John Helms
(Fight Grid intro plays.)
(The show opens up to a packed EAW Performance Center located in Newark, New Jersey. The crowd in attendance tonight is electric, with the camera panning over to show Maria Del Ray being shown inside the ring with a microphone in his hand.)
Maria Del Ray: The following contest is a singles match scheduled for ONE FALL!!!
(‘Do What I Want’ by Lil Uzi Vert begins to play throughout the speakers of the performance center, as Justin Thorson would make his way through the curtain, in his debut here tonight. He looks around with a confident look in his eyes, as he makes his way down the ring.)
Maria Del Ray: Introducing first! From Chicago, Illinois… weighing in at 212 pounds… he calls himself The ‘Windy City Warrior’!!! JUSTIN THORSON!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Knight: Justin Thorson is making his debut here tonight in EAW, as he goes up against someone who he seems to have a long history with in Tristan Carter. Hm. It seems like Tristan has a lot of people here which he has history with, yes, Clark?
Clark Ruggerio: Looks like it indeed! Just last week Tristan was going up against Sal Dorado in a match where both competitors knew each other very well from a group known as the OG3, and it looks like it is going to be a similar scenario here tonight against the man who calls himself The Windy City Warrior.
(‘Do What I Want’ would then fade out from there, as it is then replaced by ‘Man On Fire’ by On The Larceny, as Tristan Carter would appear on the stage. He looks around, before setting his sights on Justin, and walking down the ramp, looking as cocky as ever.)
Maria Del Ray: And his opponent! From Cincinnati, Ohio… weighing in at 218 pounds… he is The ‘Highlight Reel’!!! TRISTAN CARTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Knight: And here’s Tristan Carter! We saw what he was capable of just last week when he went up against Sal Dorado, and was able to pick up his first victory in EAW, but now he might just have a tougher challenge, going up against Justin Thorson, another former partner of his elsewhere.
Clark Ruggerio: From the information and the tapes that I have gathered and taken a gander at, these two have been through many wars outside of EAW, and I expect no different inside of this match. These two men are going to look to tear each other apart, and we’re going to see that… right now!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Ben Knight: And this match is underway! These two have deep history with each other outside of EAW, and it looks like this is not going to be any pretty, as Tristian Carter and Justin Thorson lock up! These men are battling to see who gets the edge here, as it looks like Tristian is going to get the early advantage… no! Justin catches him with a kick to the midsection!
Clark Ruggerio: It looks like Justin is going to take advantage of the opening given to him, as he floats over, and plants Tristian with a DDT! Justin nails Tristan Carter on his head with the float over ddt, and now he mounts him, before nailing him with lefts and rights! Tristan is trying to cover up but to no avail as Justin is getting these haymakers in!
Ben Knight: Now Justin is going to grab Tristian and pull him back up to his feet by the hair, before sending him into the corner. He runs the opposite side of the ropes, before running at Tristan, but it’s Tristan who catches Justin with a boot right to the face! Tristan goes around Justin, before grabbing a hold of the tights before he throws him to the outside of the ring.
Clark Ruggerio: Tristan Carter slowly follows to the outside, dropping down to the ringside floor as he grabs a hold of Justin, but Thorson looks to not stay down, catching Tristan with a kick to the face, but Tristan ducks it, before pulling Justin in by the waist, lifting him up and over, down onto the floor with a german suplex! Tristan drops Justin right down onto his head with that suplex, and it might be telling the end.
Ben Knight: Tristan grabs a hold of Justin, before pulling him back up to his feet and sliding him into the ring, and you can just tell that Justin has not a single clue where he is at! Tristan climbs up onto the apron, and he looks to enter back into the ring… but wait! He has a different idea! Tristan hangs out on the apron, before climbing up to the top rope, and looking down at Justin…
Clark Ruggerio: AND HE JUMPS INTO THE AIR, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH THE FROG SPLASH!! THAT FROG SPLASH HITS WITH PRECISION, AS TRISTAN DOUBLES DOWN ON IT AND HOOKS THE LEG, GOING FOR THE COVER TO END THE MATCH HERE!!!
