Post by Joe on May 17, 2023 22:03:31 GMT -5
ULTIMATE PRO WRESTLING
"OVERDRIVE"
Friday, May 19th, 2023
SCS Studio, Los Angeles, CA
Recorded and edited for reproduction on FITE TV
We are at the SCS Studio in Los Angeles for the initial episode of "Overdrive"!
We are joined on commentary by Kevin Kelly and Caprice Coleman. This is a studio set up show with a smaller crowd. They introduce interviewer Blake Howard, who is standing at an interviewing stage with a "UPW" logo backdrop. Blake says tonight he has interviews lined up with Drew Gulak, Ron Killings, Jordan Myles, Ilja Dragunov, and Jay White, so you won't want to miss it!
We go back to Kevin and Caprice. Kevin says that tonight we will have the semi-final round of the Tag Team title tournament take place, along with five matches that will earn the winners a chance to compete at "Championship Spectacle" on June 10th at the Kia Forum!
And with that, we head to Mike Rome in the ring, who's ready to introduce our first competitors of the evening!
MATCH ONE
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, 10 Minute Time Limit
Akira Tozawa vs. Kalisto
Referee: Chris Sharpe
These two set the night off right with a high speed Cruiserweight encounter. This got a little sloppy in spots, but never completely derailed. Kalisto was able to withstand the high impact offense of Tozawa, getting his knees to block a Senton Backsplash off the top and then deliver a Standing Shiranui to get the pinfall.
Winner by Pinfall: Kalisto
(00:07:40)
We go to the ringside stage set up, as Blake Howard introduces "Switchblade" Jay White! Out comes the New Zealander, but he is accompanied by David Finlay and Juice Robinson, whom Caprice notes will be in tag team action tonight in the Tag Title tournament semi-finals! Blake says that Jay was able to get an impressive win over Cameron Grimes at "Gold Rush" but didn't understand why it was necessary to attack him after the bell. White said that from here on out, you'll recognize the three men in front of you as The Blood Brothers, and make no mistake about it, they are out for blood! Winning is one thing, but sending a message is maybe more important in the end. The Blood Brothers run UPW, and everybody had better respect that or get cut down!
David Finlay then begins to speak, saying tonight, they are going to send another message as they brutalize Ridge Holland and Tyler Bate on the way to a championship match at "Championship Spectacle"! Juice then yells that ALL OF THE GOLD ARE COMING WITH THE BLOOD BROTHERS ON JUNE 10TH! The blood and the glory will be there's, and there ain't nobody gonna stop it!
Jay White also says that they are looking forward to seeing their comrades, fellow Bullet Club alumni AJ Styles and the Good Brothers, as it could be one Hell of a championship celebration, and Juice says that would be JUST. TOO. SWEET!
And with that, we head to an advertising break and then back to the ring for our next contest.
MATCH TWO
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, 10 Minute Time Limit
Josh Alexander vs. Josh Woods
Referee: Dan Engler
We got a Heavyweight battle next, and this was a good one! These two are very similar, and they wasted no time storm the middling of the ring and getting busy with the grappling. With the 10 minute time limit in effect, there was a great sense of urgency, as these guys didn't want to waste much time on feeling out. The less experienced Woods would attempt the first big suplex of the match, but Alexander would manage to block and deliver a Gutwrench Powerbomb for a two count. Woods would manage to gain momentum in a big way later, catching Alexander with an Overhead Belly-to-Belly Suplex into the turnbuckles for a two. Josh Woods would attempt to end the match with a Kneebar, but Alexander would break free and lock on his Ankle Lock. Woods would show his craftiness to break free, but would get caught with a Spinning Tombstone Piledriver to put him down for the three.
Winner by Pinfall: Josh Alexander
(00:06:11)
We go to the interviewing studio section once again, as Blake Howard is standing in with Drew Gulak. Gulak thanks everyone in attendance for their continued support, as he knows he is a great inspiration to all and that they love him dearly. He is getting boos from the studio crowd here, but just smiles confidently. Blake Howard says that Gulak will be facing Jordan Myles at "Championship Spectacle" on June 10th in the semi-finals of the Cruiserweight title tournament, and asks how he plans to deal with his speed and heart. Drew just kind of chuckles and says that Jordan Myles is poorly bred and undertrained, and dealing with him will be like dealing with all of the other freeloaders in America that are bankrupting the system: he's going to show him that those who work hard and are born better will simply always rise to the top.
This brings out Jordan Myles, who has heard enough! Myles storms the stage, and Blake Howard says he wasn't planning on speaking with Myles until later. Myles comes right up and shoves Gulak, and Gulak yells, "This is what I'm talking about, Blake! He's completely uncivilized!" Gulak backs away and gets behind Howard, looking concerned as the fans cheer and chant for Myles.
