Post by Joe on Feb 28, 2024 12:35:19 GMT -5
UPW
"Livin' the Dream"
February 25, 2024
The Globe Theater in Reseda, CA
This was a smaller scale, lower budget show to feed into the next big show taking place next month. The main focus here was to get some talent booked, keep some storylines moving along, and also, I just wanted to make these matches. So, here we go!
"Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. TJ Perkins
Perkins is a very smart ring veteran, and he is very well rounded. Perkins knew the key to his success tonight was going to be trying to use his technical wrestling prowess to out maneuver the quick kicking Canadian, but "Speedball" is not an easy man to keep down. Bailey showed he's no slouch on the mat here tonight, and managed to get things back up to the feet, where he could really do some damage. Bailey would use his devastating Flamingo Driver to dispatch Perkins via pinfall. A recent loss to Matt Sydal looked to stall Bailey's momentum, but a win tonight gets him back on the right track.
Winner: "Speedball" Mike Bailey
"Die Hard" Eddie Edwards vs. "The Pitbull" Rocky Romero
Romero was making his UPW debut, but these Southern California fans are very familiar with the man formerly known as "Azucar". There was nothing "sweet" or "sugary" about Romero's approach tonight, as he looked to bring the pain to Edwards. Edwards recently split with partner Davey Richards in a not so amicable fashion, and he was looking to take some of his frustrations out on Romero; a man who is also an ex-partner of Richards. Romero would grind Edwards early after using some cheap tactics to get ahead, but Edwards would fire up and fire back, and land some brutal chops and kicks on Romero to make him pay. Edwards would try to cave in Romero's face with the Boston Knee Party, and that would get him the victory.
Winner: "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards
After the match, Edwards gets on the microphone and says he wants Davey Richards next month, right here in this very ring! He says he doesn't care about winning or losing, one way or another, he wants to hurt Davey Richards!
Low Ki vs. Scorpio Sky
Scorpio Sky came out and got the crowd behind him, as the local Southern California star looked to get a big debut win over the veteran Low Ki. Low Ki wasn't really keen to that idea, and took to trying to obliterate Sky in this contest. Ki would get a little too cocky, though, and found himself nearly beaten by a roll up. Sky would attempt to capitalize, hitting a series of big kicks and impact moves to get a couple more near falls, but Ki wouldn't stay down. Sky decided he needed to get more drastic and headed up top, but Ki made it back to his feet and ran, tumbled, and kicked Sky right in the head with amazing agility to seat him on the top! From there, Ki hooked him in and delivered the death blow, smashing Sky to the mat with a Super Ki Krusher for the three count!
Winner: Low Ki
Brian Kendrick w/ Paul London vs. Frankie Kazarian w/ Christopher Daniels
These two are very familiar with each other, and that made for an interesting contest. Kazarian was cocky and brash throughout, but it didn't get to Kendrick, who is always cool and collected, and just generally seems like nothing can rattle him. Kendrick seemed to have an answer or counter for everything Kazarian was throwing his way, which lead to a lot of frustration from Kaz. Daniels would make his presence known, creating distractions and trying to interfere. Paul London would eventually have enough of this and flew off the top and wiped Daniels out with a Crossbody Block! While the referee was distracted, however, Kazarian would deliver a low blow and then hit Kendrick with the Whiplash (Swinging Reverse Neckbreaker) to get the three count!
Winner: Frankie Kazarian
Chris Sabin w/ Alex Shelley vs. Tyson Kidd w/ Harry Smith
The Motor City Machine Guns got a heroes welcome tonight from the fans here in Reseda, but Canadians didn't seem to mind at all. This was our first look at Harry Smith, who was just coming off a very high profile run in WCW, and he seemed to be relishing the opportunity to get back in front of the crowd and create some havoc. Sabin and Kidd would have a very spirited back and forth contest, but once it looked like Sabin was going to win it, Smith had seen enough and got involved. Smith came in and ripped Sabin off of a pin fall attempt and tossed him out of the ring! The referee sounded the bell! This match is over.
Winner (by DQ): Chris Sabin
Alex Shelley would slide in and fire off some big right hands to Smith, but Kidd would knee him from behind and the larger Smith would toss Shelley over the ropes and to the outside! Sabin would get on the top turnbuckle and fly off with a Crossbody Block, but Smith would catch him and deliver a big Powerslam! Smith is yelling and flexing in the ring, as the crowd can't help but take in the big man in a sort of awe, despite jeering his actions!
Smith then gets on the mic and says he and Kidd are going to own the tag team division! He says tonight, though, he's going to own one of their heroes, as he's coming in to make a big statement right on day one... when he kicks Ilja Dragunov's ass! Smith throws down the mic and he and Kidd exit as the Motor City Machine Guns recover on the outside, looking pretty salty about this situation.