OOONNNEEE!!!!!!!!!
TWWWWOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Ben Knight: But Justin Thorson pops the shoulder up! You can tell that Tristan isn’t happy about this, as he gets up into a seated position, before looking up at the referee and back down at Justin, and you can tell that by the way he is looking at his former OG3 comrade that he is looking to put an end to this once and for all! Tristan grabs Justin by his hair, pulling him up…
Clark Ruggerio: But wait! Thorson grabs Tristan by his hair and he pulls him down and over into a cradle pin! Tristan has nowhere that he can go and Justin might steal it right here and now from The Highlight Reel!!!
OOONNNEEE!!!!!!!!!
TWWWWOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Ben Knight: But Tristan Carter escapes out of the pin and escapes losing his dignity, as both men get back up to their feet, meeting each other in the center of the ring, as Justin catches Tristan with a forearm smash! But Tristan responds with one of his own! Justin with an uppercut, and Tristan with one of his own! Tristan looks to run the ropes… but Justin grabs onto him! BELLY TO BELLY SUPLEX!
Clark Ruggerio: Justin quickly gets back up to his feet, but look! Tristan is stirring! Tristan is able to make it up to his knees, but Justin doesn’t give him any time to breathe as he connects with a roundhouse kick, caving Tristan’s chest in, but Tristan ain’t even fazed by it! He is able to pick up one foot, but another kick to the chest! BUT HE STILL ISN’T FAZED!
Ben Knight: TRISTAN IS BACK UP AND HE CONNECTS WITH AN UPPERCUT SENDING JUSTIN BACK INTO THE ROPES… BUT JUSTIN REBOUNDS AND DROPS HIM WITH A BICYCLE PUMP KICK! Justin quickly grabs Tristan and pulls him back up to his feet, BEFORE CONNECTING WITH A ROUNDHOUSE KICK TO THE HEAD! ‘ODINS GIFT’!!! TRISTAN CRUMBLES DOWN TO THE MAT, AND JUSTIN FALLS TO HIS KNEES BEFORE DROPPING HIS ARM OVER TRISTAN FOR THE WIN!!
OOONNNEEE!!!!!!!!!
TWWWWOOOO!!!!!!!!!
TT-
Clark Ruggerio: TRISTAN CARTER WITH THE KICKOUT! You can tell that Justin Thorson isn’t happy about that whatsoever, as he gets up a knee, before looking around, looking for what he can do next, as he gets back up to his feet, and looks down at a limp Tristan Carter, and Justin Thorson is going to look to put an end to this match once and for all!!
Ben Knight: Justin quickly grabs Tristan by the hair, before putting him back up to his feet, and he lifts Tristan up onto his shoulders! Justin is going to look to put the final nail in the coffin of Tristan Carter, AS HE LOOKS TO SEND TRISTAN DOWN WITH WHAT HE CALLS THE ‘CUPID’S ARROW’!!!! THE WRIST-CLUTCH SAMOAN DRIVER!!!—
Clark Ruggerio: NOOO!!! TRISTAN CARTER IS ABLE TO SHIFT THE MOMENTUM AND HE DROPS JUSTIN THORSON DOWN WITH THE CRUCIFIX DRIVER!!! Tristan just drove Justin right down onto his head, and now Justin has not a single clue of where he is at right now! Tristan quickly grabs Justin by the head, before kicking him up onto his knees, and it looks like Tristan is going to be the one to put the final nail in the coffin instead!
Ben Knight: TRISTAN CARTER RUNS THE ROPES, AND JUSTIN THORSON DOESN’T HAVE A SINGLE CLUE OF WHERE HE IS AT RIGHT NOW… BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER IN THE END, AS TRISTAN DRIVES HIS KNEE RIGHT INTO THE BACK OF THORSON’S HEAD!!! THE LAST RESORT PRACTICALLY TAKES JUSTIN’S HEAD OFF, AND TRISTAN ROLLS JUSTIN OVER AND HOOKS THE LEG! BALLGAME!!
