Post by Shining Road Review on Oct 22, 2017 12:14:29 GMT -5
Chrenshaw grips the black-suited Zenki by the hair, slowly lifting him up to his feet. Elbow shot to the face! Elbow to the face! He tosses Zenki into the turnbuckle.
TIM FLOSS:
Chrenshaw’s looking to put him away here.
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He’d better be careful. Zenki’s one tough customer.
Chrenshaw runs at him for a big boot – ZENKI PREEMPTS IT! He pounces for THE ZANBATO!!!! The Crippler goes down in a heap!!
TIM FLOSS:
My gawd! What a hit!
Zenki clambers up to his feet with a roar. The fans are thundering the backs of their seats. The rumble grows throughout the arena. Lord Zenki picks up Chrenshaw and knees him in the gut! He lifts him up for the gutwrench… he runs forward! He spikes Chrenshaw with the high-angle sitout powerbomb!!! THE ZENKI BOMB!!!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He did it! He did it! Zenki’s been trying to hit that move all night!
The referee goes for the pin.
1…
2…
TIM FLOSS:
Chrenshaw’s looking to put him away here.
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He’d better be careful. Zenki’s one tough customer.
Chrenshaw runs at him for a big boot – ZENKI PREEMPTS IT! He pounces for THE ZANBATO!!!! The Crippler goes down in a heap!!
TIM FLOSS:
My gawd! What a hit!
Zenki clambers up to his feet with a roar. The fans are thundering the backs of their seats. The rumble grows throughout the arena. Lord Zenki picks up Chrenshaw and knees him in the gut! He lifts him up for the gutwrench… he runs forward! He spikes Chrenshaw with the high-angle sitout powerbomb!!! THE ZENKI BOMB!!!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He did it! He did it! Zenki’s been trying to hit that move all night!
The referee goes for the pin.
1…
2…
The scene transitions with a shot outside of the Mirai Dome as excited fans in conversation stream out of the arena and are taking pictures in front of the promotional posters. Pollobucket’s CHAMPION CHICKEN boxes are seemingly in everyone’s hands.
We move to Solomon Bentley and Kai Harrison. Many fans still sit in the seats of the arena chatting and eating behind them. Ring attendants are performing maintenance on the wresting ring in the background.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Hello everyone, and welcome to the Shining Road Review where we will be covering the quarterfinals of the Sword of Lite Grand Prix. Kai, how you feeling?
Harrison nods.
KAI HARRISON:
It was an amazing show here tonight, that’s all I can say. And we still have two more days of the tournament.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Earlier, we had tag team competition. The Super Moto Brothers and KOSUKE joined forces to defeat the SAKURA gundan trio of Ikki Yanagi, Zen Hayashi, and Hajime Tanaka. Masayoshi Arimoto would use the Meiji Tombstone Driver on Hayashi in a stunning finish that would get us set up for the Sword of Lite Grand Prix. Now, we’re going to take you to the the highlights, but first we want to let you know about some of the new merchandise on sale for a limited time on the English language Shining Road Pro-Wrestling website!
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And now...
- HIGHLIGHTS FROM TONIGHT'S SHOW -
James Edwards and Shigeru Toyama would kick off the night. Toyama would manage to bring the action to the ground and lock on a triangle hold. Edwards struggled to break free but would eventually roll to the outside. As soon as he turned around, “Starboy” Toyama would fly over the top rope for a suicide plancha! Later when the action would return to the ring, Toyama would go for a moonsault press but miss! The Burning Heart would then go on the offensive with a barrage of kicks. With Toyama on a knee he nailed head shot! Head shot! Head shot! Toyama would crumple into a heap and the referee would check on Starboy and stop the match!
Edwards will continue on in the tournament and face the winner of Zenki and Ben Chrenshaw.
And just when you guys thought that was enough… Thunder Mask would suffer defeat tonight at the hands of Katsuhiko Himura! These two men would battle in a high-flying affair at times. Thunder Mask would hit two moonsault presses in a row, but when he went for the third – Himura got the knees up! He would lock on a triangle hold, but eventually Thunder Mask would slip out. He went for the MAX Thunder Driver, but Himura got an inside cradle for a two count! An enraged Thunder Mask would jump up – right into the Katana Blaster! Himura would roll the move into a modified into an inside cradle pin for the 1… 2… 3!! It was an incredible sight to see and the first fall Thunder Mask has taken in a year’s time in junior heavyweight competition.
Katsuhiko Himura will face the winner of Pulver and A.J. Knight.
Speaking of those two, they hit the stage and began to instantly put on a wrestling clinic. With Matt Pulver and A.J. Knight going toe-to-toe, you always have a match of the night candidate on your hands. These two started out with chain wrestling, a back-and-forth that would go to the ground. Pulver would keep A.J. in a full guard, allowing A.J. to rain down several punches and hammer-fists. Pulver would attempt a transition into an armbar and Knight would knock him away as the crowd applauded the two men!
