Post by Joe on Jun 16, 2023 22:15:38 GMT -5
ULTIMATE PRO WRESTLING
"REIGN SUPREME"
Friday, June 16th, 2023
The Walter Pyramid, Long Beach, CA
Live on FITE TV
The time has finally come! "Reign Supreme" is here, and tonight, we will be crowning four champions, including the Premier Championship, as the unstoppable Australian Buddy Matthews takes on the indestructible Russian Ilja Dragunov! We get a video package for the event to the sounds of "The Four Seasons: Summer III. Presto" by Antonio Vivaldi.
We then get a good look at the indoors of the arena, as we get some pyro going off around stage side.
The crowd here is hot in Long Beach, as we are introduced to our commentary team for this evening, Kevin Kelly and Caprice Coleman. They go over the card for this evening, as we see a graphic for all of the big matches coming tonight. As we said earlier, Buddy Matthews and Ilja Dragunov will be competing in the finals of the Premier Championship tournament; British Strong Style and MSK will be in a contest for the Tag Team Championship; in a Four Way Ladder Match, Kalisto, Justin Gabriel, Jay Lethal, and Shane "Swerve" Strickland will be risking it all to try to become the X Division Champion; and we will have the first ever women's match in UPW history, as Toni Storm and IYO SKY compete for the UPW Women's Championship! Also tonight, we will see the semi-finals of the tournament to crown the Pure Wrestling Champion, as Drew Gulak takes on Josh Alexander and Jonathan Gresham faces Roderick Strong!
Kevin Kelly then sends it over to Blake Howard, who sets up a package that features our two competitors in the main event to hype up this big championship match!
We get a voice over by Blake Howard to set things up as we see highlights and training montage footage from both Buddy Matthews and Ilja Dragunov:
"Two forces of nature are set to collide, as their paths will cross on June 16th in Long Beach, California. At 'Reign Supreme', the unstoppable force meets the immovable object, as the power and fury of Buddy Matthews clashes with the heart and iron will of Ilja Dragunov! Matthews feels that tonight is finally his chance to shine and to prove he is one of the best in the world today; Dragunov has made a name for himself all over the world for being one of the toughest competitors in the entire sport, and wants to carry championship gold once more. On June 16th, at the Walter Pyramid in Long Beach, California, we will find out who will 'Reign Supreme'!"
We then get a short message from Matthews:
"I haven't come this far just to fall short now. Whatever it takes. That's been the motto all week. Whatever it takes. You may see me do things I've never done before, do things I never thought I'd have to do... maybe even things I'm not proud of. I'm going to keep hitting this man until he doesn't move, one way or another. Ilja, you're a hell of a wrestler and you seem like a good guy, but I can't afford to care on Friday night. On Friday night, I'm coming for you with hate in my heart and bad intentions, because I know that's what it's going to take to keep you down and get my hand raised. Whatever it takes, so be it."
We then get a message from Dragunov:
"I didn't come to UPW to be second at anything. When I left the AWA, it was with the intention of moving up the ladder and positioning myself for true greatness. That path to greatness continues through tonight. I have a destiny, Buddy Matthews. I have a greater purpose. I have the blood of champions and conquerors running through my veins. Russians have dominated every sport, including this one, and I will continue that lineage tonight. Even more than that, I have personally forged myself into a great fighting instrument, a weapon of destruction, but also one that withstand any attack. My body, my mind, my spirit, I am ready for the war. They've tried to count me out up until now against each man I've faced, but here I am. I'm still here; and I will still be here, standing with championship gold at the end of the night."
We get a shot of both men turning sideways and facing each other on a darkened set as the "REIGN SUPREME" logo appears between them. We get a couple of seconds of a stair down, and then it's back to ringside.
Kevin and Caprice go over the main event, and then the card as a whole once more, before we go to Mike Rome in the ring, who is ready to introduce our first competitors of the evening.
MATCH ONE
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, 10 Minute Time Limit
Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tony Nese
Referee: Adrian Butler
Both men were making their debuts here, and they put on a decently worked match for the fans to get things rolling on this big premium event. Konosuke is a very solid hand from Japan, but it was the New Yorker Nese who would really draw the fans in with his heel antics and showmanship. Takeshita would fire up and begin getting the fans behind him on his own. Nese would attempt to hit a German Suplex out of a counter, but Takeshita would block it and counter with a roll-up for a two count. Takeshita would get to his feet before Nese and catch him with a Knee Lift to the Face as he's up to a knee to knock him for a loop. Takeshita would clap and draw the fans in as Nese got back to his feet. Takeshita then ran and jumped off the middle rope and then backward, hitting a Kono Cutter, and that puts Nese down for the three count.
