
Duval enters the ring and gets himself into an immediate brawl with Jon Dulberg while Vulture and Black continue to battle and Calysto and Tantalus do the same.
The action rages on in this fashion for several minutes with almost no bleeding over of the pairs doing battle. Dulberg starts to gain an advantage on Duval and looks to put him away with the Walk-Off, but Duval blocks it, shoves Dulberg off, and crushes him with a fallaway slam! Duval then lifts Dulberg up and flattens him with the Duval Driver! Duval covers… one, two, three!
Duval pops up, pumped, only to walk right into a superkick from Evan Black, who managed to down Vulture with a flying forearm seconds earlier! Black covers Duval… one, two, three!
Buckingham: Well, he’s going to need at least a sixth to win this thing. I can’t believe I’m even entertaining the possibility of him winning this thing!
Infuriated that his son has been eliminated, Vulture takes the fight to Black, capitalizing on the growing fatigue of a man who has been in the ring for 35 high-energy minutes. Black does everything in his power to gain the advantage on Vulture, even downing him with a shining wizard. But then, Black makes his fatal flaw, slowly climbing to the top rope, looking for Black’s Law, after allowing Vulture far too much time to recover. Vulture springs to his feet and bounces into the ropes, causing Black to fall and straddle the top turnbuckle. From there, Vulture climbs up after him and delivers a crushing superplex from the top rope! Then, with Black down and out, Vulture slaps on the Sharpshooter!
Just as Black is turned over in the maneuver, however, Calysto ties Tantalus up in an inside cradle! One, two, and Tantalus kicks out! Then, mere seconds later, Black can withstand the pain no longer and taps out!
Buckingham: Finally!
Troy: You HAVE to hand it to Evan Black, Randall! He scored five eliminations and was in this match for over 35 minutes! Victory or not, Evan Black is the MVP of this year’s SOD.
Buckingham: What about Greg Tantalus?! The man has been out here for just under an hour!
With Black eliminated, Tantalus, Calysto, and Vulture all reach vertical bases and begin staring each other down in the ring. Vulture and Calysto look at each other and nod, taking their places opposite Tantalus on either side, prompting the crowd to cheer!
Buckingham: This is just ridiculously unfair! It’s supposed to be every man for himself!
Vulture and Calysto continue to stare down Tantalus, waiting for their opportunity to strike. However, before this can happen, Vulture turns to Calysto and blindsides him with a running knee to the face!
Buckingham: I don’t know, but I like it!
With confusion permeating through the Tokyo Dome, Vulture and Tantalus appear to nod at each other before stomping away on Calysto viciously. With The Iceman down on the mat, Vulture mounts him and begins clobbering him with repeated right hands to the face.
Calysto makes it back to his feet and Vulture and Tantalus take turns clobbering him with hard rights. However, Tantalus’ wind-up is a little too long, allowing Calysto to grab his arm and, out of desperation, drive him down to the mat and lock on the Crossface!
Buckingham: Now, if Vulture and Tantalus are working together, shouldn’t Vulture break this up?
Vulture, however, does no such thing. Instead, he backs up several steps, getting himself into position for a charge. Tantalus hangs on as long as he can, but when his eyes shift to the side to see Vulture in position, Tantalus taps out. Then, as soon as Calysto breaks the hold and begins to rise, Vulture gets a running start and absolutely demolishes Calysto with another running knee to the jaw! Vulture then pries Calysto off the mat, runs his thumb across his throat, and vanquishes The Iceman with the Crimson Sunset! Vulture rolls him over and covers… one, two, three!
Buckingham: That’s it! Vulture wins the Symphony of Destruction!
Buckingham: Maybe all that happened is Vulture is an incredible opportunist,
The fans are still mostly cheering as “Falling From the Sky” replays and Vulture is announced the winner. Celebrating the victory enthusiastically, Vulture has a more aggressive edge about him, pumping his fist and loudly shouting.
Moments later, Tantalus re-enters the ring and engages in a brief staredown with Vulture before the two break into laughter and embrace! Tantalus then raises Vulture’s hand, which prompts a chorus of boos from the capacity crowd!
Buckingham: Wow! Could this be what I think this is?!
