June
25th, 2001
Corn
Exchange, Ipswich, Suffolk
Attendance:
1,250
TV
rating: 4.25
(The scene opens inside the Corn Exchange in Ipswich as Hammerlock TV explodes live on Sky Sports 3. There are one and a quarter thousand fanatical Hammerlock followers crammed inside, ready for a blistering night of wrestling action. The commentary team of Chris Freeman and Adam Wheeler are seated at ringside.)
Chris Freeman: Hello, good
evening and welcome everyone to the Corn Exchange here in Ipswich, the setting
for this evening’s blistering edition of Hammerlock TV! Tonight, live on Sky
Sports 3, the NWA-UK World Heavyweight Championship Tournament begins as we
bring you the entire first round of eight matches!
Adam Wheeler: Freeman, this is
it! The time for talking is over! It’s all about tonight, this is what
everybody has been waiting for! Everyone has their favourite for the tournament.
The Hammerlock superstars have been training extremely hard over the past couple
of days as they know that the events of this tourney could shape their careers
for ever!
CF: You can sense the
anticipation in the air here this evening…
AW: Are you sure that isn’t
just the smell of the Corn Exchange, or more precisely, the people in it?
CF: I’m pretty sure, Adam. “Shotgun” Steve Bailey has one hell of a task on his hands if he is to advance past the first round of the tournament, he’ll be facing Byson in a few moments, but right know he’s with Phil Robinson.
“Shotgun” Steve Bailey interview.
(Steve Bailey is standing by with Phil Robinson in front of a Hammerlock banner.)
Phil Robinson: Steve, you pride yourself on being a very innovative and ground-breaking grappler, but where are these inventive moves going to get you against the 280-pound Byson? The draw certainly didn’t favour you, and you’ll have your work cut out if you want to proceed in this tournament.
Steve Bailey: Hey, sooner or later in this tournament, you are gonna have to go up against the big boys. As fate would have it, I have to face Byson in the first round. Well, I have no reason to fear or be intimidated by this goof. I can outsmart him, outthink him and more importantly, I can beat him. I’ve got a bullet with his name on it…
(Suddenly, M.J. jumps Bailey from behind and throws him into the wall. M.J. snatches the microphone off Phil Robinson and chokes out Bailey with the cable.)
M.J.: Hey Bailey, how d’ya like THAT bullet?!
(M.J. storms off as Phil Robinson checks on Bailey’s condition. Adam Wheeler appears to find the whole series of events very amusing.)
CF:
What the hell are you laughing at?!
AW:
I thought that was hilarious! M.J. is so damn smart. What better time to beat
somebody up than before the biggest match of his career?
CF:
It’s deplorable.
AW:
You mean like Steve Bailey attacking M.J. on Saturday Fight Night was also
deplorable?
CF:
He was getting him back from…oh, forget it!
AW:
Gotcha there, huh?
(Fear
Factory’s “Linchpin” hits, the signature theme of Byson.)
AW:
This is going to be academic. Don’t blink, or you’ll miss it!
Byson
pinned Steve Bailey after a fallaway slam in 0:07:55.
Rating:
** 1/4
CF:
Bailey gave it his best shot, but unfortunately it wasn’t good enough. Byson
advances.
AW:
As if there was any doubt.
CF:
Well, M.J.’s gutless attack didn’t help matters.
AW:
Aw come on, Byson would have destroyed “Shotgun” anyway. I want to go on
record right now and predict that the first ever World Champion of this company
will be the Byson.
CF:
You are only saying that because you’re scared of him.
AW:
He’s also one hell of a wrestler!
CF:
Ladies and gentlemen, you see Scottie Hero making his way out to the ring for
his first round match with “Picture Perfect” Jason Prentice, but I have
every reason to believe that this match will not go ahead. Prentice injured his
ankle last Saturday in the closing moments of Saturday Fight Night and I doubt
he’ll be able to compete.