Winner by Pinfall: Konosuke Takeshita
(00:08:11)
Graphic for Gulak and Alexander featuring Pure Wrestling Ruleset and Blake Howard voiceover:
"The Pure Championship in UPW celebrates the technical mat wrestling side of professional wrestling, and the rules for a Pure Wrestling Match are as follows:
1. Each wrestler has three rope breaks to stop submission holds and pinfalls.
2. After a wrestler exhausts his rope breaks, submission and pin attempts on or under the ropes by his opponent are considered legal.
3. No closed-fist punches to the face permitted.
4. Open-handed slaps or chops to the face are permitted.
5. Punches to the rest of the body are allowed, excluding low blows.
6. The first use of a closed fist to the face receives a warning.
7. The second use of a closed fist to the face results in disqualification.
8. The title can change hands via disqualification and countout (10 seconds).
9. Outside interference will result in automatic termination from the roster for the wrestler that interferes.
Drew Gulak has traveled the world and plied his craft in some of the biggest promotions in professional wrestling. He is known as sort of a 'throwback', representing the group CatchPoint, who pride themselves on being great technicians in the ring. He faces off with Canadian standout Josh Alexander, who is called 'The Walking Weapon' because of the versatility he brings to the ring. Alexander relies heavily on his amateur background to give him a great base to jump from, but from there he can do anything, and he does it well. The Pure championship by nature is meant to emphasize the ability of the champion to compete between the ropes, first and foremost, and both of these men can certainly do that, but who will be able to survive and make it to the finals?"
We then head to the ring for the second match of the evening.
MATCH TWO
UPW PURE TITLE TOURNAMENT
PURE RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Drew Gulak vs. "The Walking Weapon" Josh Alexander
Referee: Chris Sharpe
Alexander has an intensity that really draws the crowd in, while Gulak was playing the cowardly heel tonight. Alexander would fire up on Gulak, getting the better of an early exchange, causing Gulak to go to the ropes and tell the referee to back him off, when Chris Sharpe informed Gulak that he had just used one of his three rope breaks to his dismay. The fans had fun antagonizing Gulak, who would yell at them to shut up to no avail. The referee would warn Gulak against eye gauging and fish hooking Alexander at different points in the match, but none of these underhanded tactics seemed to do him much good. Alexander would use a massive Exploder Suplex into the ropes, sending Gulak down awkwardly onto his head, followed by the C4 Spike (Double Underhook Piledriver) to get the pinfall and advance in the tournament.
Winner by Pinfall: Josh Alexander
(00:11:22)
Hype package with Blake Howard voiceover:
"THE MIGHTY DON'T KNEEL! We heard Buddy Matthews utter these words at 'Combat Evolved', and now his partners from Australia have arrived. TMDK, comprised of Shane Thorne and Mikey Nicholls, have taken the tag team wrestling world by storm, winning championships all over the world. They look to continue this trend here in UPW, but tonight, a big challenge stands in their way. VIOLENCE UNLIMITED are here in UPW, and the group, represented by the massive Brody King and dangerous Chris Dickinson, have plans of their own for tag team domination. Will the mighty be triumphant, or will the purveyors of violence have their way?"
MATCH THREE
TAG TEAM RULES
One Fall, 15 Minute Time Limit
VLNCE UNLTD: Brody King & Chris Dickinson vs. TMDK: Mikey Nicholls & Shane Thorne
Referee: Dan Engler
This was a hard hitting contest that had a bit more of a plodding pace to start. King and Dickinson took their time trying to break down Shane Thorne early on, and then after a hot tag to Nicholls, managed to get back the momentum and continue their onslaught. King would attempt to lift Nicholls into a Canadian Backbreaker, but Nicholls would escape and leap, making a desperate tag to Thorne, who flew in with a Springboard Knee Strike to send King flying backwards into his corner. Dickinson would make the tag from there. Thorne and Nicholls would deliver a Thunder Valley (Double Gorilla Press into Powerbomb/Chokeslam Combo) on Dickinson. King would rush forward and they would try the same to him, but the hulking King would block it. King would lay into both men with a series of slaps, but they would fire off with a Double Lariat to knock him back into the ropes, followed by a Double Running Dropkick to send King down to the floor! From there, Dickinson would walk into Nicholls, who grabbed him up over his shoulder, leading to Thorne coming off the middle turnbuckle with a DDT to nail the Tankbuster, and that does it! Thorne would cover and get the three count for his team.
