Post by Joe on May 27, 2023 22:53:56 GMT -5
ULTIMATE PRO WRESTLING
"THE FUTURE IS NOW"
Saturday, May 27th, 2023
Globe Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Live on FITE TV
We are at the Globe Theater in Los Angeles for the inaugural UPW event, "The Future is Now"!
We get a video package to the sound of "Go Hard" by Lil Baby.
We are joined on commentary by Kevin Kelly and Caprice Coleman. Kevin Kelly introduces a graphic showing a tournament bracket, as tonight will feature the first round of the tournament to crown the UPW Premier Champion.
And with that, we head to Mike Rome in the ring, who's ready to introduce our first competitors of the evening!
MATCH ONE
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Chris Dijak vs. Kassius Ohno
Referee: Chris Sharpe
These two are big and agile, and put on a heck of an opener for this hot crowd here at the Globe Theater. Ohno would try to land a finishing elbow that would keep Dijak down, but Dijak just would not quit. Dijak would manage to deliver the Feast Your Eyes to incapacitate Ohno to keep him down for the three count and advance in the tournament. Caprice comments that the size and ability of Dijak makes him maybe the favorite to win this whole tournament!
Winner by Pinfall: Chris Dijak
(00:12:22)
MATCH TWO
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Oney Lorcan vs. Sami Callihan
Referee: Adrian Butler
Sami Callihan was wild and vicious in this match, but Oney Lorcan is tough as nails. Lorcan would take all of Callihan's best shots, but kept firing back and eventually would catch an oncoming lariat and roll Callihan up with a Backslide to get the pinfall! Callihan is livid after the match, but Lorcan gets out before he can be attacked.
Winner by Pinfall: Oney Lorcan
(00:07:45)
MATCH THREE
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Apollo Crews vs. Eddy Thorpe
Referee: Dan Engler
Eddy Thorpe is a hard hitting Native American star with a lot of charisma, but he was up against the very talented Nigerian American Apollo Crews, who is not one to ever take lightly. Thorpe would land some big blows throughout, such as a Spinebuster and a Saito Suplex, but could not keep Crews down for the three. Thorpe would do a rain dance and attempt a big elbow drop, but Crews would get out of the way; Apollo follows up by showing his impressive strength, hoisting Thorpe over his head with a Military Press Drop, and then shows off his agility by hitting a Standing Shooting Star Press to get the three count! Kevin Kelly says that Crews looks like the total package, and Caprice has to agree and says that Crews might now be the favorite; everybody is just so good, he has no idea who's going to win this tournament!
Winner by Pinfall: Apollo Crews
(00:08:13)
MATCH FOUR
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Ilja Dragunov vs. Timothy Thatcher
Referee: Chad Patton
These two really beat the crap out of each other in what was a brutal contest. Thatcher seemed to be out to hurt Dragunov, and attacked his arm relentlessly throughout. Dragunov earned his nickname "Invincible", though, and fought through the pain, landing chops and lariats despite the agony inflicted on his arm. Dragunov would attempt his Torpedo Moscow headbutt, but Thatcher would catch him with a European uppercut in mid-air to counter it! Thatcher would try for the Fujiwara Armbar to finish things, but The Russian superstar would manage to get to the ropes. Thatcher would then pull him up and try for a Sleeper, but Dragunov would reverse it. Dragunov would try for a German Suplex, but Thatcher would grab his left thumb and then bite it to counter! Thatcher would then grab Dragunov for a Belly to Back Suplex, but Dragunov would flip over it and slingshot off the ropes and deliver a Discus Lariat! From there, Dragunov would come off the middle turnbuckle and land the Torpedo Moscow, and it was all over! Dragunov gets the pinfall victory! Caprice says that Dragunov might not be the biggest guy in this tournament, but he just might have the biggest fight in him, and he has a wide repertoire of counters that will make you pay if you're not careful. Kevin Kelly says there's a reason why he has found championship success everywhere he has been, and UPW may be no different.