Jay Lethal vs. JD McDonagh
JD McDonagh was very confident coming into this, or at least he wanted everyone to think so. Lethal would offer a handshake to start, but McDonagh slapped it away and grab his crotch, telling Lethal to "Shake this!" before things got going. That seemed to fire up Lethal, who seemed to bring a little extra snap to his moves and strikes, as clearly McDonagh had gotten to him a bit. McDonagh tried to use that little extra to his advantage, though, making Lethal pay for charging in too recklessly to the corner at one point with a big headbutt, and then once again with a Standing Spanish Fly for a two count. McDonagh would make a calculated error, taking too long to go after a downed Lethal before attempting to hit the Devil Inside, but Lethal would reverse it! Lethal counter into a Lethal Combination, and managed to get the three count! McDonagh couldn't believe it!
Winner: Jay Lethal
McDonagh throws a tantrum in the ring, arguing with the referee that he got the shoulder up before the three, but the ref wasn't hearing it. Lethal got on the mic and told McDonagh not to be too salty like Cameron Grimes! He got beat by the best, and there's no shame in it! He said he's got a score to settle with Cameron Grimes next month, and he's going to teach him that lesson again, and if JD isn't careful, he'll do the same to him! JD is yelling up the ramp at Lethal, who has dropped the mic now and is just laughing as he walks backwards and eventually exits.
Harry Smith w/ Tyson Kidd vs. Ilja Dragunov
Smith was getting a lot of boos for his behavior earlier in the night, while Dragunov entered to a heroes welcome. Dragunov has consistently been one of the best and most exciting performers on the UPW roster since day one, and he was ready to welcome Smith to the promotion in a painful way. Smith is very big and powerful, but he also possesses skills in practically every department that make him a very dangerous opponent. Dragunov struggled to deal with the size disparity throughout, but his heart and fight would help him pull through, as he would eventually use his chops, lariats, and kicks to wear down the Canadian star. Dragunov was riding a wave of momentum as he downed Smith and headed to the top rope, but Tyson Kidd would pose a distraction on the apron. Smith would take advantage of this and dive into the ropes, crotching the Russian up top. The Motor City Machine Guns would run down and begin wailing on Tyson Kidd and then toss him into the crowd as the fans cheered them on! Harry Smith was on the middle turnbuckle and became distracted by the disturbance on the outside, leading Dragunov to deliver a headbutt and a MASSIVE open hand strike to the face to send the son of the British Bulldog down to the mat, hard! Dragunov would get on the top and fly off, delivering a Senton Backsplash, and that would do it! Dragunov gets the three count!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Dragunov would celebrate, as Shelley and Sabin got into the ring and mocked Harry Smith before leaving.
NON-TITLE MATCH
"The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels w/ Frankie Kazarian vs. Kyle O'Reilly
UPW Undisputed Champion Kyle O'Reilly was in the house, but of course, he had no title with him because of the Undisputed Era, more specifically Adam Cole, stealing it months ago. So, this was a non-title contest, but this could be a big win for Daniels that would earn him an outright title shot in the future. Daniels and O'Reilly would put on a great technical display early, but Daniels was feeling the pressure after a few submission attempts from O'Reilly and decided he needed to take a break on the outside. Daniels and Kazarian would have a pow wow on the outside, but O'Reilly had seen enough and went flying off the apron and dove into them with a Knee Strike to get the crowd going! Daniels would manage to deliver a low blow on the outside afterward, and then sent O'Reilly hard into the ring steps, and things weren't looking good for the Undisputed Champion after that. Daniels continued his assault and locked him up in a Koji Clutch back in the ring, but O'Reilly managed to get the rope break. Daniels would attempt to hit the Angels Wings, but O'Reilly blocked it and reversed it into a Cross Armbar, which Kazarian would reach in and pull Daniels' boot to the ropes to get the break! The referee would get on Kazarian about this, leading Frankie to get on the apron and argue! Daniels would reach into his tights and pull out a bag of white powder! With the referee distracted by Kazarian, Daniels would try to blast O'Reilly with the powder, but O'Reilly ducked and the powder exploded in Kazarian's face, sending him leaping off the apron and screaming in pain as the fans cheered and mocked him! Daniels was stunned by this, leaving him open for O'Reilly to snatch him up from behind and deliver the Regal Plex, bridging for the three count!
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly
After the match, O'Reilly grabs the microphone and says he wants a piece of all of the Undisputed Era next month! He says he knows a few other guys who'd like to get their hands on them as well, so he says bring their asses and bring his God damn belt!