Pulver would use his speed to shoot in on the Millennial Crusader. A.J. would obstruct him, however, and go for the Knightfall DDT! But Pulver would drop to his knees and avoid the maneuver, using the opportunity to finally shoot on A.J. and bring him to the ground! Now in A.J.’s guard, Pulver would then back off and start sending kicks to a prone A.J. lying on his back! Pulver would back up and then jump through A.J.’s defenses with a stomp to the head! With A.J. stunned, Pulver would bounce across the ropes – Shining Wizaaaaaaaaard!! He goes for the 1… 2… NO! A.J. gets the kick out.
Pulver’s next attempt at a Shining Wizard would see A.J. cross his arms to block the blow and – he hits a Violent Gospel! He takes a page out of James Edwards’ playbook and hooks the leg. It’s a 1… 2… NO! Pulver gets a shoulder up and rolls out to the ring to recover. A.J. would follow him… and then the chase would begin! Pulver would escape A.J. and jump back into the ring, when A.J. got up on the apron he dropkicked him back to the outside! Pulver would wait for A.J. and go for the baseball slide! He missed! A.J. would take Pulver’s foot and drag him to the outside – KNIGHTFALL DDT!!
Let’s pick up the action from there...
TIM FLOSS:
My gawd! Did you just see that? A.J. hits the Knightfall DDT on the outside of the ring!
Pulver lies sprawled out on the floor as A.J. rolls inside of the ring. The referee begins the count.
1…
2…
3…
TIM FLOSS:
As a reminder, here in Japan we use a standard 20 count in order to determine a countout for a fighter.
8…
9…
10…
A.J. stands in the ring with his hands on his hips. He carries a serious expression, almost as though he would be disappointed with a countout victory.
14…
15…
Pulver begins to stir, shaking out the cobwebs in his head.
16…
17…
18…
19…
Pulver jumps up and rolls into the ring!
TIM FLOSS:
You know what, Al? I think Pulver may have used the extended countout rules to get try and recover!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Matt Pulver has wrestled extensively in Japan. He knows the rules around here. He’s as much a man of intellect as he is strength, speed, and skill.
A.J. delivers stomps to Pulver, who eats a few before catching A.J. by the foot. Pulver gets up to his feet, he whips his legs around – A ROLLING KNEEBAR! A.J. roars in pain as Pulver hyperextends the knee!
A.J. cries out… he reaches for the ropes…
Pulver has the hold clamped tonight…
A.J. is dragging the lighter Pulver with him… he extends…
His fingertips brush against the bottom rope…
He grabs it!
TIM FLOSS:
What strength from A.J. Knight! Another half-second in that kneebar and he may have been toast!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He’s one of the few men to hold a singles victory over Julian Cutlass. A.J. is world-class, Timmy.
A.J. limps up to his feet as Pulver delivers mid-level kicks to the knee. He lifts up A.J. by the foot. He attempts to go for the Dragon Screw – but A.J. counters with an enzuigiri! A.J. limps up to his feet. Enzuigiri again! Pulver teeters… a third enzuigiri! Pulver is down on one knee… A.J. goes for a roundhouse kick – Pulver blocks it! HAMMER OF THOR!!! – WAIT! A.J. blocks the elbow strike!!!! He grabs the arm and hooks in the hammerlock for the KNIGHTFALL DDT!!!!!!!!!!! He goes for the pin!
1…
2…
3-NO! Pulver kicks out!
TIM FLOSS:
Pulver with the heart of a champion tonight! I don’t care what anybody says!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
You’re damn right, Timmy!
A.J. Knight lifts Pulver up. He rotates around and get the hammerlock on as he clamps down once more!! KNIGHTFALL DDT!!!!!!!!! He goes for the pin one more time! He hooks the leg!
1…
2…
3!!!!!!!!!
The referee signals for the – WAIT!! THE REF HOLDS UP TWO FINGERS! PULVER JUST BARELY GOT THE SHOULDER UP!!!
TIM FLOSS:
Are you kidding me? Good gawd!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He’s one of the lighter guys in this tournament but he’s got a heart the size of Mt. Fuji!
A.J. looks over at the referee in disbelief. He gets up to his feet again and grabs Pulver by the hair. Wait! Pulver snatches the arm! He locks in AN ARMBAR!!! AN ARMBAR!! A.J. is still on his feet while Pulver has got him in the armbar! Matt Pulver is dragging on A.J.’s arm with the side of his head pressed into the mat!
A.J. tries to walk over… his injured knee buckles! He drops to a knee!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Looks like A.J. is still feeling the effects from that earlier kneebar!
A.J. roars in pain…
He gets up to two feet once again! Pulver wrenches the hold tighter!
A.J. takes a step…
He reaches for the ropes…
He buckles! He falls face first as Pulver HAS THE REVERSE ARMBAR ON TIGHT!! Pulver is between A.J. and the ropes! Theres’s no reprieve in sight!
A.J. struggles…
He pushes himself up with a free arm… Pulver struggles for dear life to maintain the hold.
A.J. keeps fighting…
He climbs to one knee…
He slumps down to the mat! A.J. taps!!!! The referee calls for it!!! The bell sounds!!