OOONNNEEE!!!!!!!!!
TWWWWOOOO!!!!!!!!!
TTTHHHHHRRRRREEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
(‘Man On Fire’ begins to blast through the speakers once again as Tristan Carter would push himself off of Justin Thorson. He looks around with a smug smirk on his face as the referee would raise his arm in victory.)
Maria Del Ray: Here is your winner of this match; TRISTAN CARTER!!!!!!
Ben Knight: What a performance by these two here tonight! They gave it their absolute all inside of that ring, and I wish we could have seen more of these two going at it, but in the end it was the man who calls himself The ‘Highlight Reel’ who was able to push through and win in the end!
Clark Ruggerio: Justin Thorson gave his best fight here tonight, but in the end it all went the way that Tristan Carter wanted it to, and he was able to pick up the second win here in his EAW career. Congratulations to both men on this match, and congratulations especially to Tristan Carter for the victory!
(Tristan Carter would continue to bask in his glory of the victory here tonight, as the referee would check up on Justin Thorson, who looks disappointed on the rampway. The camera would then fade elsewhere.)
(A commercial is shown for King of Elite 2023 starring Limmy Monaghan.)
(“Falling Apart” by Zebrahead hits to boos from the audience as Sal Dorado heads to the ring looking ready to compete once again on Fight Grid.)
Maria Del Ray: The following contest is scheduled for…
Crowd: ONE FALL!!!
Maria Del Ray: Introducing first from San Diego, California weighing in at 223 pounds he is “The Mirror Image” SAL DORRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRADOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!
Ben Knight: This is not the first time we have seen Sal Dorado on Fight Grid. Unfortunately he did not have a successful debut the last time he was here. But he has not given up and he is looking to have better luck this time here tonight.
Clark Ruggiero: We saw him very cocky last week and you can tell he is the same way here tonight. But hopefully that loss humbled him a little and he will take his opponent more seriously tonight. Because if he doesn’t he may end up with the same result!
Ben Knight: But then again he might not. Maybe he actually is that much better than his opponent. We are about to find out!
(As soon as Sal Dorado enters the ring “Fearless” by Amaranthe begins to blast throughout the arena speakers. Thomas Fresnedi begins to make his way to the ring with a smile on his face and slapping hands with the fans in the crowd.)
Maria Del Ray: And his opponent MAKING HIS EAW DEBUT from Sorrento, Italy weighing in at 170 pounds he is “The Italian Stallion” THOMASSSSSSSSSSSS FRESSSSSSSSSSSSSSNEDIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!
Ben Knight: This is the first time that we have gotten a chance to see Thomas Fresnedi of Italy in action here in EAW. From what I understand he hasn’t been wrestling for too long so this may be one of the first chances anyone has had to see him wrestle. So who knows what is in store for this match.
Clark Ruggiero: He says that he is here to compete with the best and he sure came to the right place. His EAW journey begins tonight and who knows how far he will go. But the first step is getting by Sal Dorado here on Fight Grid!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Ben Knight: This match is now underway! Sal Dorado goes charging in wildly looking to drop Thomas Fresnedi with a Running Dropkick but Thomas moves out of the way causing Sal to kick the ropes instead. Dorado manages to kick off the ropes and land back on his feet in the ring impressively instead of going through which could have been a real bad situation. Fresnedi runs up on Dorado but Dorado hits him with a back elbow sending him backwards into the ring. Fresnedi holding his jaw as Dorado charges at him with a Running Clothesline but Fresnedi ducks beneath! Fresnedi grabs Dorado from behind and pulls him down with a Rear Naked Choke!
Clark Ruggiero: Sal Dorado taps out immediately! No! He wasn’t tapping he was reaching for the ropes and he managed to luckily get to them! Good ring awareness there as Dorado shows his experience advantage over Thomas Fresnedi here tonight. Fresnedi breaks the submission without a fuss to the referee as he pulls Dorado back up and twists him around into a Swinging Neckbreaker!