Winners by Pinfall: Mikey Nicholls & Shane Thorne
(00:10:38)
Graphic for Gresham and Strong with graphic once again explaining Pure Wrestling Rules with Blake Howard voiceover:
"Roderick Strong is a world renowned grappler who has spent time in some of the biggest companies around the world. He is a master of the backbreaker, as well as various submission holds, and has beaten some of the best in the business today. Jonathan Gresham has been on the rise on the independents, representing The Foundation team here in UPW. He has gained a cult following for his amazing mat wrestling ability and impressive power despite his smaller stature. He has been called 'The Octopus' due to his ability to tangle his opponents up in intricate submission locks, but it is time to see if he can use these techniques to secure his biggest win to date."
MATCH FOUR
UPW PURE TITLE TOURNAMENT
PURE RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Jonathan Gresham vs. Roderick Strong
Referee: Chris Sharpe
The match starts at a fever pitch, as these two show their great conditioning, trade holds back and forth, counter for counter, and wowing the fans with their technical mastery. Strong, though, decides to give Gresham a wake up call and blasts with him with a closed fist to the face, earning him a warning from Chris Sharpe but also rattling Gresham up a bit. Gresham seems incensed by this and Strong takes advantage, countering a takedown attempting and throwing Gresham right out of the ring to get boos from the Long Beach crowd. Caprice remarks that Strong is showing his experience edge, playing mind games with Gresham, while Kevin says he is tarnishing the spirit of this tournament. Caprice says that Strong knows what it takes to win, and is just using the rules to his advantage.
Once Gresham is back into the ring, Strong locks him up into a Cross Armbar, forcing him to use his first rope break. Gresham would get Strong locked into an Octopus Stretch and force him to use a lot of energy to get to the ropes to make his first break. Strong manage to work over the back of Gresham with a big Uranage Backbreaker, a Rib Breaker, a Bow and Arrow Lock, and then a Half Nelson Backbreaker, leading him to lock on a Standing Inverted Cloverleaf that he thought might get him the win, but Gresham showed his heart to get to the ropes once more, using his second break. Gresham would fire back up and reverse a whip from Roddy with a Quebrada to his standing opponent, holding him down for a two count.
Gresham would try for a Piledriver, but his back would fail him, leading to Strong delivering a Lungblower for a two count. Strong would lift Gresham and try for the End of Heartache, but Gresham would float over it and grab and roll up Strong with a Prawn Hold, only to have Strong roll through it and lock him into a Camel Clutch, but Gresham's feet were under the ropes. That exhausts Gresham's third rope break, which Caprice points out was unintentional. Strong would lift Gresham up and try to hook him in for the End of Heartache again, but Gresham would break free and fire away with forearm shots, following with a Northern Lights Suplex into a Butterfly Lock, but his back would once again not hold, as he had to let go. Gresham would attempt to whip Strong into the buckles, but Strong would reverse and send Gresham into the buckles HARD chest first, running off the ropes as he did and delivers a Sick Kick (Single Leg Dropkick) that flips Gresham over!
Strong rushes over, using his head to turn Gresham on the mat and hooks the leg, but somehow Gresham kicks out, but Kevin Kelly points out that he doesn't seem to have anything left. Strong presses Gresham into the mat face first and plants knees repeatedly into his lower back before applying his Stronghold (Boston Crab with Knee to Back)! Gresham is close to the ropes and grabs the bottom one, but he has no ropebreaks left! Chris Sharpe tells him he can't break the hold, so Gresham has no choice and is forced to tap out. Roderick Strong wins, but what an effort from Gresham! Strong heads to the finals to face Josh Alexander for the title.
Winner by Submission: Roderick Strong
(00:15:12)
Graphic for Storm and Sky with Blake Howard voice over:
"Only the best of the best compete in UPW, and that goes for the women's division, as well. Toni Storm and IYO SKY are no strangers to each other. These two warriors have battled over the top championships in Japan and Europe, and are now here in UPW to display the state of the art of women's wrestling today for the fans here in America and across the globe watching on FITE TV!"