The two men lie exhausted in the ring as trainers and medical personnel swarm around them applying icepacks and performing vital checks. After a minute or two, both men push past the medics and trainers and slap each other on the shoulder! A.J., still clutching his injured arm, with his free hand grabs Pulver by the wrist and raises his arm to the applause of the crowd! Pulver nods with humility.
My gawd! Did you just see that? A.J. hits the Knightfall DDT on the outside of the ring!
Pulver lies sprawled out on the floor as A.J. rolls inside of the ring. The referee begins the count.
1…
2…
3…
TIM FLOSS:
As a reminder, here in Japan we use a standard 20 count in order to determine a countout for a fighter.
8…
9…
10…
A.J. stands in the ring with his hands on his hips. He carries a serious expression, almost as though he would be disappointed with a countout victory.
14…
15…
Pulver begins to stir, shaking out the cobwebs in his head.
16…
17…
18…
19…
Pulver jumps up and rolls into the ring!
TIM FLOSS:
You know what, Al? I think Pulver may have used the extended countout rules to get try and recover!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Matt Pulver has wrestled extensively in Japan. He knows the rules around here. He’s as much a man of intellect as he is strength, speed, and skill.
A.J. delivers stomps to Pulver, who eats a few before catching A.J. by the foot. Pulver gets up to his feet, he whips his legs around – A ROLLING KNEEBAR! A.J. roars in pain as Pulver hyperextends the knee!
A.J. cries out… he reaches for the ropes…
Pulver has the hold clamped tonight…
A.J. is dragging the lighter Pulver with him… he extends…
His fingertips brush against the bottom rope…
He grabs it!
TIM FLOSS:
What strength from A.J. Knight! Another half-second in that kneebar and he may have been toast!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He’s one of the few men to hold a singles victory over Julian Cutlass. A.J. is world-class, Timmy.
A.J. limps up to his feet as Pulver delivers mid-level kicks to the knee. He lifts up A.J. by the foot. He attempts to go for the Dragon Screw – but A.J. counters with an enzuigiri! A.J. limps up to his feet. Enzuigiri again! Pulver teeters… a third enzuigiri! Pulver is down on one knee… A.J. goes for a roundhouse kick – Pulver blocks it! HAMMER OF THOR!!! – WAIT! A.J. blocks the elbow strike!!!! He grabs the arm and hooks in the hammerlock for the KNIGHTFALL DDT!!!!!!!!!!! He goes for the pin!
1…
2…
3-NO! Pulver kicks out!
TIM FLOSS:
Pulver with the heart of a champion tonight! I don’t care what anybody says!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
You’re damn right, Timmy!
A.J. Knight lifts Pulver up. He rotates around and get the hammerlock on as he clamps down once more!! KNIGHTFALL DDT!!!!!!!!! He goes for the pin one more time! He hooks the leg!
1…
2…
3!!!!!!!!!
The referee signals for the – WAIT!! THE REF HOLDS UP TWO FINGERS! PULVER JUST BARELY GOT THE SHOULDER UP!!!
TIM FLOSS:
Are you kidding me? Good gawd!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He’s one of the lighter guys in this tournament but he’s got a heart the size of Mt. Fuji!
A.J. looks over at the referee in disbelief. He gets up to his feet again and grabs Pulver by the hair. Wait! Pulver snatches the arm! He locks in AN ARMBAR!!! AN ARMBAR!! A.J. is still on his feet while Pulver has got him in the armbar! Matt Pulver is dragging on A.J.’s arm with the side of his head pressed into the mat!
A.J. tries to walk over… his injured knee buckles! He drops to a knee!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Looks like A.J. is still feeling the effects from that earlier kneebar!
A.J. roars in pain…
He gets up to two feet once again! Pulver wrenches the hold tighter!
A.J. takes a step…
He reaches for the ropes…
He buckles! He falls face first as Pulver HAS THE REVERSE ARMBAR ON TIGHT!! Pulver is between A.J. and the ropes! Theres’s no reprieve in sight!
A.J. struggles…
He pushes himself up with a free arm… Pulver struggles for dear life to maintain the hold.
A.J. keeps fighting…
He climbs to one knee…
He slumps down to the mat! A.J. taps!!!! The referee calls for it!!! The bell sounds!!
The two men lie exhausted in the ring as trainers and medical personnel swarm around them applying icepacks and performing vital checks. After a minute or two, both men push past the medics and trainers and slap each other on the shoulder! A.J., still clutching his injured arm, with his free hand grabs Pulver by the wrist and raises his arm to the applause of the crowd! Pulver nods with humility.
In the second match, Zenki and Ben Chrenshaw would engage in a colossal battle between two titans. Chrenshaw and Zenki would enter into a contest of thick chops to the chest! Chrenshaw! Zenki! Chrenshaw! Zenki! Chrenshaw would shoot in on the Demon Child and take him to the ground and attempt to apply an armbar. Zenki would escape and hit a soccer kick to Chrenshaw’s head! Zenki sporting the all-black suit would at several times choke Chrenshaw’s throat against the ropes violently. He would then pick up the Crippler… half-nelson suplex! 1… 2… NO!