Ben Knight: No! Sal Dorado manages to roll out of it and breaks free of Thomas Fresnedi’s grasp! Dorado shoves Thomas away but Thomas bounces off the ropes with a Running Dropkick! He gets all of it as Dorado is sent flying across the ring going back first into the corner. Thomas runs up in the corner with a Stinger Splash flattening Dorado who is in trouble now as Thomas grabs him pulling him out of the corner into a Bearhug!
Clark Ruggiero: But Sal Dorado with repeated elbow strikes to the head of Thomas Fresnedi forcing him to let go of the Bearhug and attempts a sudden leaping Enzuigiri but Thomas side steps it causing Sal to kick the air and land hard on his side. Dorado pulls himself on the middle rope but Fresnedi with a Running Knee Strike to the back of the neck forcing him throat first on the ropes. But Fresnedi is not done yet! He runs off the ropes and comes charging back with a Leaping Knee Strike right into the back of Dorado who is crushed on the ropes. Dorado falls backwards into the ring.
Ben Knight: Big opportunity to put this one away here from Thomas Fresnedi as the Italian Stallion goes up to the top rope! Fresnedi comes off the top with a Diving Splash! He gets all of it flattening Sal Dorado like a pancake! Fresnedi into the cover!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Referee: THREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE-
Clark Ruggiero: Close call there as Sal Dorado manages to kick out! Thomas Fresnedi nearly scoring the victory in his EAW debut here tonight and if he had done so on his first ever pin that would have been even more impressive. But no matter the result he ends up with here tonight that near fall is a great success for anyone’s first match.
Ben Knight: Thomas Fresnedi falls back into the corner waiting for Sal Dorado to get back up. Dorado back up as Fresnedi charges in with another Running Dropkick! But this time Dorado moves out of the way and Dorado goes back first into the corner crashing and burning! Dorado now with a chance to turn this match around! He pulls Fresnedi out of the corner back to the middle of the ring. Dorado now looking to go high risk!
Clark Ruggiero: Sal Dorado looking to end things here as he goes up to the top rope and takes to the skies! FROG SPLASH FROM SAL DORADO! HE COMES CRASHING DOWN FROM ON HIGH ATOP THOMAS FRESNEDIIII-
Ben Knight: No! Thomas Fresnedi gets his knees up just in time! Sal Dorado crashes and screams out in pain as the knees are driven directly into his knees! Did you hear a loud cracking noise? I sure thought I did! Sal Dorado could be seriously injured!
Clark Ruggiero: And now Thomas Fresnedi looking to take advantage! He is stomping away at the ribs of Sal Dorado just adding injury to injury. Dorado unable to escape as he tries to pull himself under the bottom ropes to catch a breather but Fresnedi yanks him right back in. Fresnedi yanks Ruggiero back up and kicks him hard in the gut before flipping him backwards onto his back with a Standing Suplex!
Ben Knight: Thomas Fresnedi not going for the cover however. Clearly he has something else in mind! Dorado slowly back up to his feet as Fresnedi is watching him… SUPERKICK CONNECTS FROM FRESNEDI! I believe he calls that The Italian Blackout! AND SAL DORADO HAS DEFINITELY BLACKED OUT HERE TONIGHT ON FIGHT GRID!!!
Clark Ruggiero: Thomas Fresnedi slides into the cover on Sal Dorado as this match looks to be over!!!
Referee: ONEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!
Referee: TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!
Referee: THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Maria Del Ray: Here is your winner… THOMASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS FRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRESNEDIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!
(“Fearless” by Amaranthe hits as Thomas Fresnedi has his arm raised in victory.)
Ben Knight: Thomas Fresnedi did it! He is victorious in his EAW debut! He told the world that the Era of Fresnedi would begin tonight and indeed it has!
Clark Ruggiero: Unfortunately for Sal Dorado he has yet again come up empty and will have to look for his first victory again in another match. Because tonight belongs to the Italian Stallion! Congratulations to Thomas Fresnedi who can now say that he is undefeated in 2022!!!