AW:
Hang on a second Freeman, Prentice is the toughest SOB in Hammerlock!
CF:
That’s a joke, right?
AW:
No, it is not a joke. Prentice has got more guts than brains…
CF:
No comment.
AW:
…and he’d do anything to become World Champion.
Jason Prentice interview, w/ Linda O’Neil.
(“PRENTICE…makes…PERFECT!”
Jason Prentice’s music hits and the crowd boo vociferously.)
CF:
We’re about to find out if Prentice will in fact participate here this
evening.
(Jason
Prentice makes his way out from the back on crutches, with his ankle heavily
bandaged. He struggles to hobble down the ramp despite Linda’s best efforts.
The crowd seem to share some sympathy with him. He eventually climbs into the
ring and takes the microphone.)
CF:
Still think he’s gonna wrestle?
Jason
Prentice: Tonight…tonight was supposed to be the start of the greatest moment
of my career. I’ve been waiting for this moment for some time. I’ve
increased my training schedule to get into the best shape that I possibly can.
The first ever NWA-UK Hammerlock World Heavyweight Champion was supposed to be
ME!
(Tears
begin to trickle down Prentice’s face. Linda comforts him.)
JP: Last Saturday night, I injured my ankle. Later that evening, I was told I had fractured it. Every doctor that I have talked to has made it clear that there is no chance in hell I will be able to wrestle tonight, or any night for the next months. So Scottie Hero, congratulations man. I’m forfeiting the match and you are through to the quarter finals. But before you go to sleep tonight, I hope you thank God that you were spared a beating from Picture Perfect!
(Hero
looks on in disbelief.)
AW:
Scottie Hero gets a bye?!
CF:
Looks that way.
AW:
This sucks!
(Prentice
wipes away his tears and begins to fire up again.)
JP:
And you know, there’s only one man responsible for this. I blame one man for
costing me MY world title and shattering my dreams. That “man”, and I use
the term loosely, is you… LUKE CHAMPION!!!
(The
crowd pops at the mention of Champion’s name.)
JP:
That’s right Champion, you son of a b*tch! My ankle will get better, you can
count on that, and then your days around here are numbered! You have cost me the
World Heavyweight Championship, and that is gonna cost you your career!
(Prentice
throws down the microphone and Linda helps him out of the ring and up the ramp.
Scottie Hero cannot believe what has just happened and starts to celebrate.
Suddenly, Byson storms through the crowd and into the ring. He spears Hero out
of his boots, before planting him with the Bull Rutt. Byson then gets right in
Hero’s face and berates him. Prentice looks back at the ring and smirks before
disappearing behind the entrance curtain.)
CF:
I can’t believe that.
AW:
You know, even you have to admit that what Jason Prentice just did took guts. He
has forfeited his place in the tournament due to injury.
CF:
And he has sworn revenge on Luke Champion. I can’t understand that. Champion
didn’t push Prentice out of the ring, Prentice fell!
AW:
He wouldn’t have fallen if Champion hadn’t threatened him with a steel
chair! Don’t try and defend him!
CF:
The good part about this whole unfortunate situation for Scottie Hero is that he
receives a bye into the quarter finals at GrandSlam, but the bad part is that he
must face Byson!
AW:
That is bad; very, very, very, very bad. Byson just gave Hero a slight taster of
what he intends to do on July 1st.
CF:
Coming up next, The Iceman Ben Winter takes on The Blue Chipper Bryan Campbell
in another first round match.
AW:
This is gonna be good. Winter is 330 pounds of pure solid muscle, but Campbell
has speed and quickness on his side. You know, Campbell told me earlier that he
is going to win this World Championship for his old man and nobody is gonna
screw it up for him.
CF:
Can the Blue Chipper make his father proud? We’re about to find out!
Ben
Winter defeated Bryan Campbell by countout in 0:13:59.