Zenki would lift up Chrenshaw for a brainbuster, but Chrenshaw would twist out of it! Regal-plex! What a maneuver! Chrenshaw would then apply a guillotine chokehold. In a moment of extreme vitality, Lord Zenki would lift up Chrenshaw and throw him over his head for a Northern Lights suplex! Chrenshaw maintained the guillotine chokehold, but his shoulders were to the mat! 1… 2… Chrenshaw lets go of the hold!
Now, you’ve seen from the opening highlights of the show what happened next. Let’s take you to the epic conclusion of the match...
Zenki clambers up to his feet with a roar. The fans are thundering the backs of their seats. The rumble grows throughout the arena. Lord Zenki picks up Chrenshaw and knees him in the gut! He lifts him up for the gutwrench… he runs forward! He spikes Chrenshaw with the high-angle powerbomb!!! THE ZENKI BOMB!!!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He did it! He did it! Zenki’s been trying to hit that move all night!
The referee goes for the pin.
1…
2…
NO!!! Chrenshaw kicks out! The crowd roars!
TIM FLOSS:
My gawd! My gawd! My gawd!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
I can’t believe it!
Zenki and Chrenshaw both lie exhausted on the mat. Chrenshaw has reached the ropes and pulls himself up. Zenki delivers stomp after stomp to Chrenshaw and then uses the middle rope to once again choke the Crippler.
TIM FLOSS:
Zenki has become merciless in this match. Settle down and fight fair!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Well, you know how he feels about gaijin, Timmy. He’s pulling out all the stops to win this tournament.
Zenki backs up and charges… Shotei! WAIT! Chrenshaw ducks it and locks on an abdominal stretch! He’s got the hold locked in! He starts elbowing Zenki’s exposed ribcage! Pointed blows as Zenki cries out in pain! The ref asks if Zenki wants to quit, but the masked man shakes his head. Chrenshaw keeps up with the elbows! Zenki can’t move! He’s powerless to escape! The Demon Lord with his free hand grabs the referee by the shirt as he moans in pain!
TIM FLOSS:
Goddamn it, ref, stop the match! This is sick!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
I can’t watch! Tell me when it's over!
Zenki lets go of the referee and slumps over. The referee turns to signal the bell – BUT WAIT! ZENKI ROARS AND HIP TOSSES BEN CHRENSHAW! Zenki stumbles back as Chrenshaw jumps up and charges him! Shotei to the face! Chrenshaw nearly KO’d bounces off the ropes! Zenki runs at him with a punishing knee to the stomach! Gutwrench! He gets a running start! A SECOND ZENKI BOMB!!!!!!!!! The ref makes the pin!
1…
2…
3!!!!!!!!
WAIT!!!!!! CHRENSHAW’S HAND GRIPS THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!
TIM FLOSS:
He did it again! He did it again! Chrenshaw has just survived a second Zenki Bomb!
Once again, Zenki and Chrenshaw get up to their feet. Overhand Chop from Zenki! Chrenshaw with an elbow smash! Chop! Elbow! Chop! Elbow! Chop! Chrenshaw with the elbow! HOLD ON - it’s a fake to get Zenki's hands up high! He kicks Zenki in the kneecap and he drops to a knee! He locks on a sleeper hold – TRANSITIONS TO A LOW-ANGLE STRETCH PLUM!!!!!!! He twists and wrenches Zenki’s torso with his broken ribs!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
The Stretch Plum twists an opponent like no other hold out there! It’s a move that originated here in Japan decades ago and still hasn’t been improved upon!
TIM FLOSS:
And all those elbows to the ribs from earlier have to make this move even more painful!
Zenki is stuck, his body construed and contorted unnaturally! Chrenshaw wrenches the hold…
Zenki roars… he won’t give…
Chrenshaw cranks it again…
Zenki struggles… He balls his fist!
The fans cheer!
Chrenshaw gives it another crank…
His grip slips! Zenki breaks free! But Chrenshaw locks on a rear naked choke and drags Zenki down to the mat face-first! He transitions to the legs! WRINKLE IN TIME!! THE HALF-BOSTON CRAB!!!
TIM FLOSS:
There it is folks!
Zenki moans in pain as Chrenshaw wrenches back on the leg, contorting Zenki's body again in all kinds of terrible ways.
Zenki struggles... He reaches out a hand...
It hovers above the canvas...
Chrenshaw looks back to see if Zenki taps...
Zenki's other hand grips Chrenshaw's ankle! He pushes him so Chrenshaw begins losing his balance and the Demon Child crawls out of the hold! Chrenshaw stalks Zenki. Zenki runs toward the turnbuckle with Chrenshaw in pursuit! He jumps onto the middle turnbuckle in the corner, DIVING ZANBATO!!!!!!
TIM FLOSS:
How does he have the energy, Al?!?!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
How do they both have the energy?!?!