(A commercial is shown for Norwegian Cruise Line featuring Jake Smith.)
( ‘Outlaws and Outsiders’ by Cory Marks plays out Axel Graves, who is focused ahead of his match with Mercer, wanting to make a big impression in his debut, possibly
open some eyes, and his entrance reflects that.)
Maria Del Ray: INTRODUCING FIRST! Hailing out of Bearcreek, Montana, weighing in at 265 pounds… HE IS THE MONTANA MANIAC… AXEL GRAVES!
Ben Knight: It is time for Axel Graves versus Mercer McKay, both competitors who’ll be looking to make a splash, and open some eyes tonight.
Clark Ruggiero: The whole point of this is for others to get a feel of who you are as a performer, and if you impress, it might open some door for whichever brand you go to. Speaking of, we’ll be seeing Axel on the Voltage brand very soon.
Ben Knight: I imagine Captain Charisma is watching very intently.
(Axel paces back-and-forth as he awaits the arrival of his opponent, but doesn’t have to wait long as ‘Run’ by Zeal & Ardor blares throughout the arena, receiving a mixed reaction from fans, who aren’t sure what to make of this newcomer yet. Mercer matches Axel in focus, barely taking his eyes off the opposition during his entrance, and looking to ready to scrap any minute as he slowly stalks toward the ring.)
Maria Del Ray: AND HIS OPPONENT! Hailing out of The Black Cabin, weighing in at 265 pounds… HE IS THE MASTODON… MERCER MCKAY!
Ben Knight: Mastadon, indeed. Look at this man, standing in at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds. He’s a problem to anyone he steps in the ring with carrying those stats.
Clark Ruggiero: But Axel is showing no intimidation, seeing as the two aren’t far off from one another in stature. I’d say Axel stands an equal chance against McKay, who certainly has captured audience’s attention as of late.
Ben Knight: There’s something about the dude which breeds interest, but that could all prove to be smoke and mirrors shall he lose tonight.
(Both competitors stare one another down from opposite corners as the referee signals for the bell.)
(DING! DING! DING!)
Ben Knight: Alright, the bell has rung, and it is time for these two behemoths to square off. I’ll tell you, there aren’t many built like them here in EAW, which’ll certainly help pay off in upcoming matches.
Clark Ruggerio: If you know how to use it, size, along with strength can be a huge factor in matches.
Ben Knight: You’re not kidding. Both competitors lock up in the center of the ring after circling one another momentarily. Now, they’re jockeying for position with Mercer getting the early advantage, backing Axel up against the ropes.
Clark Ruggerio: Axel shifts the momentum, pinning McKay up against the ropes now, but Mercer battles back, matching Graves in strength by pinning him up against the corner. Referee gets involved, giving Mercer til the count of five.
Referee: ONE! TWO! TH-
Ben Knight: Mercer slowly releases the collar and elbow before being shoved back to the center of the ring by Axel! Both men circle each other once again before initiating another lock up in the center of the ring. Mercer backs Axel into the corner, and proceeds to grind his forearm into the face of Graves, showing absolutely no respect, and a hint of aggression. The referee gets involved for a second time in this match, having to give Mercer a five count.
Referee: ONE! TWO! THREE!
Clark Ruggerio: Axel shoves McKay back, and marches to the center of the ring for a third lockup! Finally, Graves gets the upper hand on Mercer with a standing side headlock. Mercer grinds his forearm into the jaw of Axel, trying to push him off, but Graves continues to keep that headlock tacked on, forcing Mercer to switch gameplan.
Ben Knight: McKay bounces Axel off the ropes, and Graves tries taking Mercer down with a shoulder block, but both competitors remain on their feet! Evenly matched. Mercer yells at Axel, questioning if that’s all he’s got, and pie-faces him. HUGE RIGHT HAND FROM AXEL IN RETURN, TURNING MCKAY AROUND, AND SENDING HIM TUMBLING OUT THROUGH THE MIDDLE ROPE!
