Vanguard #4 (08/31/22)

Slater enters the ring after coming out from beneath, lying in wait as Damian makes his entrance! Steel chair in hand, he waffles the big man across the back three times, the impacts echoing to the upper decks… but Damian barely reacts at all! The steel chair shakes in Brody’s hands and, as Damian turns around, Slater hauls off and swings for the dome!


The black metal bends a bit around the head of the Juggernaut… who barely reacts at all! Desperation reigns and Brody has the chair smacked out of his hands before he’s dropped by a crushing big boot! Damian grabs him by the throat and, one-handed, chucks Slater into the buckles, following with a huge body splash that leaves Slater limp against the buckles. Damian yanks him forward, looking disgusted, and positions Slater with intent to destroy! His head turns towards Katie, who demands that the bell is rung for the match to start! Referee Zach Young is concerned about what will happen if he does, but a glare from the Juggernaut convinces him to give in and do as he’s asked!


Already with a grip on Brody Slater, Damian hoists him up and delivers a triple Skyfall (JBL Bomb) before folding up Slater and getting the VERY academic pinfall!


Spirit Montego: And your winner… DAMIAN SIMMONS!

Katie rolls into the ring after the bell, if only to allow her calming presence to keep Damian from batting another triple with Brody’s spine… for it seems like that’s exactly what’s on the Juggernaut’s mind. But he decides against it at her urging, leaving the ring with her as trainers rush the ring to check on the still-motionless Slater.

Bernadette Olson: Brody Slater isn’t looking good here, folks. I can fully understand the desire for retribution, but Damian Simmons is not a man that you want to rile up!

Jacob Frankel: That was borderline felonious assault, Bernadette! Brody’s career might be over!

Bernadette Olson: I wouldn’t go that far. He’s a tough kid. But if I’m him, I’m picking my fights damn carefully from now on. And if I’m the rest of the locker room, I’m making myself VERY concerned about the Juggernaut.

Marino starts things off fast, looking for a win right from the get. He puts pressure on the veteran Blake, nailing accurate strikes and discombobulating his opponent with quick armdrags and hiptosses. The basics work for the young former Marine, letting him score some quick near-falls on Mason. Rather than fighting back technically as is typically his forte, Blake stuns Robert with a headbutt, then a second, before hitting a discus lariat to take the young star down hard. From there, he stomps the hell out of the young man, working his way around the body before grinding the sole of his boot for a few turns across Marino’s forehead. Writhing in the aftermath of this assault, Marino is given a few moments to regain his bearings with Blake backing into the corner and watching the young man as though he were prey. Marino gets to his feet and at just about the same moment, Blake charges in for a clothesline! Countering with a crucifix, Marino gets another near-fall on the veteran! Mason registers a small amount of irritation, compounded when the quicker Marino catches him with the Midnight Meeting (Dirty Deeds) and scores a long two-count as a result!

Mixing a half-nelson with a chinlock, Marino tries to grind Mason down a bit, planning his next move. Mason is having zero thoughts about submitting, though, eventually powering out and delivering a reverse STO on Marino. Going nose-first to the mat is enough to stun anyone, and Mason moves to make his opponent regret his perceived impudence, grabbing him in a front facelock and delivering knee after knee, some of them lifting Marino off his feet. Mason lets him drop, staring down at him as Robert defiantly tries to pull himself back to a vertical base. Slamming the point of his elbow down onto the back of Marino’s head, Mason hits a nasty-looking (in a good way) lifting double-underhook facebuster, rolling Marino over and moving into a lateral press.


Blake looks marginally surprised that the move didn’t put Robert away, but he shrugs and pulls him up again, throwing a few chops before whipping Robert hard into the corner. Three running knees follow this, leading to Mason’s Ambition (Knees/Running Bulldog Combination), again driving Marino hard to the mat and, again, leading to a pin… this time with the far leg hooked!

TWO…

THR-NO!

ROBERT GETS THE SHOULDER UP AGAIN!