Zenki picks up the Crippler from the rear and they are both standing. Zenki has locked in a rear waist lock. Chrenshaw kicks his legs to prevent from going up… Zenki puts him back down, grabs him by by the hair! Headbutt to the back of the skull! Headbutt! Headbutt! Headbutt!
TIM FLOSS:
Zenki’s gone nuts!
Chrenshaw is stunned and Zenki reapplies the rear waist lock. Release German suplex! Chrenshaw is lying on his stomach! He’s out cold! Zenki bends over and grabs him around the waist – he deadlifts him into the gutwrench... he’s got Chrenshaw in the powerbomb position… he gets the running start…
TIM FLOSS:
He’s got him up…
ZENKI BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!! The Ref counts the pin!
1…
2…
ALBERT MORDECAI:
It’s gonna happen, isn’t it?!?!
3!!!!!!
The bell sounds!!!
The two men are both exhausted the crowd chants “ZENKI! ZENKI! ZENKI!” as the referee holds up the hand of an exhausted Zenki who lays on his back. Many of the fellow native junior heavyweights of Shining Road, such as Shigeru Toyama and El Chupacabra Jr. enter into the ring to help the superstar up to his feet.
TIM FLOSS:
This one was a classic, Al. I can’t believe my eyes.
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Five stars, Timmy. That’s all I’ve got to say.
Chrenshaw has gotten up to his feet. Although he’s disappointed, he confronts Zenki and the two fighters would exchange bows. with a sizable section of the crowd giving him applause. Zenki would mount the turnbuckle and raise a fist into the air while his free hand clutched his injured ribs. Chrenshaw is just about to depart the ring when…
IN THE YEAR OF THE WOLF!
The lights dim as the guitar of “In the Year of the Wolf” plays over the PA system and from the entranceway steps Alexander Irvine! He wears a black polo t-shirt and jeans, and more importantly the GPWS Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder. He also has a microphone in his hand. The fans are in a mixture of cheers and boos for Irvine.
TIM FLOSS:
Look over there, Al! It’s Alexander Irvine! And it appears as though he’s brought back the GPWS Heavyweight Championship with him!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
You're right, there it is! That’s a good looking belt!
The crowd quiets down as Irvine begins.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
Well, well, well… not bad, Benny boy. After Julian turned your brain into oatmeal, I didn’t expect to see you competing for weeks. And yet here you are. Turns out it wasn’t enough though, was it?
Irvine looks down at his shoulder. The fans start to boo him.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
Oh this? This is the GPWS Heavyweight Championship. That’s right, I’ve returned this title to Japan and I’ll defend it against anyone who crosses my path. But don’t worry, there aren’t enough warriors left in this country – which barely even has its own military for God’s sake – to take me down.
Zenki is enraged and jumps onto the bottom rope, cursing in Japanese and no doubt pleading for Irvine to come down to the ring. Chrenshaw stands with his hands on his hips, his lips formed into a snarl.
Irvine points at Zenki.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
You there, the gimp in the spandex? Congrats on your victory tonight. But you know, I ran into a friend who you may be acquainted with…
AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
TIM FLOSS:
Here we go!
FELIZ NAVIDAD! FELIZ NAVIDAD!
FELIZ NAVIDAD! PROSPERO AÑO Y FELICIDAD!
The acoustic guitars of “Feliz Navidad” rock the speakers as Mike Musket emerges from the backstage! The Man of the Mountain has his coonskin cap on his head and the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship around his waist! The fans are in a frenzy! Mike Musket looks at Alexander Irvine, the two respected champions staring each other down. Irvine hands the microphone to Musket.
Mike Musket stares down the aisle to the ring.
MIKE MUSKET:
Well hey there, Mister Zenki! Me and Crazy Dog was enjoying a stew yesterday and listenin’ to the radio and heard all this talk about y’all’s tournament and we thought, Hell, why not take a trip to the big city! But when I saw this match tonight, and that fella over there…
He points to Chrenshaw.
MIKE MUSKET:
Now that fella has some rasslin’ skills. See I trained the catch wrestling under Savage Thompson there, boy. I got that achilles tendon hold that could put FDR in a wheelchair! I could take a snake and make him say, ‘Damn! I’m twisted as a sumbitch! Untie me, son!’ So, I’m thinking me and this ole Marine right here, we might just have to make things interesting…
He hands the mic back to Irvine.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
That’d be nice, Mike. I’d love to team up with you to fight against Chrenshaw. But let’s face facts, Ben Chrenshaw doesn’t have any friends. I mean, he’s just a loner with no boner, am I right? Seriously, I would be surprised if anyone ever–
?!?!?!?!?:
You just talk and talk and talk, don’t you?!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Good God! Another one?!
“Until the End” by Breaking Benjamin hits the speakers as A.J. Knight, still in his wrestling gear and with an ice pack wrapped around his knee, steps out to stand up to Musket and Irvine! He wears the brand new “DDT” t-shirt as he steps between the two heavyweight champions of Japan.
AJ KNIGHT:
You know, Irvine, the last time we saw you in Lion’s Road it seemed like Alan Envy was spiking your head on the canvas, or maybe it was Ben over there beating you and Daniels in a triple threat. Well while I’m here in Yokohama I think I’d like to get in on the action. And you can bring your old ass redneck friend here with you.
