The crowd seemed to be into the arrival of Cassius Reed, taking in the spirit of the Funky Dragon. A chant followed him down, which does well to spark that charismatic spirit out of him. As he strutted around in the ring, he did take on a serious air as he awaited the former 4CW Ignition Champion. The last time that the two fought one another, it was at the Shooting Star Wrestling Alliance 2017 Young Guns Cup. Cassius left with the victory that day, but he knew the danger that DeMarcus Gresham presented. 

DeMarcus’ entrance is hailed with a similar response, but mostly out of respect for the ripped genius. He soaked in the cheers, taking the new environment in, before giving everyone a smile. As he made it into the ring, people began to bow to the Enlightened one, if only out of the theatrics of it all. Regardless, DeMarcus took solace in the fact before turning his attention on Cassius. The two stared at each other, feeling the rekindling of their understated rivalry. 

The bell rang shortly afterwards with the crowd on their feet. Cassius started the match off with a good old round of smack talking. His words were clearly intended to get under DeMarcus’ skin and rile him up. However, The Funky Dragon’s plan didn’t go accordingly as DeMarcus simply shook his head. The big man suddenly charged with amazing speed and knocked Cassius to the mat with a shoulder tackle. Cassius’ eyes got wide as he began to understand his opponent’s power and the gravity of this situation that he was in. This caused Cassius to spring back to his feet and get into a boxing. DeMarcus smirked and did so as well. It wasn’t long before the two began trading punches. Cassius worked his jab and focused on staying mobile, while DeMarcus went the counter-fighting route. They traded shots until DeMarcus easily avoided a wild jab and caught Cassius on the chin with a right cross. Cassius dropped to the mat but immediately rolled onto to his stomach to avoid being pinned. DeMarcus spent a few moments trying to lock on a submission, but Plan C was able to slip out. Cassius was then able to flip DeMarcus and mount him. DeMarcus tried to use his arms to block as Cassius rained down punches. It took the referee’s four-count to break up Cassius’ onslaught.

When DeMarcus got up, the clear disdain the two shared came out. In DeMarcus’ case, it came out with a powerful shove to the turnbuckle. He prevented Cassius from moving by shoving his hand into Cassius’ face. After which, he unleashed absolute hell in the form of a boxing combo that almost had no end. He drew blood before the referee pulled him away. DeMarcus glared down at Cassius and yanked him off the mat and into the ground with a Biel Throw. Cassius got some air from it and crashed on his back, rolling to alleviate pressure. DeMarcus was hot on his trail, picking him up and hitting a Butterfly Suplex. Cassius howled out in pain but slowly got to his feet. Seeing DeMarcus looming over him, Cassius threw punches into DeMarcus’ gut, forcing the Enlightened One to back off. A jawbreaker followed and Cassius added a rising uppercut for good measure. Though, overzealous as he is, Cassius saw a chance to go for a Pimp Slap. Unfortunately, DeMarcus grabbed his wrist before the disrespectful move made contact. 

Cassius pleaded with DeMarcus to let him go, but the big guy was tired of his antics. See no other choice, Cassius used his free hand to poke DeMarcus in the eyes. The cheap move blinded the bigger man for an opponent. Cassius used that opportunity to grab ahold of DeMarcus and hit him with an inverted facelock backbreaker. He then spun and muscled DeMarcus down with another neckbreaker. Cassius then went for the cover. The referee counts to three before DeMarcus tosses his opponent off of him. Cassius quickly got to his feet and kicked DeMarcus in the ribs. He then spun around, leaped into the air, and connected with the Funky Knee, Funky Do (standing moonsault knee drop). Cassius went for the pin once again, but DeMarcus kicked out.

Cassius measured, waiting for his foe to get up before going for the Funkensteiner. DeMarcus’ power came back into play as he caught Cassius when he tried to send him down. The crowd realized that Royal might be on its way, but Cassius saw a chance to survive. With a straight punch to the eye, Cassius was able to get out of DeMarcus’ grip. 

Like in their EXODUS draw, the two threw out a strike. Cassius with Southpaw (Knockout Punch) and DeMarcus, though blinded, with Determination (Yakuza Kick). They collided, but DeMarcus’ lack of coordination led him not getting the full brunt of the kick. When he collapsed to the mat, Cassius hit Plan C (Split-Legged Corkscrew Moonsault) to end the match! 

WINNER: Cassius Reed via Pinfall (Plan C)

This was an interesting affair. Scarlett received an amazing ovation from the crowd as she made her way to the ring; she seemed energized and ready to go. Ms. Stokes? Her reaction was mixed, but there seemed to be a few more cheers than jeers. Instead of blazing down the entrance ramp (per usual), she exhibited a nice saunter. Scarlett extends her hand after both competitors had entered the ring. Nina looked her in the eyes for a moment, but soon extended her hand as well and shook Scarlett’s. 

