Redemption Recount

MPW Presents: REDEMPTION

by Johnny W. – Saturday, August 20, 2011
All MPW event results

Welcome to the monster pit once again wrestling fans! The pressure has been building up on the frustrations among the roster the last few months while venue negotiations between MPW Owner Nelson Mayer and Alberta Ave. management continue. In the meantime Nelson has been able to give the roster an outlet for the need for a beatdown with a series of intimate events at the Oil City Grindhouse.

MPW Commissioner Nino welcomed Massive Damage to open the show. Massive has been redoubling his match training lately, now that he has a murderer’s row of enemies (Greatness on Demand and Morningstar Mercenaries), and even friends (Jack Hammer), standing in between him and the gold he feels he deserves around his waist. But all this extra training led him to a last-minute injury, and he’s out of action for this card. He’s not the only one, as reports have MPW Provincial Champion Nite also scratched due to a last-minute training injury.

Nino didn’t leave the crowd disappointed for long, as he and Massive outlined a mini-tournament for the MPW Provincial Division this evening. The prize? The #1 Contender and a guaranteed title shot vs. Nite at the next show. How to win this prize? Win one of three qualifier singles matches and then be the last man standing in a triple threat finals match. And don’t forget that’s just the warmup. Tonight is Jack Hammer’s premiere shot at an ultimate title reign as he takes on MPW Heavyweight Champion “Mr. Intensity” Mark Posey. Everyone in the back room is itching to get it on and clobber each other to claw up to the top of the monster pit.

MPW Provincial Division #1 Contender tournament, qualifying match #1: Mutato w/Chris Perish v Spooky Bonanza

The action begins with the insane asylum wing of the monster pit. Mutato is viciously deranged while Spooky Bonanza acts like he’s from outer space. Spooky has a size and strength advantage, and is dangerously unpredictable, but Mutato is on the short leash of elite technician Chris Perish. This matchup is too close to call as the bell rings.

Spooky edges Mutato out in sheer power, but every hard-fought advantage gets wasted by a well-placed Chris Perish distraction. Mutato gets opening after opening to wear down another Bonanza body part, but Spooky keeps zagging when everyone think’s he’ll zig and gets on top again. Mutato’s onslaughts slowly get Spooky down, but a cosmic burst of energy leads to a devastating sequence of clotheslines and suplexes, finishing with a strong snap hangman suplex. And when Chris Perish then quickly jumps in the ring, Spooky catches him in a layout slam for good measure. Unfortunately for Spooky, he doesn’t understand that pinning Perish doesn’t count, and wasting time on that pin gives Mutato an opening for a cheap blow and final pin.

Winner: Mutato

MPW Provincial Division #1 Contender tournament, qualifying match #2: Wiseman Pierce v Taylor Stone

Pierce is completely incensed from his first step towards the ring, and is already sniping at referee Peter, calling him out about his poor job at Transgression in July, where Peter refused to count Pierce’s choke pins on Taylor Stone before Stone finally pulled off a Taylor Made ddt to win. The chip on Pierce’s shoulders for both men are looking pretty huge and rumours have it Pierce didn’t leave MPW Commissioner Nino much choice but to book a rematch tonight.

When Taylor Stone comes bursting down to the ring, the wave of support from the crowd riles the big man even more, and on the spot a fan challenge is issued. Pierce jumps up on the turnbuckle and the crowd boos. Stone jumps up on the opposite turnbuckle, and the crowd loudly boos the dirty ambush from behind.

Immediately Pierce jumps into an obviously-well-thought-out plan. Short clotheslines, precision mini-sentons, big boot choke in the corner, front face lock over the bottom rope. Stone’s only chances to catch a breath come when Wiseman deliberately takes steps towards the referee to ensure he’s ready to do his job ‘wisely’.

A too-casual whip into the ropes and Stone goes into overdrive, bouncing up with a surprise Thesz tackle and a ground-and-pound to daze the big guy. As Wiseman stumbles into the corner, Stone gathers the crowd’s previously-interrupted cheers and follows up with a flying knee and bulldog combo. A quick arm-breaker submission attempt is premature though, as Pierce shows off another level of strength (and a pinch of an eye-rake) to power out.

Back in control, Pierce begins a methodical assault on Stone’s ability to breathe, using his half-foot length and two-stone weight advantage to keep Taylor locked and anchored in the centre of the ring. When Pierce has to shift his weight slightly to get the wandering referee back on track, Stone uses the opportunity to slip out and turn the tables with a flurry of athletic pins. Another delicate poke to the eye breaks the momentum and both men are left trying to get fresh air to the lungs. The action goes back and forth. Huge slams and drops from the big guy, surprise breakers and flying kicks from the underdog. A full 7-foot chokeslam looks like it puts Stone away but Referee Peter calls off the count with Stone’s foot on the rope. Enraged at another example of a referee not working with the plan, Wiseman shoves into Peter’s grill. This is one insult too much, and Peter shoves back. Taylor wills his arms up to catch the off-balance Wiseman in a desparate backslide pin and Referee Peter counts the three in double-time. A shocked Wiseman can do nothing but throw a tantrum on the ropes while Peter and Taylor book it to the back room.