Everyone and their mother thought that was the end but, once again, Marino’s guts keep him in the fight. Blake, chuckling at first, snarls as he brings Marino to his feet before sending him back to the mat with a big right hand! Undaunted, Marino gets right back and is pulled in immediately by Mason, who is seeking his Thanks For Coming (Texas Piledriver) to end things! Robert, however, back body drops Blake, seemingly spending the last of his energy to do so! Both men are struggling to get up, but Blake is still a few moments ahead. Shaking it off, he rushes Robert, who pulls down the top rope to send Blake spilling out to the floor! The fans are getting behind Robert, who hits the ropes and rebounds, sailing over and onto Blake with a somersault senton! The fans go off and Robert is feeding off it, rolling Blake back into the ring and following suit! Mason is on his feet in short order but Robert is already in motion, delivering the Code of Honor (Shiranui to Rolling Cutter) to a big reaction! He hooks the far leg!


It was so close, but Blake is still in the match. Marino keeps his head and calls for the Devil Dog Death (Coup de Grace), heading up to the top rope! Blake is back on his feet before Robert can land, though, so Robert rolls through and comes up to his feet… but Blake is right there to go for Prelude to the End (Leaping Reverse STO)! Grabbing the ropes on reflex allows Robert to counter, causing Blake to hit the mat awkwardly! Marino acts quickly, hitting the Drone Drop (A-Town Down) and rolling into a lateral press, hooking the far leg!


Spirit Montego: Ladies and gentlemen, your winner… Robert Marino!

The hellacious match has Marino breathing heavily after the fact, but the fans are definitely happy with the result, and so is he when he comes around!

Bernadette Olson: A very game Blake Mason almost put Robert Marino away tonight, Jacob, but the youngster toughed it out for a big win!

Jacob Frankel: I could go for seeing these two battling it out again!

Bernadette Olson: Sounds like you aren’t the only one.

Given what’s on the line, this battle starts off with caution on both sides. Jonna takes to the ring first for the Frontline and Jane from the Broke Chicks meets her in the middle. They lock up and a battle of strength begins with Jane pushing back hard against Jonna before slowly giving ground. She fights her way back and gets Jonna on the back foot before Austin snares her in a headlock and flips her to the mat. Jane isn’t down long, powering her way up and elbowing out of Jonna’s grip. A shoulderblock ends in a stalemate, as does a second, and a forearm shot from Jonna only riles Jane up, the Broke Chick clocking Austin with a right hand and following with a belly-to-belly suplex before putting on a tight chinlock! Jonna has the air knocked from her but recovers, edging toward her team’s corner, reaching for Lluvia’s outstretched hand. Jane isn’t having it, though, pulling Jonna into a rear naked choke. Flipping backwards, Jonna turns it into a pinning predicament-


-that Jane breaks out of. Both women make it to their corners, with Chi Chi charging into Lluvia almost before she can get into the ring! Wild clubbing shots to the back, punctuated with knee strikes, keeps Lluvia on the ropes, but when she goes for a charge, a quick-thinking Lluvia hits a drop toe hold that drapes Chi Chi painfully across the middle strand! Slingshotting over the top, Lluvia drops a leg across the back of Chi Chi’s neck, then hits a running kick that knocks her back into the ring! A slingshot leg drop is next, followed by a pin attempt!


Far too energetic to go down even after a barrage like that, Chi Chi staggers up and catches Lluvia with a Thesz press, flailing with both fists, trying to do as much damage as possible before the count of five! The ferocity if not the power has Lluvia scrambling, but she doesn’t tag in Jonna despite being nearby. Instead she goes after Chi Chi again, the two women locking up before Chi Chi hair-mares Lluvia down to the mat and runs at her, delivering both knees to the seated woman’s spine! Lluvia arches up in pain and Chi Chi hits a rolling neck snap after, coming to her feet and tagging in Jane!