The bell rang. Everyone in the crowd was expecting an Autobahn start to the match, given both wrestler’s history and styles. They received quite the opposite actually. Nina, in particular, was very deliberate and methodical in her approach as the duo engaged in a bit of chain wrestling. Nina maintained the advantage for a while, but Scarlett showed off crisp counters and fluid transitions. The chain-wrestling went on a while until Scarlett broke free of Nina’s grasp and put some distance between the two. Scarlett backed off and stood back to her feet; Nina did the same. A swift striking exchange ensued. Scarlett laid in European uppercuts while Nina responded with thunderous forearms. The momentum swung in Nina’s favor when she delivered a series of elbows in rapid succession; she then shot herself into the ropes. Whatever violent attempt Nina had in mind was interrupted by a basement dropkick to the knee. Scarlett fired in a soccer ball kick to Nina’s spine before she hit the ropes herself. Scarlett rebounded and blasted Nina with a single-leg dropkick to the face. The young woman went for the pin but was only able to get a two-count.

Scarlett continued cooking for a bit. She nearly squashed Nina with a leaping senton; she then followed it up with a Lionsault. Scarlett went for the cover, but she got another two-count. Upon making it to their feet, Scarlett charged at Nina. But Nina countered by tossing her leg over Scarlett’s head, spinning, and blasting the young woman in the face with her knee. The young woman’s legs buckled a bit. A disorientated Scarlett has quickly spun around and planted with a nifty bridging German suplex. Scarlett was able to kick out at the count of two. Scarlett then caught a thudding shoot kick to the chest and a front push-kick to the mush. Nina followed up her barrage by shooting herself into the ropes and connecting with a nasty running roundhouse. 

Nina spent the next few minutes working submissions to tire out Scarlett and keep her grounded. At one point, she locked in a triangle choke. Scarlett certainly thought about tapping out, but she fought through the pain and made it to the ropes. The two stood to a vertical base and fought on. It wasn’t long before Scarlett was able to drill her opponent with a sharp windmill kick. Nina rolled underneath the bottom ropes, but there was no rest for the weary on the outside. Scarlett leaped over the top rope and landed the apron; she then ran, leaped off, and cracked Nina with a Meteora. The move received a loud applause from the fans. With her eyes still on the prize, Scarlett picked Nina up and rolled her into the ring. Scarlett then made her way to the top rope. It wasn’t long before she soared through the air with a picture perfect 450 splash. After connecting, Scarlett went for the cover. She would have likely won the match right there had Nina not gotten her left shoulder up.

The match went on a little while longer with Scarlett in control. She hit Nina with a seated cross-body but forewent the cover. Instead, she rolled onto the ring apron. As Nina rose up to her feet, Scarlett sprung up to and turned on the top rope. She flew backward with a beautiful moonsault press. Scarlet managed to grab ahold of Nina’s neck in midair. Scarlett landed on her feet and attempted to plant Ms. Stokes with a reverse DDT. Using her wits, Nina pried at her arms and broke free. Nian pivoted and blasted Scarlett in the chest with a sick headbutt before she dropped her to the mat with a wicked STO. Scarlett was slow to get to her feet. But when she did, she was met with a rising knee to the chin. The young woman showed great resolve and remained on her feet. Nina took a step back, planted her left foot, and clocked her opponent with a hook kick. But Scarlett remained on her feet! Well, Nina leaped into the air and drilled her with a bicycle knee to the face. That dropped her. Nina went for the cover, but Scarlett kicked out just in the nick of time. That caused the crowd to go crazy.

Ms. Stokes went on a heavy offensive after that sequence. She peppered a downed Scarlett with kicks and slaps until rose up and hit Nina in the jaw with a punch. The shot rocked Nina, but it also caused her to smirk. Nina brought forth an onslaught of palm strikes. She tried to find solace in the corner and retaliate with a few shots of her own, but Nina’s sudden ferocity overwhelm her prowess was too much her to handle. The flurry went one for a couple more seconds. Nina feigned on last palm strike, but then caught Scarlett with a rolling sole-butt to the sternum. She then yorked Scarlett up and dropped her with a wild Saito suplex. That’s when Nina sensed the end. She quickly rushed in and looked to nail Scarlett with Amidst the Shadow of Sorrows III (Boma-Ye knee strike). But Scarlett countered with a Japanese arm drag that launched Nina into the turnbuckles. Nina used the corner and the ropes to make it to her feet—she received a running European uppercut for her troubles. Scarlett hit the ropes and returned with a high knee. This caused Nina to stumble out of the corner. Scarlett ran the ropes and planted her opponent with Scarlett Fever (Back Handspring Cutter). Scarlett went for the cover and got the three-count! 

WINNER: Scarlett via Pinfall (Scarlett Fever)

This match was ridiculously high paced as each wrestler tried to go for kill-shots early on. A jumping knee narrowly missed Lisa’s head. Lauren ducked a swift roundhouse. Lauren later missed a discus clothesline and got caught with a handstand headscissors. Lisa’s dragon suplex attempt was crushed when Lauren drove the back of her head into her face and then planted her opponent with a snap DDT. Lauren went for a cover, but Lisa got her shoulder up off the ground. Ms. Wolfe quickly transitioned into a seated armbar. Lisa’s yells could be heard throughout the arena. But instead of giving up, Lisa gritted her teeth and slowly crawled over to the ropes. Lauren immediately broke her hold, but Lisa held onto that arm for a bit. 