The Millennial Crusader stares at Musket before he nods to the ring.
AJ KNIGHT:
What do you think, Ben?
The crowd waits in anticipation as one of the ring attendants hands a microphone off to Ben Chrenshaw. He stands for a moment, staring down the three men who stand at the top of the entranceway. Sweat still drips from his face after the grueling match he just endured.
He raises the mic to his lips.
BEN CHRENSHAW:
You bring the shovel, AJ… and I’ll dig the graves.
The crowd is in a fury just hearing him speak! Irvine wears his classic smirk. Mike Musket slaps the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship around his waist and then cups his hands for a mountain howl! A.J. raises a fist and the camera pans to a stern Ben Chrenshaw standing in the ring as the scene fades to black.
ALBERT MORDECAI:
He did it! He did it! Zenki’s been trying to hit that move all night!
The referee goes for the pin.
1…
2…
NO!!! Chrenshaw kicks out! The crowd roars!
TIM FLOSS:
My gawd! My gawd! My gawd!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
I can’t believe it!
Zenki and Chrenshaw both lie exhausted on the mat. Chrenshaw has reached the ropes and pulls himself up. Zenki delivers stomp after stomp to Chrenshaw and then uses the middle rope to once again choke the Crippler.
TIM FLOSS:
Zenki has become merciless in this match. Settle down and fight fair!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Well, you know how he feels about gaijin, Timmy. He’s pulling out all the stops to win this tournament.
Zenki backs up and charges… Shotei! WAIT! Chrenshaw ducks it and locks on an abdominal stretch! He’s got the hold locked in! He starts elbowing Zenki’s exposed ribcage! Pointed blows as Zenki cries out in pain! The ref asks if Zenki wants to quit, but the masked man shakes his head. Chrenshaw keeps up with the elbows! Zenki can’t move! He’s powerless to escape! The Demon Lord with his free hand grabs the referee by the shirt as he moans in pain!
TIM FLOSS:
Goddamn it, ref, stop the match! This is sick!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
I can’t watch! Tell me when it's over!
Zenki lets go of the referee and slumps over. The referee turns to signal the bell – BUT WAIT! ZENKI ROARS AND HIP TOSSES BEN CHRENSHAW! Zenki stumbles back as Chrenshaw jumps up and charges him! Shotei to the face! Chrenshaw nearly KO’d bounces off the ropes! Zenki runs at him with a punishing knee to the stomach! Gutwrench! He gets a running start! A SECOND ZENKI BOMB!!!!!!!!! The ref makes the pin!
1…
2…
3!!!!!!!!
WAIT!!!!!! CHRENSHAW’S HAND GRIPS THE BOTTOM ROPE!!!
TIM FLOSS:
He did it again! He did it again! Chrenshaw has just survived a second Zenki Bomb!
Once again, Zenki and Chrenshaw get up to their feet. Overhand Chop from Zenki! Chrenshaw with an elbow smash! Chop! Elbow! Chop! Elbow! Chop! Chrenshaw with the elbow! HOLD ON - it’s a fake to get Zenki's hands up high! He kicks Zenki in the kneecap and he drops to a knee! He locks on a sleeper hold – TRANSITIONS TO A LOW-ANGLE STRETCH PLUM!!!!!!! He twists and wrenches Zenki’s torso with his broken ribs!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
The Stretch Plum twists an opponent like no other hold out there! It’s a move that originated here in Japan decades ago and still hasn’t been improved upon!
TIM FLOSS:
And all those elbows to the ribs from earlier have to make this move even more painful!
Zenki is stuck, his body construed and contorted unnaturally! Chrenshaw wrenches the hold…
Zenki roars… he won’t give…
Chrenshaw cranks it again…
Zenki struggles… He balls his fist!
The fans cheer!
Chrenshaw gives it another crank…
His grip slips! Zenki breaks free! But Chrenshaw locks on a rear naked choke and drags Zenki down to the mat face-first! He transitions to the legs! WRINKLE IN TIME!! THE HALF-BOSTON CRAB!!!
TIM FLOSS:
There it is folks!
Zenki moans in pain as Chrenshaw wrenches back on the leg, contorting Zenki's body again in all kinds of terrible ways.
Zenki struggles... He reaches out a hand...
It hovers above the canvas...
Chrenshaw looks back to see if Zenki taps...
Zenki's other hand grips Chrenshaw's ankle! He pushes him so Chrenshaw begins losing his balance and the Demon Child crawls out of the hold! Chrenshaw stalks Zenki. Zenki runs toward the turnbuckle with Chrenshaw in pursuit! He jumps onto the middle turnbuckle in the corner, DIVING ZANBATO!!!!!!
TIM FLOSS:
How does he have the energy, Al?!?!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
How do they both have the energy?!?!
Zenki picks up the Crippler from the rear and they are both standing. Zenki has locked in a rear waist lock. Chrenshaw kicks his legs to prevent from going up… Zenki puts him back down, grabs him by by the hair! Headbutt to the back of the skull! Headbutt! Headbutt! Headbutt!