With that, Markus Krieg, John Wolfe, and Alexis Duval begin walking down the aisle with smiles on their faces. They are joined by Chris Duval, who is also grinning ear to ear. The four enter the ring and immediately exchange hugs and handshakes with Vulture and Tantalus. By this point, Jason Calysto has rolled out of the ring and is backpedaling up the aisle.
In the ring, however, it is a celebration, one that the fans are now beginning to process. Alexis exits the ring, grabs a microphone, and hands it to Vulture before embracing her father. Chris then joins for a group hug, as a father is finally united with his long-estranged children. From there, the music dies down and Vulture begins speaking.
Vulture: I suppose you're all wondering what all of this means. Simply put, it means that I am heading to Everlasting Epic to reclaim the PWA World Heavyweight Championship. And it means, without a shadow of a doubt, there is still Strength... In Numbers.
With that, the familiar opening to White Zombie’s “Electric Head Pt. 1: The Agony” plays over the speakers as the reformed SIN celebrates in the ring. The camera catches Jason Calysto glancing back at the ring and shaking his head in disgust before returning to the back. Meanwhile, in the ring, the members of the revitalized SIN couldn’t care less, having achieved their apparent goals for the evening, with Vulture and Chris Duval now in the fold, Jackie Baccaro exiled to a hospital bed, and Vulture on his way to Everlasting Epic.
Buckingham: This is awesome, Troy! SIN is back!
Buckingham: Well you’re gonna have to wait on those answers,
ORDER OF ENTRY:
1 – KERRY COX
2 – MICHAEL GRIECO
3 – FENIX CLARKE
4 – PAUL EPTON
5 – ANTHONY FAILLA
6 – GREG TANTALUS
7 – MARKUS KRIEG
8 – DARRIN GILES
9 – HOLLYWOOD MIKE GRIFFIN
10 – CHASE STONE
11 – BRIGGS
12 – RICH REVIS
13 – SOLOMON
14 – SCYTHE
15 – JUAN PABLO ALVAREZ
16 – JOHN WOLFE
17 – EVAN BLACK
18 – THE OMEGA
19 – GI JEW
20 –THE MIRACLE MIKE TROHA
21 – JASON CALYSTO
22 – MADDOX TATE
23 – ASAI MOON
24 – JAGUAR
25 – JON DULBERG
26 – DEXTER P. WELLINGTON
27 – VULTURE
28 – SAIF AL ABBAD
29 – MATTHEW MAGELLAN
30 – CHRIS DUVAL
ORDER OF ELIMINATION:
1 – KERRY COX (GRIECO 1)
2 – PAUL EPTON (FAILLA 1)
3 – MICHAEL GRIECO (FAILLA 2)
4 – FENIX CLARKE (FAILLA 3)
5 – DARRIN GILES (KRIEG 1)
6 – ANTHONY FAILLA (TANTALUS 1)
7 – BRIGGS (REVIS 1)
8 – MARKUS KRIEG (SOLOMON 1)
9 – HOLLYWOOD MIKE GRIFFIN (TANTALUS 2)
10 – JUAN PABLO ALVAREZ (REVIS 2)
11 – RICH REVIS (WOLFE 1)
12 – CHASE STONE (BLACK 1)
13 – THE OMEGA (SCYTHE 1)
14 – SOLOMON (BLACK 2)
15 – SCYTHE (TROHA 1)
16 – JOHN WOLFE (CALYSTO 1)
17 – GI JEW (BLACK 3)
18 – ASAI MOON (TANTALUS 3)
19 – MADDOX TATE (JAGUAR 1)
20 – MIKE TROHA (DULBERG 1)
21 – DEXTER P. WELLINGTON (BLACK 4)
22 – JAGUAR (VULTURE 1)
23 – SAIF AL ABBAD (VULTURE 2)
24 – MATTHEW MAGELLAN (DULBERG 2)
25 – JON DULBERG (DUVAL 1)
26 – CHRIS DUVAL (BLACK 5)
27 – EVAN BLACK (VULTURE 3)
28 – GREG TANTALUS (CALYSTO 2)
29 – JASON CALYSTO (VULTURE 4)
WINNER AT 70:00 – VULTURE
-- END SHOW --
Pre-Show Dark Match:
Keiko Ishida & Dee Licious def. Kemi Okoro & Jade at 7:15. Keiko pinned Jade after the Oshimai running STO. (Referee: Dan Martin)