Lisa’s arm became the focal point of the match from there on out. Lauren would go on the attack, Lisa would fight back, only for Ms. Wolfe to deck her in the arm about repeat the process. Lauren tried to go for a guillotine choke at one point, but Lisa was sly and was able to slip out of it. Nonetheless, Lauren kicked out her right knee and transitioned into a triangle armbar. Lauren cranked on that hurt arm even more as Lisa screamed out. Instead of going for the ropes, Lisa used her body position and leverage to press Lauren’s shoulders against the mat. This forced her to release Lisa’s arm. Lauren then charged at Lisa once both of the women had made it to their feet. She looked to hit a STO, but Lisa connected with a desperation roundhouse. A leg-sweep dropped Lauren to the mat. Ms. Seldon rushed in and blasted her with a dropkick to the face. She went for the pinfall, but Lauren quickly kicked out. 

Lauren got with a Northern Lights suplex a few moments later, but much of its impact was lost due to Lisa’s weakened state. The story of the match soon became, “how would Lisa Seldon adapt her game plan?” Lisa’s answer was to mix ingenuity and speed. She stunned Lauren with a one-armed jawbreaker before she shot herself into the ropes and connected with a penalty kick. Lauren tried to rise to her feet, but sliding dropkick kept her on the mat. Before her opponent could move out of the way, Lisa jumped into the air and did a frontflip; she drove her knees into Lauren’s sternum on the way down. Lisa then went for the pin, but Lauren kicked out at two.

The momentum swung in Lauren’s favor when she delivered a thunderous chop to Lisa’s hurt arm. A forearm caught Lisa on the side of the neck before Lauren spun around and blasted her with a discus clothesline. Lisa was quick to spring back up to her feet, only to get dropped by an exploder suplex. Lauren went for the cover, but Lisa was able to bridge out of the pin. Upon getting to her feet, Lisa booped Lauren with her good arm before she hit the ropes. Unfortunately for Ms. Seldon, Lauren rushed in and caught her with a knee to the stomach. She then grabbed Lisa and powered her down with an Uranage backbreaker. Lisa tried to roll away, but Lauren stopped her and went for the cover. She would have won if Lisa hadn’t gotten her foot on the ropes.

Lisa fired back with a couple of forearm strikes during the closing of the match. She then ran and leaped up to the top rope. She flipped back with a beautiful no-hand Asai moonsault. Lauren saw the maneuver coming and rolled forward as Ms. Seldon soared past her. Lisa landed her feet—and then she got drilled with a roundhouse. Lauren then grabbed her and drove her to the mat with a German suplex. The crowd went wild for the Territorial Mark as Lauren bridged into a pin. Lisa got her shoulder up at the last possible second. Lisa rolled away and tried to rest in the corner as Lauren got to her feet. Ms. Wolfe blazed and tried to murder Lisa with the EA, When Will Dragon Age 4 Come Out (high-speed bicycle knee). But Lisa moved out of the way, which caused Lauren to hit the turnbuckle pad and collapse in the corner. Lisa found herself back on her feet. She hit the ropes and rebounded with the Horror Pop (running double knee strike). Lauren crawled out of the corner and into Lisa's waiting boot as The Man Opener (overhead roundhouse kick to grounded) connected. Lisa went for the pin and got the pinfall!

WINNER: Lisa Seldon via Pinfall (The Man Opener)

The match never began.

Irina Onegin and Will Neilson did make their entrances, and everything was on the status quo. However, Irina’s expression drew everyone to the conclusion that something was up. Neilson caught up, but before he could try to prepare himself, the audience began to migrate. A few members of the crowd came forward, producing different theatric masks and putting them over their faces. They all surrounded the ring, ensuring that Neilson couldn’t escape. Neilson, seeing the writing on the wall, glared at Irina and charged for her. He managed to overwhelm the woman until the masked crowd members rushed the ring, attacking him with furious purpose. 

As they did, the crowd began to react to a new development. Heading over the barricade, a hulking man, standing easily above 6’9” entered the premises. Taking his time, he entered the ring next, sizing up the attacking group. They dispersed, leaving Neilson on the mat, who was barely able to move. As the man bent down to pick Neilson up, a low blow was the reply he got. It did enough to give Neilson some leeway to escape the ring and some distance from the masked assailants. Unfortunately, he did not see the pink haired woman creeping from behind the bellkeep’s area. 

With the ring bell in hand, she cracked Neilson in the back of the head. It wasn’t long after that she sent him into the ring and the clutches of Irina and the giant that stood next to her. From the ground, with one hand, the huge man heaved Neilson up and down with a chokeslam before letting Irina get her turn. The unknown man graciously aligned Neilson up for Irina to strike him down with The Graceful Dahila. After which, the pink haired woman, the giant, and Irina all surrounded the unconscious man. 

In unison, they and the masked attackers all crossed their arms over their chest with devil horns raised. 

And then the screen became oversaturated with static. 

Skylynn bared her teeth and tugged on the ropes, a raw intensity for the woman across the ring from her. Meanwhile, Salem’s eyes narrowed at Skylynn, matching the deep-seeded displeasure with a more withdrawn reaction. Nevertheless, Salem bounced on her feet for a moment before the two ran at one another. The two clashed with punches to one another’s jaw, sending them back. The crowd was shockingly behind the raw violence of two people who didn’t see eye-to-eye and wanted to jab their opponent’s eye out. It didn’t do little to change the high-velocity battle commencing in the center of the ring. Skylynn took advantage, taking Salem by the hair mid-contact. She pummeled Salem with closed fists to the face before sending her into the mat with a biel throw. A running knee drop right into the chest and throat of the FGA United States Champion. While keeping her knee there, Skylynn dropped more punches down on Salem, getting an early first blood, but Salem threw her hand up, shoving something into Skylynn’s face.