Winner: Taylor Stone

MPW Provincial Division #1 Contender tournament, qualifying match #3: Chris Perish w/Mutato and Dawnamatrix v Tyler James

Tyler James is the blue chip prospect of Monster Pro Wrestling, surfing on a wave of gold with his MPW Tag Team Champion belt and his Wrestler of the Year plaque. Chris would say none of that counts in the Monster ‘Perish’ Wrestling world, and James and Perish have been slugging out a growing grudge over the better part of 2011. And just to make sure TJ doesn’t even get a sniff of fellow Morningstar Mercenary Nite’s title belt tonight, Perish has arranged for both Mutato and Dawnamatrix as ringside insurance.

The two wrestlers are both itching to go and the crowd can feel it too. Lockups are quick, and the struggle is even on both sides. Neither man can find an advantage that the other doesn’t immediately step aside. Tyler manages a quick pin but can’t get more than a half of one counted. Chris gets a wrench going on Tyler’s arm but in the next moment Tyler’s twists and pulls away. The stalemate prompts Perish to slip out and confer with his faction.

Perish returns and challenges TJ to a test of strength. On paper James has the obvious advantage, but Perish persists and James doesn’t need much convincing to take the opportunity to show off. And then Perish takes the opportunity to kick a toe up in Tyler’s gut. Tyler’s inner strength is now at test with Perish laying in vicious strikes and blows from post to post. A surfboard stretch has TJ wincing in pain, and a doubleteam of Mutato and Dawnamatrix while draped over the rope has TJ gurgling for breath. Of course Senior Referee Kevin sees nothing of this, getting caught up in an argument with Chris Perish on the other side of the ring.

The Perish Punishment continues, and TJ starts wobbling in his back. Shiver forearms and shoulder tackles to TJ’s back wear it down even more, until TJ barely slips out of the way of Chris’ running corner splash. Tyler gingerly climbs to the top turnbuckle for a missile elbow that takes a lot out of both. Tyler can only manage a weak pin which Perish kicks out of and quickly converts into a front codebreaker. From there Perish pushes TJ up the turnbuckle for an extra-vicious Perishute, but James summons the will and saults a sunset flip over Perish standing on the ropes for a much closer pin.

With the crowd yelling for Tyler to get up, that second wind comes flooding in. TJ gets off dropkicks and abdominal stretches and battering rams. An attempt at a suplex gets blocked, and with Perish finding his second wind, both men find themselves having to escape and reverse the other’s slam attempts. Chris apparently prevails with an off-balance counter-unprettier. But Tyler easily kicks out and sets up his signature Sonic Stunner. Perish is out cold!

But Perish still has backup and Mutato is able to reach out and pull Perish’s leg over the ropes. Senior Referee Kevin stops the count and chastises TJ for not keeping the action in the centre of the ring. Dawnamatrix calls out to Chris to get his head clear. TJ strains to pull the limp Perish to the centre. Out of nowhere Perish springs up and lands a Perishute square to nearly break TJ’s face and neck. Kevin makes a breezy three count and the Morningstar Mercenaries are virtually assured of winning the tournament with two members qualified for the triple threat.

Winner: Chris Perish

MPW Provincial Division #1 Contender tournament, Triple Threat finals: Mutato v Taylor Stone v Chris Perish

I don’t envy Taylor Stone for having to face down what is essentially a handicap match. Stone calls out Perish to get in the ring, but Perish teases on the apron just long enough for Mutato to land the ambush. Perish continues to lounge around ringside while Mutato throws Stone all around the ring like a dog tearing into a rubber duckie toy. Stone is showing a lot of hangover from his earlier match and Mutato’s pounding is getting by Stone’s defenses too easily. Just when Mutato hoists up Taylor for Perish to aim a measured punch, Taylor twists away and Perish’s fist sends Mutato’s mug tumbling from the ring.

I don’t know where Taylor Stone found another gear, but he upshifts with gusto, into a running enzugiri to stun Perish and a strong suplex to ground him. Perish has enough to shove Taylor into the ropes where a recovered Mutato catches him and drives his neck down off the rope. From there the full double team is on. Double clothesline. Double suplex. Double whip into the corner. Double running splashes. Perish takes the initiative for a single pin, but Taylor somehow shoves up his shoulder to break the count! Despite being near dead, Taylor Stone still has a little bit of fight left, and Chris Perish is not happy.

Chris runs to the ropes to build up momentum for a low dropkick, but Taylor cuts him short and catches a drop toe hold to launch Perish through the ropes and to the concrete. Mutato rushes in but Stone converts his momentum into a backbreaker-facebreaker combination. Referee Peter can only count to two before Mutato kicks out. Stone executes a corner flying knee and bulldog combination. Another long two count. Taylor hits adrenaline-fueled high-velocity leg drops and goes for another pin. Chris Perish makes the save at the last second.