Myles says that he's been hearing this crap his whole life about how he's not good enough and he didn't go to the right schools and didn't have the right background to make it to the top, but GUESS WHAT!?
"WHAT!?" says the crowd, appropriately for once.
On June 10th, if Drew Gulak wants a SAVAGE, he's goin' to get one, and there's nobody going to save him, because Jordan Myles is walking out of the Kia Forum with that gold belt around his waist and a smile on his face! Deal with it!
Myles threatens to punch Drew over Blake's shoulder, making Drew flinch and scurry a bit, and Myles laughs and struts away, going down and slapping a few of the fans' hands before heading to the back.
We take a break and then it's back to the action in the ring.
MATCH THREE
UPW TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT
TAG TEAM RULES
One Fall, 20 Minute Time Limit
Matt Sydal & Paul London vs. Nash Carter & TJ Perkins
Referee: Adrian Butler
Caprice would take to calling the team of Sydal and London "The Shooting Stars", and it seemed appropriate given each man's choice of finisher. The crafty young veteran Perkins told Caprice before the show that he'd been scouting Carter and saw a lot of potential in the young man, and we could certainly see that on display tonight. Both teams were impressive, as this was a very good spot oriented contest. It was fast and exciting, and in the end, it was the Shooting Star Press that would end things, as London would deliver a Running SSP to Carter, followed by Sydal flying off the top onto the young man. London would then run and tackle Perkins off the apron as Sydal would hook the leg to secure the three count. The Shooting Stars advance to the tournament finals at "Championship Spectacle"!
Winners by Pinfall: Matt Sydal & Paul London
(00:08:14)
Next out to the studio with Blake Howard was the always popular Ron "The Truth" Killings! R-Truth had the fans dancing and yelling "WHAT'S UP!!!" Lots of fun there. Blake asked Truth how it feels to be heading into "Championship Spectacle" on June 10th with title dreams in tact. Ron said that June 10th at the Kia Forum may be the greatest night of his damn life (besides the marriage and the kids and all that...) because he's got a fire under him and he's ready for battle, and he's ready to bring that belt home, baby! Blake says that he spoke with his opponent, Jay White, earlier in the evening, and he seems pretty confident he's going to be celebrating with the gold come the end of the night. Ron ponders and looks confused.
"Oh, he said that? Oh, shit, I didn't know. Oh, you mean to tell me, if I win the match, that kind of... rains on his parade? Is that what you're saying, B?"
Blake says yes, in so many words, that's what he's saying.
"Well, I know it damn well don't rain that much here in SoCal, but one June 10th, 'Switchblade's' ass better be ready for a flood, cause 'The Truth' has come to set it off at 'Championship Spectacle'! They might be calling themselves 'The Blood Brothers', but THIS BROTHER'S walkin' out with the belt on the 10th! Tune in and get educated on FITE TV!"
Another break, and then we are back in the ring for our next contest.
MATCH FOUR
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, 10 Minute Time Limit
Asher Hale vs. "Speedball" Mike Bailey
Referee: Chris Sharpe
We were all set for Cruiserweight action here, as this match would determine who was going on to face Kalisto at "Championship Spectacle". Asher Hale is a vicious competitor, who brings an MMA flavor to his offense and that mixed well with the fast and dynamic karate hybrid attack of "Speedball". Hale would try to ground and slow down Bailey, but Bailey refused to quit. The fans would get behind him as he hit back and forth Kick Flurry followed by an enzuigiri, and then a high speed roundhouse kick to rock Hale . Hale would catch Bailey with a Capture Suplex to regain his momentum. Hale would attempt a Fireman's Carry, but Bailey would break free and deliver an Inverted Huracanrana, followed by a Standing Backflip Double Kneedrop for a two count. Hale would use a low blow, causing the fans to boo, and then lifted Bailey into a Brainbuster for a two count. Hale would attempt to lock on a Texas Cloverleaf, but "Speedball" would roll him up into a Small Package for a two count! Back up, Bailey would deliver a Double Corkscrew Roundhouse Kick in the corner, followed by a move he calls the Flamingo Driver (Cross Legged One Winged Angel, if you can imagine...) for a three count! The fans are loving it, as Caprice says we have a star on our hands here!