Rating:
*** 1/4
CF:
Listen to this crowd! They are going wild for The Iceman!
AW:
Come on Freeman! They aren’t going to let this result stand, are they?!
Migraine has just cost Campbell the damn match!!
CF:
I guess the referee never saw it.
AW:
Never saw it?! What is he, blind?! This is ridiculous!!
CF:
Well, Bryan Campbell is backstage and I guess he’s looking for Migraine…
Backstage:
(Bryan
Campbell is tearing the backstage area apart in sheer frustration. Kelly catches
up with him.)
Kelly:
Bryan…Bryan?
Bryan
Campbell: What?! What the hell do you want?!
Kelly:
How do you f…
BC:
You haven’t seen that piece of crap Migraine around anywhere, have you? He’s
about this tall, and he’s about to get a broken nose and my foot up his ass!
Kelly:
No…listen, how…
BC:
Can you believe that? Can you believe what just happened?! That son of a b*tch
has cost me the title! I promised my father that I would be the World Champion!
I’m a man of my word, I’m a Blue Chipper for Christ sake! I don’t deserve
this! Migraine, you’re a dead man! If I can’t be the champ, then neither can
you!
(Kelly
looks on shocked as Campbell storms off.)
CF:
Campbell is inconsolable. He’s totally consumed with rage.
AW:
He has every reason to be. Migraine had no right being out here during
Campbell’s match!
CF:
The feud between those two seems to have degenerated into an all-out war,
especially after that warning that the Blue Chipper just fired at Migraine.
AW:
Migraine better be looking over his shoulder throughout his first round match
against Smashmouth, because Campbell is not going to take this lying down.
CF:
Well up next The Legacy Luke Champion…
AW:
And the man that broke Jason Prentice’s ankle…
CF: …goes one-on-one with
Midnight Blue. Can Champion write his own legacy and take a step closer to
winning the World Championship?
AW:
By doing what? Breaking Midnight Blue’s ankle as well? Well, Blue won’t let
that happen. He doesn’t get the credit that he deserves. He’s a fantastic
wrestler and could be the dark horse of this tournament. His movies aren’t
bad, either.
CF:
I’ll take your word for it.
Midnight
Blue pinned Luke Champion after the Doctor Bomb in 0:10:56.
Rating:
*** 3/4
AW: Yeah! Midnight Blue advances
to the quarter finals!!!
CF:
Hmm, I wonder how he’s going to celebrate…
AW:
I’m not sure about that, but whatever it is, I’m sure it’ll last all
night!
CF:
All this means of course that Midnight Blue will face The Iceman this Sunday!
AW: I just hope Midnight Blue
doesn’t tire himself out…working out!
CF:
I know what you mean.
Backstage:
Bryan
Campbell bursts into Migraine’s dressing room, but there is nobody inside. He
has a steel chain wrapped around his fist. Campbell throws a chair against the
wall in anger and goes to leave the room, but notices that the television is on.
It shows Migraine making his way out to the ring. Campbell nods his head and
leaves.
AW: I think Campbell has
snapped!
CF: He’s been driven over the
edge by this man in the ring right now, Migraine, who is about to take on the
powerful and intimidating Smashmouth.
AW: Smashmouth is going to
cruise to victory if Migraine approaches this match in the wrong manner.
Migraine needs to hit and run here.
CF: And watch out for Bryan
Campbell, who has promised that Migraine will not advance any further in this
tourney.
AW: As if Migraine didn’t have
enough to worry about!
Smashmouth
pinned Migraine after hitting him with a foreign object in 0:10:52.
Rating:
*** 1/2
CF:
Hey, come on! Bryan Campbell gave Smashmouth a chain which he used on Migraine
to gain a cheap victory!
AW:
Turnabout is fair play, Freeman!
CF:
Oh God, now Campbell’s got the chain!
AW:
This isn’t gonna be pretty!