"Livin' the Dream"
February 25, 2024
The Globe Theater in Reseda, CA
This was a smaller scale, lower budget show to feed into the next big show taking place next month. The main focus here was to get some talent booked, keep some storylines moving along, and also, I just wanted to make these matches. So, here we go!
"Speedball" Mike Bailey vs. TJ Perkins
Perkins is a very smart ring veteran, and he is very well rounded. Perkins knew the key to his success tonight was going to be trying to use his technical wrestling prowess to out maneuver the quick kicking Canadian, but "Speedball" is not an easy man to keep down. Bailey showed he's no slouch on the mat here tonight, and managed to get things back up to the feet, where he could really do some damage. Bailey would use his devastating Flamingo Driver to dispatch Perkins via pinfall. A recent loss to Matt Sydal looked to stall Bailey's momentum, but a win tonight gets him back on the right track.
Winner: "Speedball" Mike Bailey
"Die Hard" Eddie Edwards vs. "The Pitbull" Rocky Romero
Romero was making his UPW debut, but these Southern California fans are very familiar with the man formerly known as "Azucar". There was nothing "sweet" or "sugary" about Romero's approach tonight, as he looked to bring the pain to Edwards. Edwards recently split with partner Davey Richards in a not so amicable fashion, and he was looking to take some of his frustrations out on Romero; a man who is also an ex-partner of Richards. Romero would grind Edwards early after using some cheap tactics to get ahead, but Edwards would fire up and fire back, and land some brutal chops and kicks on Romero to make him pay. Edwards would try to cave in Romero's face with the Boston Knee Party, and that would get him the victory.
Winner: "Die Hard" Eddie Edwards
After the match, Edwards gets on the microphone and says he wants Davey Richards next month, right here in this very ring! He says he doesn't care about winning or losing, one way or another, he wants to hurt Davey Richards!
Low Ki vs. Scorpio Sky
Scorpio Sky came out and got the crowd behind him, as the local Southern California star looked to get a big debut win over the veteran Low Ki. Low Ki wasn't really keen to that idea, and took to trying to obliterate Sky in this contest. Ki would get a little too cocky, though, and found himself nearly beaten by a roll up. Sky would attempt to capitalize, hitting a series of big kicks and impact moves to get a couple more near falls, but Ki wouldn't stay down. Sky decided he needed to get more drastic and headed up top, but Ki made it back to his feet and ran, tumbled, and kicked Sky right in the head with amazing agility to seat him on the top! From there, Ki hooked him in and delivered the death blow, smashing Sky to the mat with a Super Ki Krusher for the three count!
Winner: Low Ki
Brian Kendrick w/ Paul London vs. Frankie Kazarian w/ Christopher Daniels
These two are very familiar with each other, and that made for an interesting contest. Kazarian was cocky and brash throughout, but it didn't get to Kendrick, who is always cool and collected, and just generally seems like nothing can rattle him. Kendrick seemed to have an answer or counter for everything Kazarian was throwing his way, which lead to a lot of frustration from Kaz. Daniels would make his presence known, creating distractions and trying to interfere. Paul London would eventually have enough of this and flew off the top and wiped Daniels out with a Crossbody Block! While the referee was distracted, however, Kazarian would deliver a low blow and then hit Kendrick with the Whiplash (Swinging Reverse Neckbreaker) to get the three count!
Winner: Frankie Kazarian
Chris Sabin w/ Alex Shelley vs. Tyson Kidd w/ Harry Smith
The Motor City Machine Guns got a heroes welcome tonight from the fans here in Reseda, but Canadians didn't seem to mind at all. This was our first look at Harry Smith, who was just coming off a very high profile run in WCW, and he seemed to be relishing the opportunity to get back in front of the crowd and create some havoc. Sabin and Kidd would have a very spirited back and forth contest, but once it looked like Sabin was going to win it, Smith had seen enough and got involved. Smith came in and ripped Sabin off of a pin fall attempt and tossed him out of the ring! The referee sounded the bell! This match is over.
Winner (by DQ): Chris Sabin
Alex Shelley would slide in and fire off some big right hands to Smith, but Kidd would knee him from behind and the larger Smith would toss Shelley over the ropes and to the outside! Sabin would get on the top turnbuckle and fly off with a Crossbody Block, but Smith would catch him and deliver a big Powerslam! Smith is yelling and flexing in the ring, as the crowd can't help but take in the big man in a sort of awe, despite jeering his actions!
Smith then gets on the mic and says he and Kidd are going to own the tag team division! He says tonight, though, he's going to own one of their heroes, as he's coming in to make a big statement right on day one... when he kicks Ilja Dragunov's ass! Smith throws down the mic and he and Kidd exit as the Motor City Machine Guns recover on the outside, looking pretty salty about this situation.