Clark Ruggerio: Mercer lands on his feet, favoring that jaw, which got rocked by Axel, who exits the ring in pursuit. Mercer gets leaned up against the barricade for a KNIFE EDGE CHOP, ECHOING THROUGHOUT THE ARENA! Mercer definitely felt that one, and gets rolled back into the ring by Graves, who enters in after him.
Ben Knight: A groggy Mercer got to his feet right as Axel entered the ring, AND GETS TAKEN BACK DOWN WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE! Mercer has been placed on the defensive by Axel, who watches as he gets to a knee, proceeding to pick Mercer up in position for a suplex. But McKay blocks being lifted up in the air, dropping to a knee, and hooking his arm on the leg of Axel. Mercer gets his arm free from around the neck of Axel, and places both hands on his waist.
Clark Ruggerio: OOH! Axel just got driven back first into the corner! Graves winces in pain, but he’s about to be in a lot more as Mercer BOOTS HIM IN THE SIDE OF THE HEAD! Axel is dazed, and gets LAUNCHED TO THE CENTER OF THE RING WITH AN EXPLODER SUPLEX! That is a nearly 300 pound man, who Mercer just manhandled with ease!
Ben Knight: Mercer makes the cover, not hooking the leg, which could turn out to be a detriment!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Ben Knight: Kickout by Axel, who jolts up to a seated position! But Mercer doesn’t let up, continuing to inflict punishment with a kick to the spine! Axel gets to a knee, favoring his back, but gets stood up by McKay, who knocks him back into the corner with a forearm! Mercer brings Axel out of the corner slightly for a CLUBBING BLOW TO THE BACK, dropping Graves down to a knee.
Clark Ruggerio: Big boot to the side of the skull sende Axel down to his side! That isn’t the first boot Axel has taken from Mercer either, these blows to the head might be enough to knock him loopy.
Ben Knight: Mercer pulls Axel up, having a fistful of hair, and launches him a SECOND TIME with an exploder suplex, sending his opponent halfway across the ring. Like I said, that’s a nearly 300 pound man being manhandled before our very eyes. Axel sits up, favoring his back, and Mercer lays him back down for a cover, hooking the leg!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
Clark Ruggerio: Axel gets the shoulder up! Mercer picks Graves up to a vertical base, and knocks him back into the corner with a HARD forearm strike, reminiscent of before. Mercer proceeds to enact a little revenge on Axel, delivering an OPEN-HANDED CHOP TO THE CHEST!
Ben Knight: Just like Axel’s, you could hear that one echo throughout the arena, and Mercer brings Graves to the center of the ring for a THIRD exploder suplex. BUT AXEL FIGHTS OUT OF IT WITH ELBOWS TO THE BACK OF NECK, LOOSENING THE GRIP OF MCKAY, WHO GETS SPIKED WITH A DDT! Both competitors are down momentarily. Of course, Axel is unable to capitalize after the damage he just took at the hands of Mercer McKay.
Clark Ruggerio: Both competitors begin stirring, slowly making it to their feet. Axel gets to his first, and McKay follows shortly after. A slightly groggy Graves staggers back into the corner, BUT CHARGES OUT OF IT AT MERCER WITH A RUNNING LARIAT! Mercer is instantly back to his feet, AND GETS KNOCKED DOWN WITH ANOTHER RUNNING CLOTHESLINE!
Ben Knight: Mercer gets to his feet, albeit a bit slower than before, and stumbles back into the corner. He’s starting to get overwhelmed with these attacks by Axel, WHO RUNS INTO THE CORNER WITH A BACK ELBOW ONTO MCKAY! Irish whip to the opposite corner by Ax- no! It got countered by McKay, who sends Axel into the corner instead.
Clark Ruggerio: Axel tries going up and over a charging Mercer, but McKay catches him in position for a powerslam! Wait! Axel held onto the top rope, and slipped off the shoulders of Mercer, landing onto the apron. Mercer realizes this, and tries to take care of Graves as a result, but wanders RIGHT INTO A FOREARM SMASH!