The Mercenaries hang Stone up on the top turnbuckle, Stone flies in with a crossbody on Mutato, Perish makes the save. Mercenaries set up Stone on the ropes, Stone ducks a running lariat, spilling the Mercenaries to the outside. Stone claws up to the top turnbuckle and lands a flying splash on both. Stone drags Mutato back to the ring, throwing a few clotheslines for good measure, but can’t get the pin in before Perish gets back to make the save again. Now the Mercenaries show no mercy, viciously pounding the last of Taylor’s will out of his body. With Mutato holding down Stone’s legs, Chris Perish climbs up to the top turnbuckle for a high arc elbow drop.

Tyler James comes running out from the back and disrupts Perish’s balance! Then TJ sidesteps Mutato’s lunge, with Mutato landing on the ropes finishing off Perish’s fragile hold on the top turnbuckle and sending Perish head over heels tangled in the ropes. TJ’s distraction gave Stone enough time to shake the cobwebs and land a Taylor Made on Mutato for a crowd-invested three count!

Winner and new MPW Provincial Division #1 Contender: Taylor Stone

MPW Heavyweight Championship Match: Jack Hammer (challenger) v “Mr. Intensity” Mark Posey (champion)

Mark Posey is not impressed with the special stipulation for tonight’s championship defense where two referees will officiate. Mark Posey is even less impressed with the pathetic fans that are beneath his notice. Why should he even pull on the tights at all? I get the feeling the only thing that could possibly impress Mark Posey is Mark Posey himself, and he cares not one bit for anyone else.

Nevertheless, the commissioner calls out the name of Posey’s opponent tonight. Jack Hammer is a decorated member of Canada’s armed forces and by far the strongest brute on the MPW roster. Hammer has had to fight hard and even put friendships on the line for this single chance for a title. As Hammer fiercely slides into the ring Posey gives him no quarter and right away thrusts a chop into Hammer’s throat. Some punches in the corner don’t seem to faze Jack, and Posey soon finds himself thrown in the corner taking some punches, thrown out of the ring and taking some butts against the apron and post, and thrown all around the crowd taking the full brunt of Hammer’s yearlong frustrations.

Back in the ring, Hammer reminds Mr. Intensity of his reputation as a suplex machine. But Posey is able to kick out of the pin and remind Jack of the tactics that it wasn’t fancy suplexes that got him the title, but precise tactics executed at the moments of greatest profit. A single low blow out of sight of both referees is all that’s needed to even the odds.

From there Mark Posey’s cold and calculating offense goes into full effect. It’s hard to find a vertical base when your groin is made uncooperative. It’s hard to see clear with a thumb in your eye. It’s hard to gasp for air with a rope across your throat. It’s hard to think straight when your skull gets smeared across the canvas. Mark Posey is not impressed with you because he knows just how weak and easily humiliated you are.

But Jack Hammer has learned in the past year how to keep going even with a little humiliation. His match against Kasaki from MPW Fusion in February 2011 forced Hammer to confront a master at taunting opponents and playing the crowd to the opponent’s simple humiliations. This time, Hammer is ready to act when Posey throws him off the ropes for a clothesline and pulls a reaction clothesline out of thin air. The crowd goes wild!

Both men are slow to get up, but each still as determined as the other to win. Posey unleashes a paralyzing nerve strike with the accuracy of a coiled cobra. Hammer heaves out a big back drop like a stampede bronco. Another whip off the ropes, another reaction double clothesline. Neither man is giving an inch. Neither man has much left in reserve.

A third whip to the ropes is a mistake for Posey as Hammer is ready this time to catch Posey’s arm and convert into a bookend slam. And once on the canvas Hammer converts the armlock into a triangle neckstretcher. Hammer then lays all his weight onto the hold. Posey struggles and squirms but can’t loosen the grip by half measures. With a desperate heave of every muscle in his body Posey manages to get a bit of a roll forward, not loosening the hold but forcing Hammer’s shoulders close to the mat. Referee Peter is checking the shoulders closely, while Senior Referee Kevin is watching Posey’s trembling hand. Peter starts counting the pin, Kevin asks if Posey submits. The trembling hand taps the canvas and the referee’s hand slaps the canvas. The bell rings.

Everyone in the arena is stunned and confused. Each ref has declared a different man as the winner. The commish is summoned to resolve the debate between the two refs. Nino’s decision is to declare the split decision as summarily a draw, and therefore Mark Posey retains his title.

Winner: Draw, “Mr. Intensity” Mark Posey retains MPW Heavyweight Championship

The crowd and Jack Hammer are in agreement that this decision sucks, and Hammer grabs the mic and demands the title. Mark Posey responds that every last man in the building saw Posey pin Hammer 1-2-3 and the belt is rightfully his. Nino likes the idea of a rematch at the next show. Posey reminds everyone that he just beat Jack Hammer all by himself, and at the next show, he’ll have the full Greatness on Demand compliment to back him up. Has the window really closed on Hammer’s shot at the title? No doubt he’s going to take someone down either way. Don’t miss the next show!

All MPW event results