Post-match:
(Bryan
Campbell wraps the chain around his fist and clubs Migraine across the jaw with
hit. Migraine hits the mat and Campbell stands over his fallen foe. Campbell
then lifts Migraine’s head and pummels away at it with sickening
chain-assisted punches. Blood begins to seep from several cuts on Migraine’s
head. A bevy of referees fill the ring and drag a crazed Campbell off Migraine.)
CF:
For God’s sake, get Campbell out of there!
AW:
He’s snapped, Freeman! He’s absolutely lost it!
(Campbell walks up the ramp, knowing that his business has been done, to a resounding round of boos from the crowd. Several paramedics rush to the ring to tend to Migraine. One of them holds a towel to Migraine’s bleeding cranium. Migraine grabs the paramedic’s arm and throws the towel away. He then plants the paramedic with the Pain Killer, sending the other EMTs running for safety. Migraine falls to the mat, clutches his head and writhes in pain. He rolls out of the ring and then stumbles up the ramp, still holding his head in anguish.)
AW:
It doesn’t appear that all of Migraine’s marbles are in his possession,
either.
CF:
Those two have to settle their grudge, and as quickly as possible. Otherwise,
somebody is going to get seriously hurt.
AW:
I hope it’s Migraine.
CF:
Well you would. Robbie Anthony, my pick to win it all, is up next in the
World Title Tournament. He will take on a man who has had his fair share of
problems with The Upset Kid Junior Jones as of late, Cuthbert D. Fharquar.
AW:
…ESQUIRE! Can you believe that ingrate Junior Jones? Fharquar offers
him enough money to get him out of his depressing life of squalor and poverty in
return for Jones stepping in the ring with him again, and Jones throws it back
in his face! I think Jones is scared of Fharquar!
CF:
I don’t believe that to be true at all, although Fharquar may be scared of Da
Bomb!
AW:
Fharquar is a very intelligent and eloquent wrestler. Don’t be surprised if he
squeezes out a victory here on Hammerlock TV against Anthony. Stranger things
have happened!
CF:
Yeah, like Junior Jones pinning Fharquar in the middle of the ring!
AW:
For one…wait a second!
Robbie
Anthony pinned Cuthbert D. Fharquar after a backdrop driver in 0:10:45.
Rating:
*** 1/2
CF: There it is! Robbie Anthony
will face Smashmouth this Sunday at GrandSlam in the quarter finals!
AW:
Are you condoning that, Freeman?! Are you?! Junior Jones blatantly and
unashamedly interfered in that match!
CF:
All he did was throw Fharquar back into the ring.
AW:
Hey, I didn’t know this was supposed to be a handicap match! Fharquar can’t
even leave the ring to take a breather!
Post-match:
(Cuthbert
D. Fharquar calls for the mic whilst Junior Jones stands in the middle of the
ramp, laughing at him.)
Fharquar:
Listen here, you miserable specimen! You CANNOT do this to me! Oh wait, wait! I
get it! You weren’t good enough to be selected for this tournament, so you
have to cost me a place in it against this piece of scum!
(Robbie
Anthony was about to leave the ring, until he heard that comment.)
Fharquar:
I offered you £1,000 of my hard-earned money last Monday night…
CF:
Hard-earned?
AW:
Shaddup!
Fharquar:
…and you rejected it. Well, I am getting more and more desperate for you to
get in the ring with me so I can teach you a lesson that you won’t forget for
the rest of your miserable life!
(Junior
Jones gets interested.)
Fharquar:
So here’s what I am going to do. You wrestle me next Saturday and I’ll give
you £5,000!
(A Hammerlock crew member runs out and hands Junior Jones a microphone.)
Jones:
Five grand?!
Fharquar:
That’s right, think of what you can buy with that kind of money.
Jones:
Yeah, I could buy just about anything I want, but you can’t buy me, you snob!
I beat you, and you’ll just have to live with that for the rest of your
miserable life!
