Post by fifthhorseman on Aug 21, 2018 0:27:54 GMT -5
FRIDAY NIGHT IMPACT
EPISODE 9
EPISODE 9
30-second highlight reel of past GIW action, then it’s lasers and pyro to kick off the show before the camera focuses on our host.
Lance Russell: “This is the final Friday Night Impact before Major Impact, coming to pay-per-view in just a few days! I’m Lance Russell, and I’m joined on commentary tonight by Irwin R. Schyster. We have four matches on the docket tonight, including a non-title match featuring the GIW World Tag-Team champions, Edge and Christian! We also have some more announcements to make about Major Impact, so let’s not delay, let’s get to the ring right now.”
The ADDICTION vs. WELL DUNN:
vs.
vs.
A team from GIW President Jeff Jarrett’s past, the cocky southern rockers known as Well Dunn waited in the ring. They were followed by the debuting Addiction, who were equally confident, and the audience was backing them up. Doll and King put up a good fight for the first few minutes, but the tide inevitably turned to Kazarian and Daniels, whose experience and savvy were practically unmatched in tag-team wrestling. The match ended at 9:32 when Daniels hit Doll with Angel’s Wings, and Kaz used his Fade to Black piledriver on King; it was a double pin for the win.
After the match, Daniels took the house microphone. “Well, one win in the book already. A hot Vegas crowd, a big pay-per-view coming up… and the Addiction is in the house. Jeff Jarrett, we know you’re listening. One of the matches you have coming up at Major Impact is the tag-team gauntlet match. Me and Kaz want in… and as high as the stakes are in that match, we’re willing to raise them. Seems like the thing to do at Mandalay Bay, right? We want in – and we’ll go first. That’s right. Make us team number one, and we’ll run the gauntlet and win the whole thing. Ball’s in your court now.”
COMMERCIAL
Post-break, live interview with Lance Russell, and the Dynamic 2uo and their new manager, Jim Cornette. The trio all had something to say, and transcribing the conversation would take up valuable reading time. But in summary, they were all excited to get their hands back on the Midnight Express at Major Impact, and if the lumberjacks surrounding the ring with tennis rackets at their disposal did their job, Eaton and Lane would be wishing they never came to GIW.
The USOS vs. WBKS:
vs.
vs.
Murphy and Blake were driven to prove that they belonged with the best in the world, and the five-time WWE tag champs were certainly the measuring stick for that. The Usos had a slight weight advantage, and their chemistry was unmatched, but WBKS were in great condition and up to the task. The contest see-sawed back and forth at a frantic pace, with several double-team maneuvers bringing the crowd out of their seats. Finally, Jey Uso came off the top rope onto Blake with a huge splash, and the count
...didn’t even get to two. The bell rang, signifying the end to a 20-minute time limit draw. Neither team was thrilled with the result, but the show was on a tight schedule, and it went to
COMMERCIAL
Another interview, preceded by a video clip from last week’s Dudleyz/Briscoes match. The two teams were “speaking to each other” via videoconferencing equipment, as GIW officials did not want to put them in the same state, let alone the same room. The banter was threatening and over-the-top, and the network censor earned his paycheck, and the message from both was clear – the next time they were in the ring together, it would be all-out war.
ELI DRAKE (w/Paul Orndorff) vs. MASATO TANAKA (w/Mike Awesome):
vs.
vs.
This rare singles match was requested by Drake, whose partner was the reigning GIW King of the Ring. “Mr. Wonderful” was still bitter over losing to Tanaka at the WWE Big Event, and Drake volunteered to exact some revenge for him.
Before the bout even started, Awesome and Orndorff went nose-to-nose on the outside. Between the ropes, the action was equally intense. The “Defiant One” brought his A-game against the Japanese legend, and took the advantage early. However, Tanaka, a former World champion in his own right, countered a Gravy Train attempt, and went to work with high-impact offense. The match lasted just over 12 minutes, but ended in unsatisfying fashion; as an increasingly infuriated Awesome chased Orndorff around the ring, the KotR champ tripped Tanaka as he bounced off the ropes. Drake caught his staggering foe in the tightest small package he could cinch, and stole the victory. The Main Event Machine laughed their way all the way to the locker room.
COMMERCIAL
The camera was focused on the broadcast table, where Lance Russell had breaking news to share. “Friends, I’ve just been told that Jeff Jarrett has gotten some more Major Impact business done. For starters, the Addiction will be in the gauntlet match, and as requested, they will be the first team to enter the ring… good luck, gentlemen. Furthermore, Jay and Mark Briscoe, and the Dudley Boyz, are also participants in the gauntlet match, and they are guaranteed to cross paths, as they will enter - at some point in the match - consecutively.”
“In addition, another title match has been signed. Wade Barrett’s recent strong showing against Terry Gordy has earned his team a chance for gold: the GIW Intercontinental Tag-Team champions, the U.S. Express, will defend their titles against the Great Britons.”
Schyster: “That’s all well and good, Russell, but I have something to say, too.”
Before the legendary broadcaster could reply, “the Taxman” left the table and walked down the ramp, microphone in hand to address the jeering crowd. “Show some respect before I give you a receipt you don’t want to claim. I’m quite sure that most of you snuck in without paying admission… trust me, I’ve seen the books, I know what I’m talking about.”
He entered the ring to a chorus of boos and continued. “You’re all frauds and cheats… but the man I’m about to introduce is certainly not. He’s an honorable man, a philanthropist, and someone who backs up his words with action. He’s a man that I’ve worked with for years, and I’m proud to call him my friend. Here he is… Ted DiBiase.”
One of the most iconic themes in wrestling blared as DiBiase strutted down the ramp and entered the ring. Dressed to the nines, wearing the familiar, arrogant smile, he shook Schyster’s hand, all while the crowd gave him a merciless reception. He soaked in the crowd disapproval for nearly two full minutes before accepting the microphone.
“Get ready... for change.”
That was all he said before letting out his trademark laugh, and he and Schyster left to more jeers as Russell set up the next video package, featuring the combatants in the main event at Major Impact: Hennig and Pillman, Edge and Christian. And that bled into
EDGE and CHRISTIAN (c) vs. the REVIVAL:
vs.
vs.
The GIW World champions got the rock star treatment coming down to ringside. They even obliged the crowd with their famous five-second pose… but only got about three seconds in before Wilder and Dawson jumped them from behind. The brawl spilled outside, and the Revival slammed Edge into the steel corner steps before the referee assumed control of the non-title match.
Christian fared well against the modern-day old-schoolers as he waited for his partner to recover, but eventually, the mechanics cornered him. Dawson and Wilder worked as a unit, isolating the “Instant Classic” and targeting his neck and upper back. While this took place, Hennig and Pillman made their way to the announcers’ table, enjoying what they saw as they scouted the action. After several long minutes, Christian made the tag to a fired-up Edge, and he had fists and slams for both of his foes. A couple of minutes for fast-paced action and quick tags later, the “Rated-R Superstar” pinned Wilder after a spear at 16:15.
As soon as the bell rang, “Mr. Perfect” and the “Loose Cannon” slowly strolled down the ramp and stopped just a few feet short of the ring. The multi-time WWE title-holders got to their feet and stared right back at them, ready to fight before their scheduled match. However, they ignored the Revival, who jumped them again. They got a couple of good shots in, but the GIW flag-bearers back-bodydropped them over the ropes, landing just inches from Pillman and Hennig. The show faded to black with Edge and Christian being presented their championship gold, while their challengers angrily pointed back.