The Broke Chicks use every bit of their eight seconds, counted off by Kara Tarantino, to put the hurt on Lluvia… the act of this triggering Jonna to a point that she tries to bust in, only to be backed off by the official. With no qualms about dealing damage, Jane whips Lluvia hard into a neutral corner, Chi Chi following with a leaping knee off her own partner’s back! Lluvia stumbles forward, right into the grip of both Broke Chicks, who deliver a double-suplex before Jane scoop -slams Chi Chi onto Lluvia! Chi Chi quickly leaves the ring so Jane can make a pin attempt…


…but Lluvia still has fight in her! Jane sends her into the Broke Chicks corner, leading to a series of quick tags and a barrage of knife-edge and forehand chops that quickly redden the chest of Lluvia as well as leaving her gasping for air! She starts to elbow her way out of this after a point, catching Chi Chi under the chin and knocking her off the apron, but Jane boots her and hits a snap suplex, putting an end to the escape! Backing off several steps, Harper measures the Cherokee Rose, then charges in for a shining wizard! Lluvia catches her, though… and drills Harper with a humongous powerbomb! Both women are down and Chi Chi is still on the floor while Jonna is pounding on the buckles, trying to get the crowd behind Lluiva and will her over to make the tag! Kara gets the count to five before Harper is up, crawling to the Broke Chicks’ corner while Lluvia gets ever closer to Jonna! Chi Chi is tagged first and grabs Lluvia by the leg before she can make the tag! She whips Lluvia around but a big enzuigiri knocks Chi Chi backwards, allowing Lluvia to finally bring the Gamer Punk back into the match! Chi Chi charges immediately but a huge clothesline knocks her for a loop! Jane moves to get back in, but a running knee sends her to the floor! Chi Chi leaps on Jonna’s back, raking at the eyes before Austin backs her into the buckles a few times to shake her off! Chi Chi comes back with a superkick which almost knocks Jonna down, but she strikes with a headbutt to the chest before spiking Chi Chi with a big DDT and going for the pin!


Jane puts the boots to Jonna, which brings Lluvia back in and all of a sudden we have a four-way melee! The four women pound on one another mercilessly, with Jonna and Chi Chi remaining in the ring as Lluvia and Jane tumble to the outside. They slug it out near the ringside area, with Lluvia getting her head bounced off the announce table and Jane being sent into the timekeeper’s area, almost bowling over Spirit Montego in the process! In the ring, Chi Chi lays into Jonna fiercely, drawing blood with her sharp strikes, and only a stun gun across the top rope slows her down! Jonna sets up for a suplex but Chi Chi knees her way out! Outside the ring, Lluvia gets clocked with the ring bell, a glancing blow but still effective, while Kara Tarantino is trying to restore order… but before Jane can capitalize and join Chi Chi in the ring, a pair of hooded figures come from the crowd and quickly put her through the announce table! Jacob and Bernadette are left shocked as the two figures, swathed entirely in black, disappear back into the audience just as fast as they appeared. Lluvia, not sure what is going on, is urged to get back into the ring by Harper Lee, doing so and joining Jonna and ascending to the top rope! Jonna delivers Secret Strength (Spear), leading to Lluvia landing the Your Horizon (Frog Splash), to cap off their Secret Horizon tandem finisher, getting the one-two-three just as Jane is coming around in the wreckage of the table!


Spirit Montego: Ladies and gentlemen, your winners and the new number one contenders… THE FRONTLINE!

Still unaware of what went down, The Frontline celebrate their big win as Chi Chi checks on Jane, trying to find out if she’s all right as trainers come down for the second time this evening. There’s no sign of the masked figures, either. Lluvia, Jonna and Harper realize that something has happened, but aren’t sure what to make of it.

Bernadette Olson: I get the feeling that, if they knew what had happened, they wouldn’t be celebrating this win. But as far as I’m concerned, they should be savoring it.

Jacob Frankel: I mean… a win’s a win, right?

Bernadette Olson: Exactly.

Jacob Frankel: Still, it’s not cool. Who the hell would do this to 2BC?