(Jones
gets a nice ovation from the crowd. Fharquar is beside himself with rage. He
turns around, right into a boot to the midsection from Robbie Anthony! Anthony
then plants him with the Detonation and leaves the ring to a loud reception.)
CF:
Fharquar still can’t get Jones to agree to a match with him. I guess the kid
cannot be bought!
AW:
For five thousand pounds?! He could buy me!
CF:
He could buy you for five pounds. The tournament continues next as M.J.
faces Muerte de Antedicho.
AW:
I’m looking forward to this match. You have the power and destruction of M.J.
against the “Aerial Assault” of Antedicho. It’s a real contrast of styles,
but which will prevail?
CF:
Let’s wait no longer!
Muerte
De Antedicho pinned M.J. after hitting him with brass knuckles in
0:23:10.
Rating:
**** 1/4
CF:
We’ve had no shortage of superb matches here in Ipswich tonight and that was
no exception. Antedicho will go on to meet the winner of the Kakuhari-Powers
tournament match.
AW:
No shortage of superb matches and no shortage of controversy, either. Steve
Bailey brought those brass knuckles into the match and I cannot believe that a
great athlete like Antedicho chose to use them.
CF: Well, you could say that M.J. cost Bailey his place
in the tournament earlier this evening with that brutal backstage assault, and
that Bailey was out here for retribution.
Post-match:
(Steve
Bailey got into the ring and began to stomp away at M.J., but M.J. hooked
Bailey’s legs and took him down. He then pounded Bailey with several forearms
to the face and ahead. The two men continued to brawl until a whole host of
officials hit the ring and separated them, who were still chomping at the bit to
get at each other.)
AW:
That feud isn’t over either. In fact, I have a feeling that it’s just
beginning!
CF:
The animosity between both is ever growing. Tonight, they eliminated each other
from the World Championship Tournament.
AW:
I doubt their issues will end until one has eliminated the other from
Hammerlock!
CF:
You could be right.
AW:
I’m always right.
CF:
Our final match in the first round of the tournament is coming up. Hiro Kakuhari
meets “The Pride of East London” Ian Powers in what promises to be a very
competitive match.
AW:
Definitely. This contest pits those ferocious fists of Powers against the lethal
kicks and chops of Kakuhari. It won’t be for the faint-hearted.
CF:
This for a quarter final berth against Muerte de Antedicho at GrandSlam!
Hiro
Kakuhari pinned Ian Powers with the Fisherman Suplex in 0:10:13.
Rating:
* 1/4
AW: That’s it for Powers.
Kakuhari’s Fisherman Suplex is always executed so sweetly!
CF:
He advances to the…hold on a second, I’m hearing that there is something
transpiring in the back!
Backstage:
(Bryan
Campbell and Migraine and fighting furiously in the locker room area. Both men
are bleeding from head wounds. They are surrounded by several referees and other
wrestlers who attempt to break them up. Migraine hurls Campbell into the door
frame of one of the locker room doors. Inside, Jason Prentice walks
past!)
CF:
Wait a minute! Isn’t that Prentice?!
AW:
Where?
(Prentice
notices the camera and quickly hits the deck, clutching his ankle. He then
instructs Linda O’Neil to quickly close the door, which she does.)
CF:
I can’t believe that! Prentice had us all well and truly fooled! What a
no-good dishonest, deceitful, treacherous son of a b…
AW:
Hey, this is Jason Prentice we’re talking about!
CF: Exactly! Well, what a night
it has been on Hammerlock TV! The first round of the World Championship
Tournament is done and dusted and whilst very controversial and contentious, it
will also live long in the memory! We hope you’ll join us on Saturday Fight
Night where the NWA-UK World Television Championship Tournament kicks off, but
for Adam Wheeler, I’m Chris Freeman here in Ipswich wishing you a very good
night!
Match
observations:
Click
here to return
to the card overview.
Peter
Abram, 06-26-2001