MATCH FIVE
UPW WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
IYO SKY vs. Toni Storm
Referee: Chad Patton
Toni Storm was absolutely fierce tonight, as she showed up to Long Beach with a bad attitude and showed IYO SKY no respect. IYO SKY was able to win over the crowd, not just with her amazing athleticism and high flying prowess, but also her undying will to win. Storm would throw everything she could at her, delivering her biggest moves, such as the Strong Zero (Short Spike Piledriver) and Texas Cloverleaf, but SKY refused to quit. Storm would try for the Toni Driver '98 (Tiger Driver), but SKY would amazingly reverse into a Huracanrana Roll-up for a two count! Toni would charge SKY but get tripped up into the ropes, and SKY would use a 619 to put her down on the mat, followed by a Springboard Moonsault for a two count! SKY would head up top, but Storm would head her off and these two would fight on the top. Storm would grab SKY like she was looking for an Air Raid Crash, but SKY would elbow her in the back and then elbow her to the nape of the neck to stun the New Zealander. SKY would then stand on the top turnbuckle and then leap up, twisting and catching Storm's head and delivering a REVERSE FRANKENSTEINER OFF THE BUCKLES! From there, SKY goes to the top turnbuckle and hits a breathtaking Moonsault, crashing onto Storm and then hooking her leg to get the three count and the victory as the crowd gives her a standing ovation!
Winner by Pinfall, and NEW UPW Women's Champion: IYO SKY
(00:13:18)
We get a graphic advertising UPW's next premium event on FITE TV, "Extreme Heat", on July 28th from the Orange Pavilion in San Bernardino, California!
We then get a voice over from Adam Pearce with graphics and video talking about new partnerships they've reached with AXS TV and YouTube:
"Hey, it's Adam Pearce here, General Manager of Ultimate Pro Wrestling. I know you fans are as excited as I am about UPW, and why wouldn't you be? We are putting on the best wrestling shows anywhere in the world, and I'm excited to announce that we will be partnering with AXS TV and YouTube to bring you three new weekly shows to bring you the one of a king action that only UPW can provide. On Wednesday nights, head over to AXS TV at 9pm to get a jam packed hour of the top stars of UPW doing battle on "UPW RUSH"; Saturday nights, head back over to AXS at 10pm, because you will be treated to another hour of UPW programming, "BLAST", that is sure to have you on the edge of your seats! And then finally, go on over to YouTube and subscribe to our official Ultimate Pro Wrestling, where you will get a high octane one hour episode of "UPW OVERDRIVE" uploaded each Sunday morning at 11am. That's right, Sunday morning wrestling is back, and better than ever! And remember, stay tuned to FITE TV, where you can catch all of our premium events, such as 'Extreme Heat', which is coming at you live on July 28th, and I promise you, you won't want to miss it!"
We then get a voice over from Blake Howard with a graphic for British Strong Style and MSK:
"Now let's head to the ring for our UPW Tag Team Championship tournament finale, as British Strong Style take on MSK!"
MATCH SIX
UPW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP
TAG TEAM RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
British Strong Style: Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate vs. MSK: Nate Carter & Wes Lee
Referee: Dan Engler
While Dunne and Bate may be fast in their own right, they have nothing on the speed of MSK. MSK may seem like a lot of other teams on their face, with their high energy, highly choreographed style, but they bring a certain flair, grace, and cohesion that make them truly a special act to see. When Nate Carter and Wes Lee get going, it can truly be jaw dropping, and these fans here in Long Beach got to see that first hand tonight. However, British Strong Style were able to prove that they didn't need all of that speed or all of the fancy tandem offense to get the job done. These guys hit hard and have great technique, and once they were able to get the Ohio stand outs off the their feet and out of the air, it was a masterclass in brutality. Dunne and Bate were trained to punish their opponents in England, and they put that to good use here. Near the end of the match, Tyler Bate would run and show great leaping agility to catch Wes Lee with a Flying European Uppercut to send him off the top turnbuckle and crashing into the guardrail on the floor, completely wiping him out. From there, Dunne would grab up Carter and hold him in a Hart Attack position, allowing Bate to run and blast Carter with a European Uppercut that sent him down hard. Wes Lee would desperately try to get back into the ring, but Bate would fly through the ropes and tumble onto him with a Front Flip Suicida to wipe him out once more! From there, Dunne would lift Carter up. Carter would try to fight back with flailing strikes, but Dunne would blast him with a vicious forearm to ragdoll him almost off of his feet, but Dunne would grab him by the back of his tights to stop him from falling over. Dunne then pumphandles him and lifts him up, delivering the Bitter End, and it's all over! Dunne hooks both legs and Dan Engler makes the three count. British Strong Style are the new Tag Team Champions!