TIM FLOSS:
Zenki’s gone nuts!
Chrenshaw is stunned and Zenki reapplies the rear waist lock. Release German suplex! Chrenshaw is lying on his stomach! He’s out cold! Zenki bends over and grabs him around the waist – he deadlifts him into the gutwrench... he’s got Chrenshaw in the powerbomb position… he gets the running start…
TIM FLOSS:
He’s got him up…
ZENKI BOMB!!!!!!!!!!!! The Ref counts the pin!
1…
2…
ALBERT MORDECAI:
It’s gonna happen, isn’t it?!?!
3!!!!!!
The bell sounds!!!
The two men are both exhausted the crowd chants “ZENKI! ZENKI! ZENKI!” as the referee holds up the hand of an exhausted Zenki who lays on his back. Many of the fellow native junior heavyweights of Shining Road, such as Shigeru Toyama and El Chupacabra Jr. enter into the ring to help the superstar up to his feet.
TIM FLOSS:
This one was a classic, Al. I can’t believe my eyes.
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Five stars, Timmy. That’s all I’ve got to say.
Chrenshaw has gotten up to his feet. Although he’s disappointed, he confronts Zenki and the two fighters would exchange bows. with a sizable section of the crowd giving him applause. Zenki would mount the turnbuckle and raise a fist into the air while his free hand clutched his injured ribs. Chrenshaw is just about to depart the ring when…
IN THE YEAR OF THE WOLF!
The lights dim as the guitar of “In the Year of the Wolf” plays over the PA system and from the entranceway steps Alexander Irvine! He wears a black polo t-shirt and jeans, and more importantly the GPWS Heavyweight Championship over his shoulder. He also has a microphone in his hand. The fans are in a mixture of cheers and boos for Irvine.
TIM FLOSS:
Look over there, Al! It’s Alexander Irvine! And it appears as though he’s brought back the GPWS Heavyweight Championship with him!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
You're right, there it is! That’s a good looking belt!
The crowd quiets down as Irvine begins.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
Well, well, well… not bad, Benny boy. After Julian turned your brain into oatmeal, I didn’t expect to see you competing for weeks. And yet here you are. Turns out it wasn’t enough though, was it?
Irvine looks down at his shoulder. The fans start to boo him.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
Oh this? This is the GPWS Heavyweight Championship. That’s right, I’ve returned this title to Japan and I’ll defend it against anyone who crosses my path. But don’t worry, there aren’t enough warriors left in this country – which barely even has its own military for God’s sake – to take me down.
Zenki is enraged and jumps onto the bottom rope, cursing in Japanese and no doubt pleading for Irvine to come down to the ring. Chrenshaw stands with his hands on his hips, his lips formed into a snarl.
Irvine points at Zenki.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
You there, the gimp in the spandex? Congrats on your victory tonight. But you know, I ran into a friend who you may be acquainted with…
AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!
TIM FLOSS:
Here we go!
FELIZ NAVIDAD! FELIZ NAVIDAD!
FELIZ NAVIDAD! PROSPERO AÑO Y FELICIDAD!
The acoustic guitars of “Feliz Navidad” rock the speakers as Mike Musket emerges from the backstage! The Man of the Mountain has his coonskin cap on his head and the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship around his waist! The fans are in a frenzy! Mike Musket looks at Alexander Irvine, the two respected champions staring each other down. Irvine hands the microphone to Musket.
Mike Musket stares down the aisle to the ring.
MIKE MUSKET:
Well hey there, Mister Zenki! Me and Crazy Dog was enjoying a stew yesterday and listenin’ to the radio and heard all this talk about y’all’s tournament and we thought, Hell, why not take a trip to the big city! But when I saw this match tonight, and that fella over there…
He points to Chrenshaw.
MIKE MUSKET:
Now that fella has some rasslin’ skills. See I trained the catch wrestling under Savage Thompson there, boy. I got that achilles tendon hold that could put FDR in a wheelchair! I could take a snake and make him say, ‘Damn! I’m twisted as a sumbitch! Untie me, son!’ So, I’m thinking me and this ole Marine right here, we might just have to make things interesting…
He hands the mic back to Irvine.
ALEXANDER IRVINE:
That’d be nice, Mike. I’d love to team up with you to fight against Chrenshaw. But let’s face facts, Ben Chrenshaw doesn’t have any friends. I mean, he’s just a loner with no boner, am I right? Seriously, I would be surprised if anyone ever–
?!?!?!?!?:
You just talk and talk and talk, don’t you?!
ALBERT MORDECAI:
Good God! Another one?!
“Until the End” by Breaking Benjamin hits the speakers as A.J. Knight, still in his wrestling gear and with an ice pack wrapped around his knee, steps out to stand up to Musket and Irvine! He wears the brand new “DDT” t-shirt as he steps between the two heavyweight champions of Japan.