A little pixie dust from her bag of magical tricks. 

Skylynn fell off Salem, who turned the advantage into a barrage of chest stomps, kicks, and finally a vicious Penalty Kick that almost sent her off course. Skylynn writhed on the mat, but Salem didn’t seem to care, running off the turnbuckle. Some elevation made the falling knee drop hurt worse, stealing the air out of Skylynn’s lungs. With her debilitated, Salem kept bringing knees down before she decided to get Skylynn the fuck out of the ring. She sent her into the ropes, but Skylynn wouldn’t go. A back elbow brought Salem away, but she came back twice as worse, sending the two over the top rope with a Cactus Clothesline. Salem took the worst of it, hitting her ribs on the ring apron. Biting her teeth and wiping the blood from her nose, Salem pushed through the pain and smacked the taste of Skylynn’s mouth with a bloodstained slap. Skylynn turned around, trying to spit at Salem. Salem ducked under it and hit a low dropkick to Skylynn’s knee. The Australian fell to the steel steps. Salem pointed at the back of Sky’s head and followed up with a knee to the back of the head.

But it only met steel. 

Skylynn evaded and laughed at Salem, who fell to the ground, clutching her knee. Skylynn fished under the ring for a weapon, producing a kendo stick. Salem used the ring apron to stand, but Skylnn sent her back to the ground by smacking the kendo stick to the back of the hurt knee. Salem hit the ground and Sky saw her advantage shining clearly. She took Salem’s leg and placed against the ring apron before letting out a barrage of kendo stick shots at the knee. Salem grabbed under the ring and pulled herself under it, just to escape. Skylynn got down close and a white spray came out, sending her back in a hurry. Salem came out with a fire extinguisher. She dropped it, opting to run at Skylynn and dove onto her. The crowd was up in hysterics as Salem laid fists into the disrespectful girl that she took in. 

Yet, it all came to an abrupt end. Salem pried her hand away from something, revealing a thin sliver of blood as Skylynn countered the punches in the worst way possible. With blood crawling down her lip, Skylynn caught one of Salem’s punches and bit down on a finger. Salem got up, cursing under her breath. Skylynn got to a kneeling position and jolted out, taking out the hurt knee again. With Salem down, Sky took a hold of Salem’s hair and neck and sent her careening into the barricade. Skylynn went back over to the fire extinguisher, heading over to Salem with an egotistical cackle. She unleashed the contents onto Salem, who blocked her face and mouth, but she coughed all the way to her feet. Skylynn aimed and came at the back of the knee again with the fire extinguisher. Salem dug deep and leaped over the ruthless chop block attempt. When Sky turned around, Salem threw out a superkick attempt, but Skylynn blocked it.

Too bad it was a feint. Salem brought her knee up into Skylynn’s gut before popping her again with a step-up knee. Skylynn retreated back off the momentum, holding her nose. Blood seeped in between her fingers, leading to the commentary table thinking that Salem might have broken her nose. In any case, Skylynn had gotten closer to the bellkeep’s area. Salem took the time to nurse the leg, stretching it out and tapping it against the barricade. Bouncing on it for a few times, Salem reaffirmed that it was better now, or at least operable. She made her move towards Skylynn, but didn’t see her. Smarter than the average bear, she didn’t head directly to peek around. However, she saw Skylynn stand up with a steel chair in hand. She threw it at Salem, but it was an easy dodge. However, it was a fake out and Skylynn came in with a superkick attempt. Salem, however, took hold of the nearest object and threw into the line of the fire, cobbling Sky’s leg with...a TV monitor. Skylynn screamed out in pain as she was forced to hobble around for dear life. Salem grabbed hold of her foe and dragged her to the announcer’s table, bashing her bloody head against it. That let her put Skylnn on top of the table and ascend it. 

She tried to pick Skylynn up, but dead weight prevented her from doing it. So instead, she kept pushing her good knee into Skylynn’s head before being to heave up into a suplex position. Skylynn wriggled out and fell behind her. Salem turned around and clocked Skylynn with a backfist, nearly knocking her off the table. She caught Skylynn quickly enough, hooked her, and sent her off the table with an Exploder Suplex--RIGHT INTO THE CHAIR AT RINGSIDE! The nasty collison brought a harsh reaction out of the crowd, mostly because of the reckless impact. Salem looked over at Skylynn and took a breath. She dove into the pile of metal with a double foot stomp right into the heart of Skylynn Reed! It was a move that brought some damage back to the knee, but it was devastating to Skylynn, who writhed on the ground. Salem brought her up and sent her into the ring. 

Looking at the unmoving Skylynn, Salem reached under and produced a steel chair and a burlap sack. She re-entered the ring and positioned the chair over the spine of Skylynn Reed. Salem unleashed hell, striking Skylynn in the back, which brought a howl out of her. Blood was staining Skylynn’s teeth and her eyes were closed in agony as Salem kept punishing her until she merely set up the chair. Taking a seat, Salem looked down at Skylynn, who was beginning to muster up the strength to continue. Salem nodded and got out of the chair, moving to collect Skylynn by force. It was time in her mind to end it.