A cooler head is prevailing where the champion is concerned when compared with her previous defense, but there’s still plenty of fire in Katie, proven when she briefly overpowers the rough-and-tumble Stephanie, backing her into the ropes and pounding her upper chest with some hard forearms. Stephanie shoves her off to make some distance, and Katie hits the mat… but rolls back and up to her feet, nailing a front dropkick to tangle Kenyon up between the top and middle strands. A running knee sends Stephanie to the floor and Katie makes a rare flight, slingshotting over the top rope for a crossbody… except Stephanie catches her! Full power on display, Stephanie easily transfers the champion to her shoulder and powerslams her right on the mat-covered concrete! Katie arches up in pain but it is only the beginning as Stephanie again picks her up, this time driving her back-first into the ring post! She maintains her grip, even against Katie driving the point of her elbow into the woman’s head, which is just enough to avoid a second spinal impact with the cold metal. Katie boots her away, but has to duck aside when Kenyon charges! She almost embraces the post herself, does Stephanie, but she puts on the brakes… only for Katie to grab her by the head and bounce it off the steel most forcefully!

By now, referee Kara Tarantino is up to seven, so Katie rolls Stephanie back into the ring and immediately goes for Bad Street Blues (Curb Stomp) but Stephanie rolls out onto the apron to avoid it. Showing her own agility, the Kenyon sister slingshots between the top and middle rope to spear Katie to the mat, hooking the leg upon landing!


Katie kicks out, but damage has been done. She’s clutching her ribs as she gets up, not moving in time to avoid a big shoulderblock delivered from the broadside that sends her flying! The pounce-like move almost knocks the champ from the ring but Katie’s conditioning keeps her safe. She ducks a high kick from Kenyon and goes for a German suplex on the bigger woman, but the spear did more damage than she thought; she can’t get the larger woman up! Stephanie elbows out of Katie’s grip and delivers a stunner-like move with Katie crumpling on impact! Kenyon again goes for the cover!


But Katie stays right in it! Stephanie shakes her head, both admiring and expressing consternation with the champion. Backing toward the ropes, the Wildcat is locked in on the champion, waiting on Katie to rise up. When she does, Stephanie drives her right back down with the Kneel, Peasant (Running STO), bouncing the Beautiful One’s head violently off the mat! She folds Katie up for yet another pin attempt…


…but Anderson is as obstinate as they come! Kenyon actually turns to Kara Tarantino, in a rare moment of unrest, and asks if the woman is sure that wasn’t three! Katie, rolling closer, schoolgirls the challenger for a quick one-count, leaving Kenyon off-balance long enough for Katie to get to her feet. Stephanie is still full of fire, charging in at Katie and grabbing her ‘round the waist, trying to drive her into the buckles. Katie slams her arms together over Kenyon’s ears, though, putting a stop to that rush! A swinging neckbreaker follows and Katie for the second time attempts Bad Street Blues! Stephanie gets away, but still gets rolled up as though Katie expected to miss! The champion thinking ahead allows for a near-fall but Stephanie clearly powers the champ off of her, leaving Anderson surprised!

That feeling doesn’t last long. Katie delivers a gutwrench suplex on Stephanie, then clamps on a figure-four neck lock, trying to squeeze the breath and energy out of Kenyon while regaining her own. Keyonn doesn’t take it lying down, though, and starts to struggle, eventually powering Katie’s legs apart, much to the champion’s surprise! Powering out fully, Stephanie is able to turn… and when Katie tries to clamp down again, Kenyon powers her up and drives her to the mat with a powerbomb! She holds on, pulling Anderson up for a second, but a few pointed shots to the head forces the challenger to pause, allowing Katie to swing down for a big DDT, leaving both women down for several seconds. Katie is up first, hitting the ropes and taking to the air over Kenyon, who bolts up and spears her out of the air! Anderson goes down hard, but the resultant pin is only enough for a near-fall, as Katie grabs the ropes. Frustrated further, Kenyon measures the champion for the Kiss-Off (Superkick). Katie, though, squeezes the last drops of adrenaline that she has, tackling Stephanie before she can fire off that lethal kick, knocking her down at such an angle that the challenger’s head hits the bottom turnbuckle! Knocked loopy from the impact, Stephanie can’t for a third time get away from Bad Street Blues, and Katie is able to put her away for the one-two-three!