AJ KNIGHT:
You know, Irvine, the last time we saw you in Lion’s Road it seemed like Alan Envy was spiking your head on the canvas, or maybe it was Ben over there beating you and Daniels in a triple threat. Well while I’m here in Yokohama I think I’d like to get in on the action. And you can bring your old ass redneck friend here with you.
The Millennial Crusader stares at Musket before he nods to the ring.
AJ KNIGHT:
What do you think, Ben?
The crowd waits in anticipation as one of the ring attendants hands a microphone off to Ben Chrenshaw. He stands for a moment, staring down the three men who stand at the top of the entranceway. Sweat still drips from his face after the grueling match he just endured.
He raises the mic to his lips.
BEN CHRENSHAW:
You bring the shovel, AJ… and I’ll dig the graves.
The crowd is in a fury just hearing him speak! Irvine wears his classic smirk. Mike Musket slaps the MAX-J Heavyweight Championship around his waist and then cups his hands for a mountain howl! A.J. raises a fist and the camera pans to a stern Ben Chrenshaw standing in the ring as the scene fades to black.
Back in the empty arena, Solomon Bentley turns over to Kai.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Incredible highlights from tonight, Kai. We want to thank our production team for getting those incredible shots of the fighters.
KAI HARRISON:
Absolutely. Great work from production as well as the fighters. And let me tell you, Solomon, Ben Chrenshaw earned a lot of fans in this arena tonight in a losing effort. And the indomitable heart of A.J. Knight, you can’t say enough. And we have it confirmed straight from Chikashi Enatsu who praised Ben Chrenshaw's fighting spirit... we're gonna have Chrenshaw and AJ Knight up against Irvine and Musket in tag team competition at the next show tomorrow night. Solomon, we knew this tournament would be special. But I didn’t expect all of this.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Indeed, my friend. So, give us a rundown of the semifinals. We have Edwards vs. Zenki and Pulver vs. Himura. Two natives, two foreigners left.
KAI HARRISON:
Let’s start with Matt Pulver versus Katsuhiko Himura. These were both two of the lighter fighters in this tournament. They both have tremendous speed and are top-notch tacticians. This is going to be an academic endeavor, no doubts about it. It wouldn’t surprise me if a surprise pin ended their match.
He takes a deep breath.
KAI HARRISON:
Now, this next match is going to be very interesting. Edwards and Zenki were both competitors who made it out of their brackets in the J1 Summit, so you know they’re skilled tournament fighters. Edwards’ striking ability remains unparalleled. I like his kicks better than those of Julian Cutlass in Lion’s Road, my personal preference. But Zenki feels like he’s carrying the hearts of all the Japanese people with him. You can’t discount that factor.
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
Well, we’re halfway through the tournament and we’ve already had surprises abound. What can we expect next?
KAI HARRISON:
God only knows, at this point…
SOLOMON BENTLEY:
And I can’t wait to see it! We’ll catch you guys tomorrow for the semifinals in this epic tournament!
- RECAP -
2017 SWORD OF LITE GRAND PRIX - Quarterfinals
Date: October 22, 2017
Location: Mirai Dome, Yokohama, Japan
Attendance: 9,100 fans (91% capacity)
1. Toru Ishii defeats Sheik Spectre (10:14) via submission with a triangle hold.
2. KRAKEN defeats Satoshi Kamakura (9:11) via pinfall after a snap powerbomb.
3. Jimmy Winner and Big Cage Mike defeat Hayato Hamada and Damien Turlan (12:05) when Mike uses the Cocaine Blues on Turlan.
4. Kaito Matsushita defeats Kishin Nozaki (10:33) via pinfall after a Shining Yakuza kick.
5. Yoshihiro Sawamura defeats Hiroyuki Fukudome (11:08) via pinfall after the Judo Lives!
6. Masayoshi Arimoto, Takeshi Morimoto, and KOSUKE defeat Ikki Yanagi, Zen Hayashi, and Hajime Tanaka (15:54) via pinfall after Arimoto uses the MTD on Hayashi.
7. Sword of Lite Grand Prix - Quarterfinals: James Edwards defeats Shigeru Toyama (10:02) via referee stoppage (kicks).
8. Sword of Lite Grand Prix - Quarterfinals: Katsuhiko Himura defeats Thunder Mask (13:30) via pinfall with a Katana Blaster hold.
9. Sword of Lite Grand Prix - Quarterfinals: Matt Pulver defeats A.J. Knight (18:47) via submission with a reverse cross armbreaker.
10. Sword of Lite Grand Prix - Quarterfinals: ZENKI defeats Ben Chrenshaw (24:55) via pinfall with a deadlift-style ZENKI Bomb.
- PREVIEW -
2017 SWORD OF LITE GRAND PRIX - Semifinals
Date: October 23, 2017
Location: Mirai Dome, Yokohama, Japan
1. Ben Chrenshaw and AJ Knight vs. Alexander Irvine and Mike Musket
2. Sword of Lite Grand Prix - Semifinals: Matt Pulver vs. Katsuhiko Himura
3. Sword of Lite Grand Prix - Semifinals: James Edwards vs. ZENKI