Hijack Kevorkian (Spinning Lifting Double Underhook Facebuster)!

But Skylynn had it scouted. She shoved Salem off her and tried to get Salem into a Full Nelson, possibly looking for the neckbreaker out of it. Salem resisted by driving the back of her head into Skylynn’s already damaged nose. While Sky recovered, Salem picked her up on her shoulders and dropped her with a Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker. Salem only replaced her knee with the seat of the steel chair, causing Skylynn to sprawl out on the mat. She went for the pin.

BUT ONLY GOT A TWO COUNT!

The crowd cried out in shock. Salem shook her head, knowing that she had to rely on what was in the sack to win. Dumping out the contents, the ring twinkled with the macabre introduction of thumbtacks and staples. Salem looked to Skylynn again, walking over to her. When she went down to pick her up, Skylynn headbutted her and shoved her away. Salem came back faster than Skylynn thought, but the former UKWF Champion hurled the closest thing into Salem’s face--the steel chair her neck collided with. Salem caught it, a display of unbelievable reflexes, but Skylynn hit her with a superkick, forcing the steel into the unbeknownst US Champion’s face. Skylynn went for the cover.

BUT SALEM GETS THE SHOULDER UP AT TWO!

Skylynn screamed at the referee, looking more so desperate--to prove herself and put Salem away. Next option was more sinister. Skylynn collected the chair, set it up, and took Salem into her grip. 

JUMPING PILEDRIVER ONTO THE CHAIR!

Another cover--ANOTHER KICKOUT!

Skylynn dug her hands into her hair and got up, looking around the ring. Salem began to stir during this and Skylynn was none the wiser. When she turned around, Salem sparked to life, striking Skylynn across the jaw with the New Hampshire Handshake (Leaping Elbow Strike). Skylynn fell into the ropes and under the ring apron, but before she could fall, Salem grabbed her by the leg and pulled into the ring. Skylynn, in her haze, wrapped her arms around the ropes. 

Salem, her eyes wide with frustration, reached down to grab Skylynn by the head.

That was the trap.

Skylynn hit Salem with a low blow, sending the FGA US Champion to a kneeling position. Skylynn didn’t waste time. She didn’t care what she had to do. With a rather malicious grin, she ran in and leaped up.

DRIVING SALEM’S HEAD INTO THE THUMBTACKS AND STAPLES WITH A CURB STOMP!

For Someone’s Glory did the trick and Skylynn fell into the cover. The three count came and Skylynn Reed got her so-called revenge on Salem.

WINNER: Skylynn Reed via Pinfall (For Someone’s Glory on Thumbtacks)

Savannah took control of the match early on by dictating the pace and tempo. She rolled underneath an elbow attempt and dropped Anna with a head scissors. Savannah then shot herself into the ropes and rebounded with a dropkick. She went for the pin, up it was far too early to put Anna away. After making it bake to a vertical base, Savannah connected with a sunning shooting star press, followed by a standing moonsault. She went for another pin, but Anna quickly kicked out. Savannah started to become a bit frustrated, but she continued her attack. Savannah maintained control of the match for a few more minutes until she whipped Anna into the ropes and went for a dropkick. To her surprise, Anna held onto the ropes instead of rebounding, which caused Savannah to faceplant on the mat. Anna then rushed in a caught her opponent with a knee to the face. Anna went for the pin, but Savannah kicked out. The momentum swung towards Anna as she used her superior striking to deal out some punishment. A stiff body shot drove the air out of Savannah’s lung. Anna then transitioned her into a clinch and killed her with a knee to the sternum. Savannah was then spun around and dropped with a neckbreaker. Anna went for the cover; Savannah got a shoulder up.

Giovanna got up quickly, knowing she didn’t have much time to keep Savannah down. Rushing to the corner, Anna waited for Savannah to get up, seeing her chance to get a win over a woman that she knows well. She looked down at her elbow, seeing the gold shine of her elbow pad. For a moment, she reached for it, but when she saw Savannah get up, she went in for the KO Punch. Savannah telegraphed it and brought Anna down with the Desert Rose (Spinning Backfist). Anna laid on the ground for a moment before trying to get to her feet. Her struggles was met with sympathy from the crowd, but Savannah knew what had to be done.

SIREN’S SONG (Scissored DDT) CONNECTS! 

The three-count came and Savannah got a relatively quick win. She got up with a bit of a pep in her step, knowing that her win would give her some momentum heading into her cage match against Jo McFarlane at FFW’s Sin and Sacrifice. As she celebrated, Anna, on the other hand, abandoned the ring. She held her jaw, but still carried a look of not anguish, but disappointment. She shook her head and didn’t look back as she left the arena.