Spirit Montego: The winner of the match… and STILL the Vanguard Champion… KATIE ANDERSON!

Katie knows she was in a war this time, and doesn’t stick around to showboat, instead grabbing the title and heading up the ramp in short order. Cass Baumer steps out as Katie is walking up and tries to congratulate her, but the champion barely glances her way before brushing past, knocking shoulders with Cass. Looking after Kate, Cass shrugs and heads backstage again, looking slightly dejected.

Bernadette Olson: Still no love lost there, but another successful defense for Katie Anderson.

Jacob Frankel: The Beautiful One continues to impress, but something has to give with her and Cass.

There’s not a shred of fear or reverence in Clayton Kane as he steps up to the champion, looking him in the eye (which takes a head tilt to manage) and pointing at the title that the referee is holding up. To his credit, the Beggar King isn’t rattled either, nodding and listening to Clayton laying down the law. Grabbing the belt from Butch Grant, drawing the senior official’s ire, Eddy holds it up right in front of Kane to emphasize his intent to still be wearing it when the final bell tolls! Handing it over again, Eddy closes the last few inches of distance between himself and the challenger as Butch calls for the bell…


…and we’re underway! The two men lock up and right off the bat Eddy shows his power advantage, shoving Kane down to the mat with authority! The Radical backs toward the bottom rope, not wanting to take his eyes off Eddy for a moment! Eddy watches as Clayton rises and they lock up again. Not waiting for another power move, Clayton lunges upward, ramming the top of his head into Eddy’s chin! The champ is reeling and Clayton opens up the barrage with a series of knife-edge chops before backing Todd into the ropes and shooting him off, nailing a rolling forearm shot that rocks the champ! A running kick to the head knocks Eddy on his ass but a charging knee strike is ducked by the Beggar King, who gets an arm between Kane’s legs and pulls him over for a roll-up!


Kane is quick to fight his way out of the predicament but has no answer for a knee from the champion smashing into the side of his head! Pulled unsteadily to his feet, Clayton is shoved into the corner where Eddy follows with a pair of clotheslines. Hand on Clayton’s chest, Eddy motions for quiet before delivering a crushing chop to the chest that leaves Kane gasping for air briefly! Grabbed by the hair and shoved back against the buckles again, Clayton is bombarded by rights and lefts from the champion! Eddy backs off several steps but Clayton steps in when the champ charges, hoisting him up with what looks like a modified spinebuster and driving Eddy back-first into the buckles! From there, Eddy is kicked down into a sitting position before Kane lowers the boom with multiple right hands, forcing Butch Grant to get involved and break things up… though Kane doesn’t back off before spitting on the champion!

Eddy is wiping his face off as Butch chastises the recalcitrant Kane, and gets to his feet while the two men are jawing at one another. Butch is brushed past roughly and Clayton barely turns around in time to see the outstretched arm of the Beggar King coming at his chest! Kane actually gets his arms up to block the shot, but the clothesline still sends him hard to the canvas! Unrepentant, Eddy mounts Kane and blasts him with forearm shots to the head, one hand grasping the long hair of the Radical! Butch tries to break this up, too, but Eddy easily pulls free of his grip and keeps the blows coming until Butch finally counts and reaches four and three-quarters! Warned about disqualification, Eddy doesn’t even LOOK at Butch, instead grabbing Clayton and pulling him to his feet by the hair, driving a knee upwards into his face before grabbing him in a waistlock and powering him down with a big belly-to-belly, hooking the leg upon landing for a pin attempt!


Kane seems far from ready to call it quits, but Eddy keeps the pressure on, whipping him into the ropes and going for a big boot. Clayton ducks and puts on the brakes, dropping Todd with a back leg sweep and following up with a flipping leg drop for a quick one-count! Dropping an elbow to the heart, Clayton relies on his slightly-greater speed to keep Eddy down, hitting a second elbow and grinding the forearm across the bridge of the champion’s nose! Eddy’s hand shoots up the moment Kane backs up, though, grabbing the Radical around the throat and slowly getting to his feet! A thumb to the eye, though, stuns Todd, and Clayton is able to break the grip and deliver a jawbreaker! Todd stumbles into the ropes and Clayton shoots him to the far side, hoisting him up with surprising ease for a textbook spinebuster, rolling through and hooking the leg for a pin attempt!