Jay Lethal vs. JD McDonagh
JD McDonagh was very confident coming into this, or at least he wanted everyone to think so. Lethal would offer a handshake to start, but McDonagh slapped it away and grab his crotch, telling Lethal to "Shake this!" before things got going. That seemed to fire up Lethal, who seemed to bring a little extra snap to his moves and strikes, as clearly McDonagh had gotten to him a bit. McDonagh tried to use that little extra to his advantage, though, making Lethal pay for charging in too recklessly to the corner at one point with a big headbutt, and then once again with a Standing Spanish Fly for a two count. McDonagh would make a calculated error, taking too long to go after a downed Lethal before attempting to hit the Devil Inside, but Lethal would reverse it! Lethal counter into a Lethal Combination, and managed to get the three count! McDonagh couldn't believe it!
Winner: Jay Lethal
McDonagh throws a tantrum in the ring, arguing with the referee that he got the shoulder up before the three, but the ref wasn't hearing it. Lethal got on the mic and told McDonagh not to be too salty like Cameron Grimes! He got beat by the best, and there's no shame in it! He said he's got a score to settle with Cameron Grimes next month, and he's going to teach him that lesson again, and if JD isn't careful, he'll do the same to him! JD is yelling up the ramp at Lethal, who has dropped the mic now and is just laughing as he walks backwards and eventually exits.
Harry Smith w/ Tyson Kidd vs. Ilja Dragunov
Smith was getting a lot of boos for his behavior earlier in the night, while Dragunov entered to a heroes welcome. Dragunov has consistently been one of the best and most exciting performers on the UPW roster since day one, and he was ready to welcome Smith to the promotion in a painful way. Smith is very big and powerful, but he also possesses skills in practically every department that make him a very dangerous opponent. Dragunov struggled to deal with the size disparity throughout, but his heart and fight would help him pull through, as he would eventually use his chops, lariats, and kicks to wear down the Canadian star. Dragunov was riding a wave of momentum as he downed Smith and headed to the top rope, but Tyson Kidd would pose a distraction on the apron. Smith would take advantage of this and dive into the ropes, crotching the Russian up top. The Motor City Machine Guns would run down and begin wailing on Tyson Kidd and then toss him into the crowd as the fans cheered them on! Harry Smith was on the middle turnbuckle and became distracted by the disturbance on the outside, leading Dragunov to deliver a headbutt and a MASSIVE open hand strike to the face to send the son of the British Bulldog down to the mat, hard! Dragunov would get on the top and fly off, delivering a Senton Backsplash, and that would do it! Dragunov gets the three count!
Winner: Ilja Dragunov
Dragunov would celebrate, as Shelley and Sabin got into the ring and mocked Harry Smith before leaving.
NON-TITLE MATCH
"The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels w/ Frankie Kazarian vs. Kyle O'Reilly
UPW Undisputed Champion Kyle O'Reilly was in the house, but of course, he had no title with him because of the Undisputed Era, more specifically Adam Cole, stealing it months ago. So, this was a non-title contest, but this could be a big win for Daniels that would earn him an outright title shot in the future. Daniels and O'Reilly would put on a great technical display early, but Daniels was feeling the pressure after a few submission attempts from O'Reilly and decided he needed to take a break on the outside. Daniels and Kazarian would have a pow wow on the outside, but O'Reilly had seen enough and went flying off the apron and dove into them with a Knee Strike to get the crowd going! Daniels would manage to deliver a low blow on the outside afterward, and then sent O'Reilly hard into the ring steps, and things weren't looking good for the Undisputed Champion after that. Daniels continued his assault and locked him up in a Koji Clutch back in the ring, but O'Reilly managed to get the rope break. Daniels would attempt to hit the Angels Wings, but O'Reilly blocked it and reversed it into a Cross Armbar, which Kazarian would reach in and pull Daniels' boot to the ropes to get the break! The referee would get on Kazarian about this, leading Frankie to get on the apron and argue! Daniels would reach into his tights and pull out a bag of white powder! With the referee distracted by Kazarian, Daniels would try to blast O'Reilly with the powder, but O'Reilly ducked and the powder exploded in Kazarian's face, sending him leaping off the apron and screaming in pain as the fans cheered and mocked him! Daniels was stunned by this, leaving him open for O'Reilly to snatch him up from behind and deliver the Regal Plex, bridging for the three count!
Winner: Kyle O'Reilly
After the match, O'Reilly grabs the microphone and says he wants a piece of all of the Undisputed Era next month! He says he knows a few other guys who'd like to get their hands on them as well, so he says bring their asses and bring his God damn belt!