Ben Knight: Mercer got spun around off impact, and on wobbly legs, turns back around to face Axel. OOH! SLINGSHOT SHOULDER BLOCK! Almost off instinct, Mercer groggily gets to his feet, and staggers right into TOUR OF THE BOONIES! AXEL PLANTED HIM WITH THAT SWINGING SIDE SLAM, WHICH HE IMMEDIATELY LOOKS TO COVER AFTER, HOOKING THE LEG FOR A DEEP COVER ONTO AXEL!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHH-
Clark Ruggerio: Mercer explodes out of the cover at two! Axel sits up, and continues to will himself on, getting to his feet, and pulling Mercer up to his. McKay gets hooked up for a suplex, but twirls out of it, GRABBING AXEL BY THE THROAT FOR A CHOKESLAM! BUT GRAVES SWATS HIS HAND AWAY FOR AN UPPERCUT THAT KNOCKS MERCER BACK INTO THE CORNER!
Ben Knight: Axel goes after him, BUT WALKS RIGHT INTO A BIG BOOT! Axel is stunned, and MERCER FOLLOWS THAT UP WITH A ROLLING ELBOW TO THE JAW! But still, Axel remains on his feet. Mercer grabs Axel by the head with both hands, and stands him center of the ring. MERCER RUNS OFF THE ROPES IN FRONT OF HIM!
Clark Ruggerio: Getting a burst of energy, Axel runs off the same set of ropes as Mercer, who stops himself short in the center, turning around to face his opposition! BULL RUSH! AXEL CAUGHT HIM WITH A SPEAR, AND RUSHES INTO THE COVER, HOOKING THE LEG!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEE-
Ben Knight: KICKOUT! That was so close for Axel, who must’ve believed he had Mercer beat there. But no, McKay got the shoulder up, causing the match to continue on.
Clark Ruggerio: That’s two big moves from Axel delivered onto McKay. If he keeps that up, it won’t be long for Axel to have his hand raised tonight, impressing, and making believers out of some, whether that be his peers in the locker room, or fans watching this performance.
Ben Knight: Speaking of impressing, Mercer has certainly with me tonight. The dude is an absolute tank, managing to eat whatever Graves offers.
Clark Ruggerio; Perhaps he was scouting tape, we know Graves has been doing this since 2019. McKay, on the other hand, 2017. Maybe we saw a bit of experience over Axel rear its ugly head, because for a while, Axel was just dominating, keeping complete control over the match.
Ben Knight: Axel had momentum earlier on at the start of the match, but ever since the tide shifted, has been battling back from underneath. I’d say he’s doing a pretty good job of it, making affairs quite even between the two. But back to the in-ring action, Axel drags Mercer closer to the corner. For what? We don’t know, but are possibly about to find out as Axel goes up to the middle rope.
Clark Ruggerio: Axel remains seated on the top turnbuckle briefly, wiping the sweat off his face, and trying to get his bearings together, which is common after a hard-hitting match like this.
Ben Knight: Finally, Axel balances himself on the middle rope, but took too much time as Mercer gets to his feet, and grabs Axel by the throat again, taking him off the second rope for a CHOKESLAM BACKBREAKER! AXEL JUST GOT SLAMMED ACROSS THE KNEE OF MERCER! MCKAY MAKES THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRRRRR-
Clark Ruggerio: KICKOUT! Axel Graves manages to stay in this thing, getting the shoulder up, preserving his life in the match.
Ben Knight: Axel rolls out underneath the bottom rope, and lies prone on the apron. Mercer gets to his feet, and steps out on the apron himself, pulling Axel to his feet by the hair. BIG FOREARM STRIKE FROM MCKAY, AND THATS FOLLOWED UP WITH A CLUBBING BLOW TO THE BACK, SIMILAR TO EARLIER! Said back a little bit more tender after that chokeslam Backbreaker.
Clark Ruggerio: Axel is doubled over, but Mercer isn’t done, scoring a pointed elbow to the back of the neck! Graves goes down to a knee, and Mercer once again pulls him back up to a vertical base, having a handful of hair. BUT AXEL EXPLODES WITH A RIGHT HAND ONTO MCKAY, AND AN OPEN-HANDED CHOP TO THE CHEST!