Eddy breaks out but Clayton relentlessly keeps up the pressure, scoop-slamming Eddy and delivering a Flair-style rolling knee drop. Now stalking the champ, Clayton stays out of Eddy’s line of sight, no doubt setting up for a match-turning maneuver. When Todd is on his feet, Clayton delivers a backcracker, rolling Todd over and bracing a knee against his spine before clamping on a chinlock, trying to squeeze the energy out of the champ! Eddy starts breaking loose and Clayton immediately transitions into a crossface, fighting to stymie every attempt by Eddy at reaching the ropes! Butch Grant is right there, checking with Todd, who denies every opportunity to call it quits, gradually infuriating the challenger even more!

Eddy goes for the hand, trying to break Clayton’s grip, but in the end has to power him over for a pinning predicament! Clayton breaks out at two, though, and lays in some kicks to the ribs and head of the champion until, again, Butch Grant intervenes! Clayton will not be denied, though, folding Eddy up with an Oklahoma roll for another quick two-count! Eddy is a bit more forceful with his kick-out this time, though, and some straight rights down into the jaw of the champion barely seems to phase him. He inexorably rises and Clayton, put off by the lack of reaction, starts throwing big haymakers, trying to batter the champion down! Eddy is staggered, and a big right hook with momentum from the ropes makes him turn to the side, a bit of red dripping from his lip. Clayton winds up another but Todd snaps off a superkick out of nowhere, actually lifting Kane off his feet! The Radical lands hard and Eddy again snatches him up with both hands, hurling him into the buckles and spearing the ever-lovin’ out of the challenger, burying his shoulder into the man’s midsection! Clayton staggers out, gasping for breath, and Eddy lifts him up for the Execution (Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker)!


Showing his own resilience now, Clayton starts fighting back despite being put off by this sudden burst of energy and fury from the Beggar King! More wicked chops land against the chest of Eddy, who fires back with shots of his own! The two men batter one another with blistering strikes and Kane gets the better of it after several strokes! A kitchen sink knee doubles up the champion and Clayton cinches in the head, wanting to put Todd away here and now! Fighting out, Todd sends Kane into the buckles chest-first, following up with a body splash to crush the Radical against the padded steel. Up on Eddy’s shoulders now, Kane is taken up to the second rope, set up for the Fall From Grace (Avalanche Samoan Drop) but elbows his way out, actually dropping down behind Todd, whom he sends to the mat with a Razor’s Edge! Folding Todd up, Clayton tries to put this away…


…but Todd finds the wherewithal to kick out! He’s hurt, though, and Clayton can sense it. He drags a thumb across his throat and once more sets up to put Eddy away. Scooped up, Eddy hooks a leg over the ropes and stalls Clayton long enough to force a put-down so that the challenger has to take Eddy closer to the center of the ring. That moment is all Eddy needs to punch his way out of the facelock and grab Kane by the head, delivering Kingdom Come (Flatliner) to the challenger! Rolling over, Todd hooks the leg…


…and his first title defense is in the books!


Spirit Montego: Your winner… and STILL the Global Heavyweight Champion… EDDY TODD!

Clayton is still down, trying to shake off the effects of Kingdom Come, while Eddy gets to his feet and holds the title up high. Outside the ring, Mikaela Callaway is cheering him on, and he soon joins her to start heading up the ramp. Kane is back on his feet by this point and the frustration is palpable.

Bernadette Olson: Hell of a first defense for the champion. Clayton looks like he already wants another piece.

Jacob Frankel: There were times where I thought he might come through tonight, but Eddy’s too damn cagey.

Bernadette Olson: No substitute for experience, to be sure. But don’t be surprised to see Clayton in contention for more gold in the future.