Winners by Pinfall, and NEW UPW Tag Team Champions: Pete Dunne & Tyler Bate
(00:12:25)
Hype video for the X Division Championship Ladder Match with Blake Howard voice over:
"The X Division is meant to bring the chaos and creativity of professional wrestling to the forefront. The most high flying, high impact stars of UPW compete in the X Division, and tonight, we've got four of the most exciting wrestlers on the roster doing battle in the fabled Ladder Match to try to become the first ever X Division Champion! Who will have the toughest and will to make it to the top of the ladder in the X Division?
MATCH SEVEN
UPW X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
FOUR WAY LADDER MATCH
No Falls, No Time Limit
Jay Lethal vs. Justin Gabriel vs. Kalisto vs. Shane "Swerve" Strickland
This match was as chaotic and dangerous as billed, as each of these four men probably just took years off of their careers and lives for the entertainment of this audience here in Long Beach. Here are some of the highlights: Kalisto would scale up a ladder that was tipped over onto the ropes, running the rungs and flipping to the outside onto Lethal and Gabriel fighting on the ramp. Strickland would grab Lethal's legs as he fought with Kalisto on top of the ladder, sending him off the ladder with a Powerbomb as Lethal held Kalisto in a suplex, which caught Kalisto's legs on the ropes and sent him down awkwardly; Gabriel would catch "Swerve" with a kick to the face while he was on the apron to lay him out on a ladder bridged between the apron and guardrail, and proceeded to hit a 450 Splash off the top turnbuckle to Strickland, caving in the ladder and nearly "Swerve's" chest; Lethal would put a ladder over his head and do the old Terry Funk spot, spinning around clocking his opponents until "Swerve" springboarded in and double stomped the ladder to collapse Lethal into a heap under it; two ladders were set up in the middle of the ring, with Lethal and Gabriel fighting on one at the top and Kalisto and Strickland fighting on the other, only to have them turn and start fighting the men opposite them, leading to Lethal hitting Strickland with a Cutter off the ladder and Gabriel hitting a Swinging DDT of sorts on Kalisto; Kalisto would hit a BRUTAL Bridging Package Powerbomb to Gabriel onto a Ladder leaned into the buckles to take him out for the rest of the match; Jay Lethal would leap from the middle of the ladder in the center of the ring to execute an Elbowdrop on Kalisto; Strickland would springboard in and show his amazing athleticism, landing on the ladder but then leaping backwards and coming down on Lethal with a Swerve Stomp while he was recovering from elbowing Kalisto; "Swerve" then scaled the ladder to retrieve the title and become the first UPW X Division Champion!
Winner, and NEW UPW X Division Champion: Shane Strickland
(00:24:56)
Hype video with Blake Howard voice over:
"It all comes down to this. The one we've been waiting for. The Premier Championship finale. Two of the best will fight it out to determine who the greatest champion in Ultimate Pro Wrestling is."
Video of Buddy Matthews:
"Ilja, you've overcome a lot and nobody can take that away from you, but tonight, I'm crushing your dreams. You've had a good run, mate, but all good things come to an end."
Video of Ilja Dragunov:
"Buddy, you've proven yourself a worthy adversary, but I didn't come all of this way to go home empty handed. I will take all of the punishment, and I will smash you until you are a broken man. I will take my energy, my drive, and I will conquer you tonight, Buddy! I am the champion, I am the Czar!"
Video of Buddy:
"You are just a man, Ilja, and every man breaks. Whatever it takes, you're not walking away tonight."
Video of Ilja:
"May God have mercy on you, because 'The Mad Dragon' will not!"
We head back to ringside, where we see the stage. We get pyro as a graphic for the Premier Championship appears on the screen and Mike Rome begins introducing the competitors.
MATCH EIGHT
UPW PREMIER CHAMPIONSHIP
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Buddy Matthews vs. Ilja Dragunov
Referee: Chad Patton
The tension was palpable here, as these two stared across the ring from each other. Matthews would crouch with his hands on his knees, looking past his brow at Ilja, who was pounding his chest and smiling like a maniac across from him, begging Matthews to advance. Then they would clash, and it was Ilja who would gain the advantage early. Dragunov would show great aptitude on the mat, wrestling Matthews, who was on the defensive, trying to get off of his back and onto his feet, where he is a very dangerous striker. Matthews would manage to get a rope break and Patton would stand them up. Ilja would go to take Buddy down again, but Buddy would use his strength to hoist Ilja up and toss him across the ring. From there, things sped up.