WINNER: Savannah Taylor via Pinfall (Siren’s Song)

Lady Magdalena started the match off with a single-leg takedown. Atwater hadn’t necessarily been overpowered; more so, he was just surprised that his opponent would have to gall to shoot in on him. From there, Lady Magdalena tried her best to beat Atwater at his game—submissions. Lady Magdalena worked her way into a position to hit a number of moves. A STF. A couple of armbars. A lock-lock. Atwater must not have been feeling her attempts to best him, as he easily countered each move. It wasn’t until she hit a rolling kneebar that things really got serious. Atwater tried to work his way out of it, but it was snitched in quite deeply. He found relief by grabbing onto the bottom rope. Lady Magdalena then hammered Atwater with strikes as he made it to his feet. She caught him with a nasty kick to his left leg and followed up with a rolling elbow. Atwater was able to swat her arm away and counter with a starch European uppercut. He then grabbed her and drove her to the mat with an armdrag. From there, he effortlessly turned her over and transitioned into a Fujiwara armbar. Lady Magdalena screamed out as Atwater cranked back on that arm. Though, she didn’t tap. Lady Magdalena was finally able to get her boot on the bottom rope.

The last HKW Global Champion got out the hold, but right when Atwater gave her some room, Magdalena captured his leg into a heel hook. Atwater was now the one at the mercy of his opponent, but he was on the other side of the ropes. Turning onto his stomach gave him the ability to push up off the ground. One leg became the stabilizing factor and he got to a standing position. Magdalena’s grip was troublesome, but with some turning, Atwater was able to get out of the hold. It became the game of targeting limbs. Atwater continued his arm work until Magdalena was able to counter with kicks to the same leg. She occasionally switched legs until Shane hobbled around the mat. A smirk dawned on the Global Champion’s face--but Atwater fired back with some strong grappling of his own. Snap Belly to Belly Suplex, a Snap German Suplex, and an European Uppercut.

Shane Atwater’s choice of moves was built upon the leg damage instilled. His stoic expression hardly changed, but the camera caught glimmers of the pain that faded quickly. Magdalena’s aches and pains are more apparent as she climbed towards the turnbuckle. Atwater came charging in with a forearm strike, but Magdalena scouted the move, knowing that his moveset was slowly limiting itself to only non-power moves. Her smile showed such as she went low and trapped his leg in the ropes. A hard kick to the leg sent the SVW Champion onto the ground, where she followed up with Whitechapel’s Fall (Knee Drop Bulldog)! She went for the cover and got a two count, but it doesn’t deter her. The match went back into her favor, no longer depending on the damage dealt to his leg. Atwater weathered the storm, taking a high knee under the chin. 

He only had to stay awake. He had to grit his teeth. He had to wait for his opening.

It came to him as he threw himself into Magdalena’s guard, where she tried for a shoulder hip toss. Atwater stopped himself from falling by planting a foot behind hers. He brought her down to the ground before she had a chance to counter and dropped his knees onto her arm. He bridged a chickenwing hold, but Magdalena’s long legs played to her favor. She caught the bottom rope and Atwater got away, but the damage was done. She nursed her arm with a glare towards her opponent. Atwater rushed her down, not leaving her the chance to recover. Magdalena wasn’t one to fall for such pageantries, evading his attempt. When Atwater turned, Magdalena’s boot met his cheek again, but Atwater wouldn’t be denied. Though he stumbled, his arms wrapped around her leg before a slick transition brought Magdalena down into the Crucible. 

Magdalena had just realized her dream. She stood on top of the world, even for a moment. She couldn’t allow Atwater to just pollute her moment like this, no matter how strong he was.

Magdalena rolled over him, hitting the ropes again, the smartest clean break of the match. This time, Atwater got up into a rising knee from Magdalena, knocking him to the mat. Seeing her chance, she started to chain Atwater, who was still thrown off from the sudden impact, into the The Merovingian Crucifix. However, as soon as she thought she had him trapped, Atwater hooked his hands together and came up and down. The impact scared the crowd, but it did enough to let Atwater escape his doom--Parabola (Wrist Clutch Olympic Slam) broke the hold. He didn’t hit the way he would exactly want, but it was a desperate measure. 

The SVW Champion rose to his feet, collecting air again, and he looked back to Magdalena. 

Magdalena had gotten to her feet, out of instinct, but she held onto the turnbuckle for support.

As the two advanced again, the referee got between them.

Time limits got in the way.

Atwater and Magdalena both continued to stare at one another, knowing that there was nothing to be done. The Global Champion was the first to leave, nursing her arm. Though she kept her back to the camera, it moved around her to reveal the small smile on her face. If that meant anything, it was that the match would one day have a conclusion. Atwater, in the ring, nodded, feeling the same sentiment in his ever subdued way. 

The end of Night One had arrived with the crowd waiting in anticipation. The last match might have tired them out a little, but the crowd understood what coming forth. A career was coming to an end tonight with a match that was sure to appease critics and casual fans alike. Even the waiting for who would come out first was something to be tense over. Yet, the answer to the question came shortly after it rested in the audience’s mind.

The ever familiar sound of an organ played by Jon Lord brought the fans to their feet. A special treat if one would say so. 

The bombastic guitar that followed got a roar from the crowd. Coming out to “Perfect Strangers” by Deep Purple, possibly the most synonymous song to the newly crowned FGA International Heavyweight Champion, Chandler Scott smirked at the arena rocking reaction he received. Touting the new fifteen pounds of gold around his waist, Chandler looked around the arena, basking in the adoration and respect a superstar of his status demands.

Chandler was in the ring, pacing around. Taking off the championship, he climbed onto the middle turnbuckle, raising the championship high above his head. The pride radiating off him is intoxicating, bringing the crowd to their loudest volume once more. As Chandler lowered himself off the ropes, he heard his music fade out and the crowd’s attention turned to another...his opponent.