In a rare moment of collusion, Duke and Samantha double-team Aiden, laying into him with kicks and strikes, leaving the young star with little recourse but to try and defend himself. He fights back against the two veterans but ends up hurled over the top rope by Duke! Catching himself on the apron, he rams a shoulder between the ropes into Duke’s midsection, but a triangle dropkick knocks him out of the sky as Aiden is preparing for a springboard! The crash to the floor is a hard one, leaving Aiden down and Forge looking on impassively as Duke quickly turns on Samantha, ending the brief team-up with a crushing lariat. Grabbing her up by the throat, Duke tosses Samantha hard into the buckles with both hands, charging in after her only to be met by a pair of boots to the chin! Samantha gets behind Andrews and puts all her might into an impressive German suplex, bridging up for a pin attempt!


Tolson is thrown off, but lands on her feet and drops down to mount Andrews, firing off right hands one after the other. Duke snares the arm and twists her into an armbar but Samantha is able to free herself, nearly taking Duke’s head off with a punt-style kick. He rolls with the impact, but it’s enough to stun him for a moment. Samantha pulls him up in search of another suplex but happens to look up just in time to see Aiden sailing off the top rope and yanking her into a sunset flip!


Samantha is quick to bolt up and out of the pin, but Morrow is right there with a snap DDT! A pin attempt is thwarted before the count of one by Duke, though, who yanks Morrow back by the hair and sends him to the mat! A running knee sends Aiden into the ropes and the Aerialist of Tomorrow spins through, coming up to his feet and ducking a right hand from the American Rebel! Another shoulder strike to the midsection and Aiden pounces onto the shoulders of Duke seemingly with a hurricanrana in mind… however, the big man turns it into a powerbomb! Folding Morrow up, Duke tries to put the match away…


…but Samantha breaks it up with a sunset flip of her own, straightening Duke up and costing him his grip on Morrow! Another charge ends with Tolson put down via a uranage, though this gives Morrow enough time to get to his feet and hit a shotgun dropkick, sending Duke into the ropes. More off-balance than hurt, Duke snatches a leaping Morrow up for an over-the-shoulder powerslam, but Morrow spins out and drives Duke down with a DDT, scrambling for a pin attempt…


…that’s broken up by Samantha! The Pretty Little Murder Machine heaves Morrow up and over with a German suplex, hangs on and changes her grip to deliver a Tiger suplex, then makes the trifecta by cinching on a full-nelson and hitting a bridged Dragon suplex!


Aiden is down still for several moments after the triple head-dumping he just received, and knowing this means Duke puts his focus into Sam. Having been kept at bay for most of the battle, Andrews is ready to unleash… and it starts with a crushing brainbuster to the Hardcore Queen of Suplex Nation, leaving her clutching her head on the mat. From there, a hard Irish whip into the ropes is followed by a clothesline only for Tolson to swing up into a crucifix hold, trying to bring Andrews down! Sam is swung into a side-slam attempt by Andrews but she holds on, putting him in a modified Fujiwara armbar instead! Duke’s hand hovers in the air, shaking, as he is nowhere near the ropes, but when it looks like he’s about to give up the ghost, Aiden soars in with a bulldog on Tolson, forcing the break and saving his chances!

He moves in to give Sam a taste of her own medicine with a vertical suplex, but Tolson counters out and hits a snap suplex of her own, floating over into a pin attempt.


Duke, still favoring the arm a little, shoves Sam off of Aiden and makes an attempt of his own!


A big elbow from Tolson, though, breaks this up! Morrow rolls to the ropes and heads out to the apron, hurting but waiting for his moment. As Tolson and Duke go from grappling to trading shots in the middle of the ring, Aiden leaps to the top rope and sails off for a double Flying Morrow Smash (Phenomenal Forearm), knocking both his opponents to the mat! All three are down and the fans are getting rowdy, with pretty clear sections for each of the participants! Aiden rises first, but Duke is close behind him, stunning Aiden with a headbutt and delivering the Andrews Effect (One-Winged Angel) on the high-flier! The pin is made…


…but broken up before what seemed to be an academic three-count! Aiden is still down as Tolson hits a facebuster and a sliding knee on Duke, trying to keep the American Rebel from regaining his feet. Tolson charges into a goozle but slips out before the chokeslam can be completed, whipping Duke around and booting him in the lower midsection, setting up the Beautiful Oblivion Rendezvous (Cross Rhodes) on Andrews! Driven into the mat, Andrews is left motionless as Sam makes the cover!