Ben Knight: Mercer is reeling after that one, but Axel Lands ANOTHER open-handed chop to the chest of Mercer! BUT MCKAY GRABS AXEL BY THE THROAT AGAIN, DOES HE WANT ANOTHER CHOKESLAM?!
Clark Ruggerio: AXEL SWATS THE HAND AWAY, AND MERCER TRIES FOR A CLOTHESLINE ATTEMPT, BUT THE ARM IS CAUGHT, AND GRAVES PLANTS MCKAY WITH AN STO ON THE APRON! MERCER HIT BACK FIRST! Graves pushes a supine Mercer back into the ring, and slides in himself.
Ben Knight: Mercer slowly gets to his feet, but is evidently seeing stars, not even facing the right direction as Axel, who is stood behind a wobbly legged McKay. Axel grabs hold of Mercer, AND DUMPS HIM HIGH ON HIS HEAD AND NECK WITH A SAITO SUPLEX!
Clark Ruggerio: MERCER IS SPRAWLED ON THE CANVAS, LOOKING DOWN AND OUT! AXEL QUICKLY CRAWLS INTO THE COVER!
ONNNNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHRRRRRR-
Clark Ruggerio: SHOULDER UP! Almost instinctively, Mercer rolls out underneath the bottom rope, and to the outside, dropping to a knee, using the apron to keep himself upright. Axel gets to his feet in the center of the ring, and starts to fire himself up, having cruel intentions on the mind.
Ben Knight: AXEL RUNS OFF THE ROPES, AND BUILDS MOMENTUM FOR AN OVER THE TOP ROPE SUICIDE DIVE! MERCER GOES BACK FIRST INTO THE BARRICADE, AND IS ROLLED INTO THE RING BY AXEL!
Clark Ruggerio: GRAVES SLIDES IN AFTER HIM! Mercer stands himself back up, and gets hooked up for the 406! Axel wants the Shouten, BUT MERCER TWIRLS OUT OF IT FOR A KICK TO THE MIDSECTION, DOUBLING AXEL OVER FOR A PENALTY KICK TO THE FACE, JOLTING HIM BACK UPRIGHT! MERCER SPINS AROUND FOR A ROLLING ELBOW- BUT GETS CUT OFF WITH A BICYCLE KICK!
Ben Knight: Mercer gets spun around, and staggers into the corner, which he uses to prop himself up. Axel stumbles to the opposite corner, and turns around to face Mercer, who he charges at! BUT MERCER COMES RUNNING OUT OF THE CORNER ALSO!
Clark Ruggerio: AXEL TRIES FOR A CLOTHESLINE, BUT MERCER TRAPS THE ARM, AND POPS HIM UP FOR A SPINNING BACK ELBOW! EMPTY PRAYERS! AXEL CAN BARELY STAND! KICK TO THE GUT BY MERCER, WHO SCORES WITH HALL OF ATONEMENT!
Ben Knight: MERCER STACKS AXEL UP FOR A COVER!
ONNNNNNNNEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
TWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOO!!
THHHHHHHRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEE!!
(DING! DING! DING!)
Maria Del Ray: HERE’S YOUR WINNER… MERCER MCKAY!
(‘Run’ by Zeal & Ardor blares throughout the arena, and Mercer rises to his feet, having his hand raised in victory by the referee before snatching it away, and raising both fists in the air.)
Ben Knight: What a match between both men, in the end, Mercer walking out victorious.
Clark Ruggerio: Mercer usually has more to follow up with, but with all the damage he’s taken, probably exhausted all that energy into the tiger driver, which was enough to get him the win here.
Ben Knight: After a match like that, I think both competitors can have a bright future, and hope to see them to it.
(Mercer drops to a knee, favoring his ribs while leaning up against the ropes, but rolls out underneath the bottom rope, continuing to celebrate his victory.)
(Fight Grid logo buzzes.)