Winner by Pinfall: Mike Bailey
(00:08:45)
We go over to the studio once more, as Blake Howard is standing in with Russian sensation "Invincible" Ilja Dragunov! Blake says that Ilja had an amazing match with Timothy Thatcher at "Gold Rush", but wonders if he will be feeling 100% going into the next round against Rush? Ilja says he's fought many hard battles and he's never backed down. He says nobody is ever 100% when they get into the ring, and that he will-
And that's as far as he gets, as out walks Tony Nese! Blake asks what Tony is doing out here, and Tony says he is saving everybody from hearing another minute of that crap! He says that HE is the one who should be getting the interview, as HE is the "Premier Athlete" in UPW, and HE is in the next match! He says it doesn't matter what Ilja Dragalong or any of these other Heavyweights do, because sooner or later, they are going to get matched up with Tony Nese and they are going to find out that they are no match at all for "Professional Wrestling's Perfect Specimen"!
Ilja says that he would have no problem testing that out right now, but Tony backs off and puts his hands up, saying he has a match or he'd gladly prove it right here, right now...
And then suddenly out comes Oney Lorcan! He grabs Tony from behind and spins him, unloading a fist right to his skull and Tony stumbles over towards the ring! Out runs referee Dan Engler and Kevin Kelly yells we are going to get right into this match after a quick word from our sponsors!
MATCH FIVE
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, 10 Minute Time Limit
Oney Lorcan vs. "Premier Athlete" Tony Nese
Referee: Dan Engler
We join this Heavyweight match in progress as Lorcan is pounding Nese in the corner, only to have Nese use a thumb to the eye to break things up. Engler warns Nese about this, as another infraction may cost Nese a chance to face Josh Alexander at "Championship Spectacle"; Caprice says that might be doing Nese a favor, given just how dominant Alexander looked earlier tonight. Nese would tie Lorcan up in the Tree of Woe in the corner and began doing crunches on the mat and planting bicycle kicks repeatedly into Lorcan's face and chest! Engler manages to break this up, but Lorcan is hurting after that. Nese delivers a Dropkick and goes for a cover, but just a two count. Nese does some push ups, taunting the fans and Lorcan and tells him to bring it. Nese grabs Lorcan from behind and attempts a German Suplex, but Lorcan blocks and reverses it. Nese runs forward and hooks the ropes, sending Lorcan backwards, but Lorcan springs back to his feet and delivers a Lariat that sends Nese over the ropes and to the floor! Lorcan waits a moment and catches his breath before running again and delivering a Front Flip Suicida over the ropes and to the floor, crushing Nese as the fans cheer him on! Lorcan picks up Nese and hooks him in a front facelock. Lorcan works the crowd, asking if they want it and they say, "YEAH!" so he delivers a Vertical Suplex to Nese on the floor, and Caprice notes just how bad that one hurt. Back in the ring, Lorcan tries for a Half Nelson Suplex, but Nese stomps on his foot and then hit a Backwards Enzuigiri to knock Lorcan for a loop. Lorcan composes himself in the corner, but Nese runs and delivers a Double Knee Strike that smashes him, sending him into a sitting position. Nese runs again, and this time delivers the Running Kneese to the face, and it's all over. He hooks the leg and gets the three count.
Winner by Pinfall: Tony Nese
(00:07:03)
Kevin Kelly says love him or hate him, Nese looked like a star tonight. Caprice said that he has all of the tools to go far, and he's going to need every one of those tools to take down Josh Alexander at "Championship Spectacle".
MATCH SIX
UPW TAG TEAM TITLE TOURNAMENT
TAG TEAM RULES
One Fall, 20 Minute Time Limit
British Brutes: Ridge Holland & Tyler Bate vs. The Blood Brothers: David Finlay & Juice Robinson
Referee: Chad Patton
This match was determine who would be facing The Shooting Stars in the tournament final at "Championship Spectacle", and both teams looked very good. It seemed to be a foregone conclusion that The Blood Brothers would win from the start, though it sure didn't seem like it once the bell rang. Holland and Bate were very game and very aggressive. Holland is one of the biggest, if not the biggest, guys on the roster, and his power was felt here. Finlay and Robinson had to use underhanded tactics and would need to go to the outside multiple times to slow the momentum of the Brits and get the ball in their court. Juice would manage to distract Chad Patton long enough for David Finlay to get out his Dad's old shillelagh and crack Bate over the head with it, busting him open in the process. David would tag out to Juice and then go and cut off Ridge as Juice rushes in and covers Bate, still knocked unconscious, for the three count.
Winners by Pinfall: David Finlay & Juice Robinson
(00:11:17)
Kevin Kelly says that was a terrible way to win, as the fans boo the crap out of The Blood Brothers. Jay White enters the ring and celebrates with his partners, as Caprice says that the result is all that matters here. He says The Blood Brothers have all made it to the next rounds of their respective tournaments, and now it's a question of if anybody in UPW can stop them from going all the way.
Be sure to tune in and find out at "Championship Spectacle" on June 10th, only on FITE!
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