The crowd stopped their chant in lieu of cheers as the lights in the arena went dark. The introduction of Nipsey Hussle - Down As A Great ft. Kirko Bangz began, leading to a cobra being superimposed on the entranceway. As it pulsated, Emilio Vialpando made his way out for the last time. The crowd cheered louder than they did for Chandler, notably out of the respect for the storied career of one of HKW’s journeymen. El Serpiente stood with an air of tension in himself, his head lowered. When he rose it, the seriousness present on his face told the story. His last match was waiting before him, and he locked eyes with it. Chandler Scott returned the stare and nodded, already knowing what awaited.

Emilio’s walk to the ring didn’t reflect anything but a man heading into the main event. A man defined by his actions to stay at the top, but reinforced by his performances, Emilio felt the essence of the capacity crowd and slid under the bottom rope. There was no Tony Capone tonight. Emilio walked into his final battle alone and he was beyond comfortable with that. As the music died down, a split chant came to replace the theme.

The last time that such a chant might ever be brought up made Emilio smile a tad, but it vanished as soon as his eyes landed back on Chandler Scott. Chandler gave his championship to a stagehand and walked up to Emilio, offering a hand to him. Emilio stared down at it, where the crowd knew what prior deeds he had done. However, in this instance, nothing remained and Emilio shook Chandler’s hand, sparking another cheer as the two went to their opposing corners.

The bell rung and the crowd went silent.

Chandler and Emilio paced in a circle around the ring, closing their distance slightly with each rotation. They locked up and Chandler’s weight advantage came into effect. With minor difficulty, Chandler was able to push Emilio into the corner and hold him there. He let go before the count began, even before the referee thought of it and brought Emilio’s head down into an European Uppercut. The crowd recoiled from the impact, but Emilio reversed his position with Chandler. He replied to Chandler’s uppercut with a Knife Edge Chop, causing a similar reaction from the crowd. Reversal from Chander, another European Uppercut, reversal from Emilio, another Knife Edge Chop. The two went back and forth until Emilio pushed Chandler out of the corner. 

Chandler and Emilio locked up again and Chandler’s wrestling background came into play. He got Emilio quickly into a reverse waist lock and tried to trip his legs to take the back. Emilio didn’t go, where his experience facing an opponent with an amateur background. When Chandler dropped low, Emilio put his weight down and countered Chandler’s attempt into a headlock. Chandler couldn’t and didn’t waste time getting back to his feet and shoved Emilio into the ropes. Emilio ducked underneath a clothesline attempt, but Chandler was hot to follow him. Emilio tried to stop his momentum, but Chandler scouted him through the process and hit him with a Kitchen Sink. Emilio doubled over, got pulled off the ropes, and brought down with a Snap Gutwrench Suplex. 

Chandler stayed on Emilio for a good portion of the opening five minutes. Emilio’s counters were crisp, but Chandler had an answer to the predicaments that Emilio tried to force him into. Double Knee Facebreaker was countered into a Boston crab. A hangman’s neckbreaker was countered into a backbreaker. The crowd put their support behind Emilio, but Chandler’s dominance and prodigal talent shone through. It wasn’t until Chandler decided to go for the CRS-Two. Emilio’s counter to that shocked the entire crowd. Coming down, Emilio hit Chandler with a stunner, sending Chandler to the ground. Quick to get to his feet, Emilio hit the ropes and brought the FGA International Heavyweight Champion with his Springboard Reverse DDT! He went for the cover and got a hard-fought two count, but only that. 

LeSage’s words rang true as Emilio took control of the match, not giving Chandler any room to recover fully. A Fireman’s Carry Neckbreaker really brought Emilio closer to the final win he needed, but Chandler kicked out again. As Emilio got up, he motioned for the ropes and came off for a Lionsault. Chandler rolled out the way but heard Emilio land on his feet. Emilio came back in, going for a High Knee, but Chandler pushed him off and into the ropes. Emilio came back off them with a Springboard Savate Kick, sending Chandler far into the opposing ropes. When Emilio drew close, Chandler came back with the Pinpoint Dropkick but he got caught into Emilio’s Calf Killer! 

Chandler managed to get his hand on the bottom rope and Emilio respectfully let off the hold. Emilio waited for Chandler to get to his feet before taking him down with a Kotaro Krusher. Another two count brought on some frustration as Emilio got back to his feet. Chandler used the turnbuckle to get to his feet, nursing the leg caught in the Calf Killer earlier. Emilio, seeing this, ran forward and popped Chandler with the high knee he was looking for before and dragged the champion away from the corner. Lifting Chandler with the Electric Chair position, he looked to drop him down into the Snap German Suplex, but Chandler has other plans.

Poisoned Frankensteiner! A variation on a known tune, but it was enough to rock Emilio. Desperate not to let his prior advantage go, Emilio bounced to his feet, but Chandler waited for him instead. Chandler sent Emilio into the corner and heaved him onto the rope, setting up for the Mass Spike (Top Rope-Hung Cutter), but Emilio pushed himself off the top rope, stuck the landing, and sent Chandler into the turnbuckle with a Snap German Suplex. The two legends slumped to the ground, feeling the drawback of the high octane match. The crowd clapped for them, finally getting a chance to do so and take a breather. Hanging on each move might have taxed them, but as both competitors got to their feet, the arena’s air shifted.