And right at the last moment, too! Tolson has had enough, though, and sends Morrow out of the ring and nearly right into Forge! The special enforcer for the evening, arms folded, stares down at the crumpled-up Morrow, then shoots a look in Tolson’s direction. Samantha barely reacts… until Duke gets to his feet behind her and scoops her up for a backdrop driver! He folds up Tolson for a pin attempt!


But it isn’t quite enough to keep her down! She rolls from the ring herself, creating some distance, but barely turns in time to see Aiden charging her way! On his last burst of energy, he leaps to the steps and runs along the apron, sailing off at Tolson for a short-range Flying Morrow Smash! Both are down on the outside now with the enforcer looking on. Duke leaves the ring now, surveying the damage. He locks eyes with Forge for a moment but nothing comes of it; instead, he gathers up Tolson and sets up to drop her across the barricade, leaving her reeling from the impact. Aiden is next, but instead of dropping him, Andrews sends him into the barrier with an Irish whip, seemingly trying to make him crash into Forge in the process! The big man steps aside, though, and upon noticing that the referee’s count is up to eight, gestures for Zach Young to cease counting! This match is going to have a proper finish!

Duke, smirking, grabs up Morrow and sends him into the ring, but finds himself attacked by Tolson before he can re-enter himself! Tolson drives him into the apron and follows him into the ring, putting the boots to Duke as Aiden is still trying to regain his feet. Beautiful Oblivion Rendezvous is set up a second time and for a second time Duke has his head driven hard to the canvas! Tolson turns around and is met by an enzuigiri from Morrow! Whipping her into the corner, Morrow follows with a shining wizard and Tolson is down! Aiden ascends to the top, but a still-in-the-game Duke falls into the ropes, causing Morrow to crotch himself! Duke picks up Sam and sets up the Andrews Effect, moving in for the pin!


The extra moments needed for Duke to hit his finisher were enough for Morrow to rise up and hit his own! Beneath the two men on impact, Sam is nearly unconscious! Aiden rolls Duke off Tolson and goes for the pin!


Spirit Montego: Your winner… and the new number one contender for the Global Heavyweight Championship… AIDEN MORROW!

He almost can’t believe it himself… and Duke Andrews damn sure can’t! Morrow quickly rolls from the ring, putting some distance between himself and his opponents, including a frustrated Samantha Tolson still outside the ring!

Bernadette Olson: Snatching victory from the jaws of defeat tonight is the Aerialist of Tomorrow, Jacob! But now he has an even taller task before him!

Jacob Frankel: And speaking of…

Aiden backs up the ramp, his arms raised, but pauses when “Save Yourself” starts to play and Eddy Todd comes out onto the stage, flanked by Mikaela Callaway! Aiden turns to face the champion, who gives him the slow clap. Aiden looks between the two, then over his shoulder, before extending his hand to Eddy out of respect. The Beggar King accepts and the crowd eats it up!

Bernadette Olson: The main event for Fall of Man looks to be all set: Eddy Todd defending against Aiden Morrow!

It looks, though, like Duke Andrews wants to make something of this. He leaves the ring on the ramp side, stalking up the incline, but before he gets too close to champion and challenger, Forge gets in the big man’s way. Andrews doesn’t think much of this, but Forge doesn’t say a word or touch Andrews; he merely blocks his path. The two stare one another down for several moments…

Jacob Frankel: The Chief of Security is serious about no funny business, isn’t he?

Bernadette Olson: Damn sure is! But that’s all the time we have for tonight, fans! See you in two weeks for Vanguard #5!