Buddy would charge into Ilja, but the Russian would manage to evade and then start to pummel Buddy with a barrage of chops to the neck and chest. Matthews would use an elbow to send Ilja reeling, and then unleash a flurry of strikes, finishing with a foot stomp and then a kick to the head. Matthews would roll up Ilja for the first two count of the match. From there, Matthews would try to control things on the mat. Matthews would twist Ilja's head and send knees into his back, cranking him and punishing him before running off the ropes and delivering Penalty Kick to his spine and trying for another pinfall, but just a short two. Matthews sits up Ilja and drops a knee to his spine and then runs off the ropes, trying for a Penalty Kick to his chest, but Ilja drops down and dodges it, and then rolls up Buddy with a tight School Boy, but just a two!
Both men are back on their feet, and Ilja has advanced, grabbing Buddy by the hair and he is chopping him senseless. Ilja runs off the ropes, but Buddy runs quickly behind him and leaps up, catching him with a Bicycle Knee Strike. Ilja is staggered and Buddy runs off the ropes, but Ilja runs and he clobbers the oncoming Australian with a European Uppercut! Ilja then leaps up and plants Buddy with a Senton and goes for a cover, but another two count. Ilja unloads a series of mounted forearms from the side mounted position and then gets up, stomping Matthews repeatedly. Ilja then lifts him up and seems to be looking for a T-Bone Suplex, but Buddy elbows out and then lifts him up with a Gutwrench and hoists him over his shoulder... and then twists and drives him down to the mat with a DDT! Matthews hooks the leg, but Ilja kicks out, and now the Russian rolls and goes out of the ring under the ropes.
Chad Patton tries to step in and stop Buddy, but Matthews shoves him out of the way and follows Ilja to the outside. The senior official begins a 20 count, as they begin to fight on the outside. Ilja grabs Buddy by the head and tries to gauge at his eyes, but Buddy grabs him by the throat and then kicks him low, below the belt! Matthews then grabs Ilja by the head and flings him into the ring steps! Caprice said this is exactly what they were talking about when they said they would do whatever it takes to win! Matthews runs and tries to smash Ilja into steps with a knee strike, but Ilja rolls out of the way and Buddy flips over the steps and lands hard on the floor! Buddy pulls himself up on the guardrail and Ilja runs at him, but Buddy bursts and delivers another Bicycle Knee Strike to stagger him. Buddy then kicks Ilja in the midsection and pulls him in, hoisting him up and slamming him back first onto the apron with a Powerbomb! Kevin Kelly makes the obligatory remark about it being the hardest part of the ring as Ilja sells the suffering on the floor.
Buddy rolls in and rolls back out to restart the 20 count, much to the ire of Chad Patton. Buddy grabs Ilja by the hair as he is on all fours on the floor and yanks him up and then runs with him, flinging him forward into a front flip, smashing him shoulders first into the guardrail with a hell of a crash! Buddy then takes his knee and presses it to the side of Ilja's head and is trying to crush him against the steel barricade, as Kevin Kelly talks about the ruthless aggression that is pouring out of the Aussie as he tries to realize his dream of becoming the Premier Champion. Caprice says these two have become rabid animals, as this is what it's all about, to become the top champion. You never know if you'll get another chance, and you have to leave it all out there to try to achieve the dream! Kevin Kelly says that achieving that dream may cost these two their humanity, but Caprice says that's why some wrestlers never make it to the top, because they don't have what it takes to do anything necessary to hold that title.
Back in the ring, Ilja manages to stun Buddy with a reversal, swinging himself through the ropes and delivering his Constantine Special out of nowhere to swing the momentum! Buddy rolls under the ropes in a daze. Ilja pulls him back to his feet on the apron and pulls him through, planting him with a DDT that hangs him up in the ropes! Buddy is hanging, near lifeless, and Ilja now rolls to the parallel apron. Ilja looks out and yells out to the crowd to hype them up and then springboards, flying through the air and delivers a Front Dropkick to the side of Matthews's head! Ilja hooks the leg and tries for the win, but still just a two count!
Ilja grabs Buddy by the waist and lifts him up, hoisting him into the air and holding him there before bridging and dropping him with a big German Suplex. He holds him down, but Buddy still manages to kick out at two. Buddy gets to all fours and Ilja jumps up to the middle turnbuckle and yells out, "SMASH!" and flies down, crushing the back of Buddy's head with a BRUTAL Forearm Smash! Ilja covers again, but Buddy manages to just barely kick out again. Ilja is having a hard time believing this. He then stomps Buddy and then staggers and points at the top turnbuckle. Ilja scales the top and then takes a moment, looking out at the Long Beach crowd as they are chanting, "ILJA! ILJA! ILJA!" Ilja flies off the top, looking for a Senton Backsplash, but Buddy gets his knees up! Oh, the agony! Buddy rolls up and grabs Ilja and pulls him in. Pumphandle, half nelson... he lifts him up and spins... WHALE HUNT! He plants him with his finisher! It's all over! One, two, thr-NO!