Emilio made the LA sign with his fingers before running off the ropes. He came back into the Pinpoint Dropkick (High Angle Dropkick) and Chandler spread his arms out. He begged for Emilio get up, the passion of a resolute champion burning brightly. When Emilio did, Chandler quickly brought him into his grasp, trying to hit the DNA Driver, but Emilio dropped his knee onto the crown of Chandler’s head upon the lift. Chandler dropped Emilio, but let out a defiant roar, catching the HKW Hall of Famer with the Roaring Hammer (Polish Hammer). He brought Emilio back up and went for the DNA Driver again, but when he tried the lift this time, Emilio brought his knee up into his gut. With a similar fiery yell, Emilio picked Chandler up and drove him down into the mat with the Vibora Strike (Sit Down Brainbuster)! 

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT!

Emilio got up with his head in his hands before taking a look back at the unmoving man known as the DNA of FGA! Taking a deep breath, Emilio got up and stood there for a second before, well, a rather malicious smirk dawned on his face. The crowd cheered as they knew that El Serpiente started to come out. Making “UE” with two handsigns, Emilio went to the corner and pulled down his kneepad. When Chandler got to a kneeling position, Emilio ran at him, going for Felicity Banks’ OFF WITH YOUR HEAD! The knee came out--

Chandler moved out the way, collected Emilio, and dropped him with a DNA Driver (Bloody Sunday)! He hooked the legs!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE---

KICKOUT!

Chandler’s agitation came onto his face, but he shook his head, getting back to his feet. Not wasting any time, he brought Emilio back up, but he got shoved immediately away. Emilio arched his head back and let out Regalo de Cobra (Purple Mist), but he didn’t realize that Chandler was already in a discus motion when he did. 

Emilio’s jaw received a brutal Roaring Hammer, but Emilio didn’t go down. He fell into the ropes, using them to prop himself back up. Chandler looked at Emilio with an expression of wonder, but he nodded his head. Emilio came back, stumbling all the while. His heart was there, but his body wasn’t willing to keep up. Chandler drew closer to him and collected him into his grip, going for another DNA Driver, but Emilio reversed into a Victory Roll, playing possum!

ONE!

TWO!

KICKOUT--OFF WITH YOUR HEAD!

Chandler didn’t even get a millisecond to recover before the back of his head got blasted with the knee! Emilio rushed to the top rope with the crowd fully behind him. 

DESAEANDO ASTRO!

The beautiful Corkscrew Shooting Star Press left the audience in awe!

…

But it was an ill-fated move.

Chandler, through some kind of instinct--a result of his place on the main event for so long, moved out of the way. Though he laid motionless after that, Emilio was like Icarus, crashing into the mat with a brutal sound. He tossed and turned on the mat, writing like a snake in its death throe. When he finally stopped, the referee looked between the two. 

But soon, Chandler Scott began to rise. 

Using the ropes for every degree of support and shaking out the cobwebs, Chandler looked back at Emilio and raised his head. When his head lowered back down, the camera caught the look of a competitor knowing what he must do. Chandler walked over to Emilio and began to drag him to his feet. The former HKW World and Global Champion, one of the four Pillars of HKW, put up a sloppy but determined guard. 

The heart of a champion.

The beating heart of HKW.

Emilio Vlalpando rose to the occasion, for his final stand.

Chandler turned with a discus, throwing out the third Roaring Hammer--but EMILIO DUCKED!

No, rather, he stumbled into the ropes, using an ounce of what was left in the tank to avoid certain death. Emilio turned around and caught Chandler with a Pele Kick, sending the FGAce into the ropes. Chandler hung there for a moment, being spent of energy himself. Emilio crept forward, hanging onto the last flames of his career. 

Sadly, reality is so harsh.

ROARING HAMMER!

Emilio, once again, withstood the impact, but Chandler knew that he had to dig deep to finally put Thee Main Event down. With Emilio’s back to him, Chandler simply brought him onto his shoulder into the inverted Argentine hold and brought him down into the mat with a ring-shaking Burning Hammer! He dropped his weight onto Emilio and waited for the hand to drop.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

With the bell sounding and “Perfect Strangers” blaring, the crowd started to clap. Chandler got off the ground, breathing deeply. He held his neck, looking around the crowd for just a moment before turning his attention to the fallen Emilio. He stood there, staring intently, before reaching down to help Emilio to his feet. Emilio came back to life, ready to fight some more until he heard the crowd’s reaction. 

As he registered what it meant, Emilio couldn’t help but smile. Chandler, on the other hand, received his championship and rested it on his shoulder. He walked back over to Emilio and offered his hand to him. Emilio didn’t take too much time shortening the distance and the two shook hands. They embraced for a short moment, showing the respect they had for one another. After which, Chandler nodded to him and rose his arm. The crowd bombarded both men with cheers and Chandler left to give Emilio the last spotlight. 

Nipsey Hussle started up for the last time as the show came to a close. Emilio celebrated his career, throwing up the LA sign he was known for. On October 1st, 2018, Emilio reached five years in his career. 

On October 1st, 2018, the career of El Serpiente came to an end.

WINNER Chandler Scott via Pinfall (Burning Hammer)