Winner by Pinfall: Ilja Dragunov
(00:16:32)
MATCH FIVE
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Bronson Reed vs. Cameron Grimes
Referee: Adrian Butler
Cameron Grimes would have the crowd behind him, but he was facing a very tall order in the Australian bruiser known as Bronson Reed. Grimes would hit Reed with everything he had, but Reed would eat it and answer back with big blows of his own, absolutely crushing Grimes at times with the impact of his kicks and the power behind his big slams. Reed manage to counter Grimes's attempt at hitting the Cave In with a Powerbomb, and then followed it up with a Big Splash off the top rope to get the three count. Caprice notes that Grimes is a hell of a fighter, but he couldn't seem to find the answer to the big problem that is Bronson Reed tonight. Kevin wonders if that problem will be able to be solved by anybody in this tournament.
Winner by Pinfall: Bronson Reed
(00:08:15)
MATCH SIX
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Mustafa Ali vs. Santos Escobar
Referee: Chris Sharpe
Escobar and Ali are both exciting in the ring, but Ali had the speed advantage here and the fans behind tonight, so Escobar decided to try to slow things down early. Escobar would punish Ali on the mat, working over his neck and head while playing to the crowd and getting them riled up. Ali would fight back and deliver a springboard moonsault to the outside to really swing the momentum back in his favor. Escobar would get things going his way once again with a Tilt to Whirl Backbreaker, followed by a Double High Knee in the corner. Ali would manage to get his knees up to counter an oncoming Frog Splash from the Mexican star, followed by a Small Package roll up, but Escobar would kick out at two! Escobar would catch Ali with a leaping single leg dropkick, and then followed up by attempting to deliver the Phantom Driver, but Ali reversed it into a Stunner, followed by his Imploding 450 Splash to get the three count to advance in the tournament.
Winner by Pinfall: Mustafa Ali
(00:10:27)
MATCH SEVEN
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
"Switchblade" Jay White vs. Ron "The Truth" Killings
Referee: Dan Engler
Ron Killings was looking to get a big win here, as he is later in his career now and is trying to make one more run at championship gold. Jay White isn't even 30 yet and has made a name for himself around the world for being one of the best all around wrestlers on the planet, and he wanted to send a message loud and clear to everyone in UPW that he is at the top of the promotion. Killings and White really put on a show here, as Killings was able to show he still has it, delivering dives and flying, spinning kicks and rolling moves, and was just flat out impressive tonight. The fans were chanting for him the whole time, pulling for him to get that win. White would deliver everything he could to try to keep him down, from Twisting Suplexes, to blistering him with brutal chops, to even hitting a Sleeper Suplex, but "The Truth" would keep finding a way to get his shoulder up. Furthermore, White would try on multiple occasions to deliver the Blade Runner, but Killings kept managing to escape that. Killings would hit a Scissor Kick and get a two count near the end, and would look to the fans and begin to clap, getting them behind him. "The Truth" woud head up top, desperate for something to work, but Jay White would manage to get to his feet and nail a Running European Uppercut to stagger him. White would go up top and grab Killings, and take him down from the top with an Avalanche Rock Bottom, but Killings STILL managed to kick out. White would lift him up and call for the end, and then finally hit the Blade Runner, and it was all over. Jay White won the match, but Ron Killings won the hearts of the UPW fans here tonight.
Winner by Pinfall: Jay White
(00:17:02)
After the match, Jay White would mock Ron Killings and the fans for actually believing he could win. Jay White got on the microphone and said he's proven every single fucking time he's gotten into the ring that he's the best, wherever he goes, but still the people still think a guy like Ron Killings can take him out... NOBODY CAN TAKE OUT JAY WHITE! GET THROUGH YOUR THICK FUCKING SKULLS! Jay White is here to cut down every man in his way, and don't take his word for it, look at his resume... that's right, read it and weep, Jay White is better than everybody here, better than your favorite wrestlers anywhere, and it cannot be denied. And once he walks away with the Premier championship, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake, maybe then everybody will get the picture, but be warned... it's not going to be pretty.