Ilja Dragunov kicks out of the Whale Hunt! Kevin Kelly yells out, MY GOD, IS THIS MAN HUMAN!?
Buddy doesn't waste much time dwelling on it. He instead grabs Ilja and pulls him up and lifts him again, this time with a Powerbomb, and plants him hard and rolls him up. ONE, TWO, THRE-NO! Ilja kicks out again! Buddy rolls him through and grabs him by the wirsts... SMACK! Big Knee Strike! Buddy flops him over and hooks the leg, but Ilja STILL kicks out! Now he's looking a little beside himself, sitting on the canvas, pushing his hair back out of his face and questioning Chad Patton's count.
Matthews gets back up and grabs Ilja by the hair, and he slowly has to pull him up. Ilja shows his fight, sending a chop to the chest of Matthews, but Matthews spins and clocks him in the midsection with a kick. Matthews hooks Ilja in and lifts him for a Suplex or Brainbuster, but Ilja is still in this thing and counters with a knee strike of his own, reversing the move and delivering a T-Bone Suplex! Matthews staggers up and Ilja stumbles over and grabs him into a Sleeper! kevin Kelly yells that we've seen Ilja finish many men with this hold, but Caprice says Matthews has it scouted, and he does! Matthews gets close to the ropes and climbs up them with his feet and pushes off and backwards, sending Ilja backwards onto the mat and breaking himself free! Matthews delivers a Punt Kick to the side of Ilja's head and then stumbles over to the corner. Ilja is twitching and kind of rolling on the mat, sucking in air but still reaching to the skies, trying to pull himself up. Ilja rolls and then gets on all fours. That's what Buddy was waiting for. Buddy rushes in and leaps up, planting Ilja with the Curb Stomp! Buddy then hooks the leg, and Kelly says it's over! Caprice points out he beat John Morrison with this as Patton makes the count, BUT NO! ILJA DRAGUNOV KICKS OUT ONCE MORE!
Buddy Matthews yells out and punches the mat with both fists, screaming NO! He grabs Ilja by the arms quickly and hoists him up, trying for another knee strike, but Ilja manages to break free and grab the leg and take Buddy over with a Dragon Screw! Buddy stumbles up and Ilja catches him with a Leaping Front Kick to the face that staggers him back into the ropes. Buddy then staggers forward and Ilja grabs him into a fireman's carry. Buddy tries to break free, elbowing Ilja to the side of the head, but Ilja runs and jumps, PLOWING Buddy into the turnbuckles with a Death Valley Driver! Both men are down, and the fans are chanting.
"THIS IS AWESOME! *clap, clap, clap clap clap*" THIS IS AWESOME! *clap, clap, clap clap clap*"
Back to their feet, Ilja delivers a leaping Enzuigiri that takes Buddy down to a knee. He then grabs Buddy by the waist, but Buddy tries to fight him off. Ilja then grabs his arms and crosses then, clutching him by the wrists and lifts him up once more, walking and showing him power... JAPANESE OCEAN SUPLEX! Ilja is holding strong, but Buddy still manages to roll his shoulder in just the nick of time to escape defeat. Now it is Ilja who is looking beside himself, as the fans are split between, "LET'S GO ILJA!" and "LET'S GO BUDDY!" chants. Ilja gets back to his feet and measures up Buddy, attempting a Lariat, but Buddy catches the arm and spins Ilja and then shoves him into the buckles chest first. Buddy rushes in and delivers a Double Knee Strike to his back and then throws him from the corner. Matthews heads up top. Ilja is wobbly on his feet, but sees Buddy coming. Matthews leaps off the buckles and Ilja leaps up and catches him with a Dropkick, knocking the Australian out of the sky!
Buddy pulls himself up in the corner and Ilja runs in at him, but Buddy rolls out of the way. Ilja catches himself on the middle turnbuckle with his feet, but Buddy blasts him with a shot to the back and then pulls his head down between his legs, trapping the back of his head against the turnbuckle. Buddy looks for a kick to Ilja's face, but Ilja has this scouted and sends a kick backwards that blows Buddy back. Ilja flies off the ropes and delivers a Spinning Flying Lariat! Buddy rolls on the mat, and Ilja actually kips up and balls up his fists, screaming out and looking like a completely madman! Buddy pulls himself up on the ropes and stumbles, turning, and Ilja is running at him... TORPEDO MOSCOW! ILJA CONNECTS WITH HIS FINISHING HEADBUTT! Ilja pulls at Buddy's knee pad and hooks the leg. It's over now! ONE, TWO, THRE-NO, NO, NO! BUDDY KICKS OUT EMPATHTICALLY, SITTING UP AND YELLING OUT!