MATCH EIGHT
UPW PREMIER TITLE TOURNAMENT
SINGLES RULES
One Fall, No Time Limit
Buddy Matthews vs. Ricochet
Referee: Chad Patton
Buddy Matthews has a very intimidating presence coming into this, as he is jacked and intense, and he is just oozing with confidence. He is bantering with the fans and Ricochet, who is the favorite here, and shoves Ricochet by his face back in the buckles to get things started. Buddy opens up with an intense barrage early that hurts Ricochet, taking him down with a massive Gutwrench Powerbomb for a short two count. Ricochet is able to reverse a corner whip with a backflip and then catches Buddy with a Springboard Enzuigiri to send him out of the ring to swing the momentum. Ricochet takes the sky and wipes Buddy out on the floor with a Flipping Suicida and the fans are chanting for Ricochet in a big way. Ricochet attempts to a Huracanrana off the apron onto Buddy, but Buddy blocks it and Powerbombs him on the apron! Buddy then puts a finger to his lips, telling the fans to quiet down, and then tries to shatter Ricochet's spine with a Running Penalty Kick that sends a sickening thud echoing throughout the Globe Theater! Buddy proceeds to lift Ricochet over his head and drop him throat first over the guardrail, and then hits a Running Kick to his face to smash him against the steel! Back in the ring, the Australian flies off the top and delivers a Meteora to Ricochet, attempting to put him down, but Ricochet still kicks out at two! Buddy lifts Ricochet into a Canadian Backrack and tries for a Spinning DDT, but Ricochet spins it into a Small Package counter for a two count! Ricochet opens up with strikes now, rocking Matthews with big kicks and punches before delivering a Springboard Corkscrew Tornado DDT off the middle rope for a two count! Ricochet picks up Matthews onto his shoulders and tries for the Recoil, but Buddy counters it mid-move, landing on his feet and delivering a series of strikes, followed by a foot stomp and then a Bicycle Knee Strike, leading to a two count. Buddy lifts Ricochet and attempts to hit Murphy's Law, but Ricochet lands on his feet behind him and shoves him into the turnbuckles. Ricochet runs and leaps onto the middle turnbuckle and flies off, corkscrewing and goes for a Huracanrana, but Matthews reverses and this time Powerbombs Ricochet into the turnbuckles! Buddy comes off the ropes and hits a Curb Stomp and goes for the cover, but Ricochet somehow kicks out at two! Buddy lifts him up and tries for Murphy's Law again, but Ricochet breaks free again and hits an Overhead Kick, followed by a kip up and then a Codebreaker! Ricochet goes up top and flies off with a 630 Senton, but Buddy moves out of the way! Matthews grabs Ricochet and pulls him in and tries for another Powerbomb, but Ricochet somehow manages to coutner it into a Sunset Flip, but Buddy rolls through it and is back on his feet; Matthews tries for a Knee Strike, but Ricochet ducks it and rolls to all fours, but Buddy delivers another Curb Stomp! He picks up Ricochet, who's all but limp, and hoists him up... MURPHY'S LAW! Matthews got all of that one, and he hooks the leg! One, two, three, Buddy Matthews advances!
Winner by Pinfall: Buddy Matthews
(00:16:44)
Buddy Matthews takes the microphone and says it's time to put some respect on his name! He said he heard Jay White whining about being underestimated, but he doesn't know what the hell he's talking about! Buddy says time and time again, he's shown up somewhere, been promised things, and he's tried to be nice, he's tried to play by the rules, but then he always gets shown the door. Well fuck the door, and fuck the rules, because he's breaking all of them down! He says he will not be ignored any longer, he will not be kept a secret, he will not be told what he can and cannot do, because Buddy Matthews is a killer, and everybody just saw it here tonight! He says Ricochet is one of the best in the world, bar none, and he just made him his bitch in front of God and everybody in the globe theater, and he will not stop until he runs through absolutely everybody until he gets his bloody title and his bloody respect, because he's the Juggernaut, bitch!
Buddy throws down the microphone and that's all the time we have. The next round will be held next month, stay tuned for more details by following UPW on Twitter and subscribing to us on YouTube!
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