The crowd goes crazy, chanting, "FIGHT FOREVER! *clap, clap, clap clap clap* FIGHT FOREVER! *clap, clap, clap clap clap*"
Both men get up and go nose to nose, pressing their foreheads against each other. Buddy yells at Ilja to hit him, and Ilja smiles. Ilja smacks Buddy hard, and Buddy answers back. Ilja smacks Buddy again and Buddy tries to answer with a Spinning Back Elbow, but Ilja ducks it and kicks him straight across the face. Ilja runs off the ropes and tries for another Lariat, but Buddy ducks it. Ilja stops and turns, and Buddy leaps up and connects with another Bicycle Knee Strike. He grabs Ilja and once again pulls him in. Half nelson, pumphandle... he lifts him up, but Ilja slides off of it and he grabs him with a Sleeper! Buddy fights and pulls out of it and counters behind him, grabbing the Russian into a Belly to Back Suplex. Buddy lifts him, but Ilja flips and lands on his feet behind him. Buddy falls backwards and kicks out and tries for an Overhead Kick, but Ilja catches it and counters, locking on an Ankle Lock! Buddy lifts himself and rolls, and sending Ilja flying face first into the buckles and Buddy is up and running... HELLUVA KICK! Buddy runs across the ring and bumps off the buckles and runs back.... HIGH KNEE IN THE CORNER! Ilja drops down now. Buddy grabs his legs and deadlifts him out of the corner, swinging him... LIGER BOMB! He holds him and pins him, but ILJA ROLLS HIS SHOULDER AGAIN! He just won't stay down!
Ilja is on his knees, but his face is pressed against the mat. He really doesn't have anything left, but just lacks the good sense to quit. He just can't seem to do it. But Buddy has had enough and is ready for this to be over. Buddy grabs Ilja by the wrist and yanks him up and tries to knee him again, but Ilja catches the knee and BEGINS TO BITE BUDDY! HE HAS SUNK HIS TEETH INTO MATTHEWS'S THIGH! Buddy delivers multiple elbows to Ilja and then grabs him by the head and knees him directly in the face! Ilja folds back like a lawn chair, but Matthews isn't done. Buddy grabs Ilja by the hair and hoists him up. Matthews clutches his wrist and pulls it between his legs and then lifts Ilja up onto his shoulders... he walks with him for a moment, holding him in the torture rack position with wrist in his right hand and looks to the crowd...
"IT'S OVER!"
WRIST-CLUTCH BURNING HAMMER~!!!
Ilja was just folded onto his head and neck, and he's laying lifeless now on the mat. Buddy sits on his chest and pulls his leg back hard. The crowd and announcer's all count in unison with the thud of Chad Patton's hand on the mat:
ONE, TWO, THREE!
Buddy Matthews is the first ever UPW Premier Champion, but it took everything he had to do it!
Winner by Pinfall, and NEW UPW Premier Champion: Buddy Matthews
(00:28:31)
In the ring after the match, medical staff comes down and checks on both men. Buddy shoves away the doctor and grabs his championship from UPW Minority Owner Freddie Prinze Jr., who is in the ring with general Manager Adam Pearce. They applaud him and congratulate him. Buddy grabs the microphone and yells, "DO YOU SEE ME NOW!? DO YOU BELIEVE IN ME NOW!? THE CHAMP IS FUCKIN' HERE!" Buddy holds up his belt over his head as the fans chant "BUDDY! BUDDY! BUDDY!"
It's just then that a man jumps over the guardrail wearing a hood and slides into the ring lightning fast. Security tries to grab him, but they fail and he tackles Buddy and lays into him with multiple shots to the head! The fans are buzzing and booing, and security is pulling the man off of Matthews, as this frantic scene unfolds! Kevin Kelly is yelling what is happening, and Caprice says they've got a crazed fan or something and to get the trash out of the ring, but the hood comes down and it's "SWITCHBLADE" JAY WHITE!
Security is pulling white from the ring, but then we get a close up shot of a set of Brass Knuckles laying on the mat next to the fallen UPW Premier Championship. Buddy Matthews is laying unconscious with blood covering his forehead now, as the show comes to an end.
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