All-American Pro Wrestling

[jesseewiak]

OOC Note : Some of you with reallllly good memories may remember me from the ole' TNM list/boards. Thankfully, I've checked in on TNM in a while and noticed Oliver finally got TNM 7 running in a half-decent way on DOSBox. Thus, my return.

Semi-booked circuit, roster mostly determined by blind sweeping through the wrestler list + 'mystery' button.

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All-American Pro Wrestling presents Breakout!
Live from the Tiacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Scott Hudson and Terry Funk (?!?) welcomed everyone to the new era of professional wrestling and explained the concept of the opening night. A 4-team tag team tournament to determine the first AAPW Tag Team Champions, then three four-corners match leading to a triangle match as a final to determine the first AAPW Heavyweight Champion!

Tag Title Tournament - Semi-Finals
The Full Blooded Italians (Smothers & Guido) w/ Trinity vs. The Colony (Soldier & Fire Ant)

Neither Guido nor Smothers were ready for the unorthodox style of the Colony and as a result, the masked team got the early advantage on the ECW mainstays. However, thanks to the interference of Trinity and the veteran presence of Smothers, the FBI were able to make a quick comeback. Near the end, Soldier Ant and Little Guido were trading holds, suplexes, and takedowns when Guido was able to make a blind tag and allow Smothers to nail Soldier Ant with the Southern Kick! One pinfall later and the FBI were into the finals.

The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido & Tracey Smothers) defeated The Colony when T. Smothers pinned Soldier Ant
with the Southern Kick in 0:08:26.
Rating: ** 1/2

A-Ri is upset at his treatment.

Backstage reporter Maryse Oulett tried to get some comments from Alex Riley about his first round four-corners match in the Heavyweight Title tournament, but Riley was more concerned with his treatment from AAPW management. 'Look at me, I'm a star. Compared to some washed up adrenaline junkie, and over-the-hill lesser part of a tag team, or some jacked up Mexican, I'm the damned Rock, Hulk Hogan, and Steve Austin rolled into one. But yet, do I get a limo? My own dressing room? A hot brunette in a bikini? No!"

Tag Team Tournament - Semi-Finals

Da Hit Squad (Mafia & Monsta Mack) vs. The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith & Tyson Kidd)[/center]

In a battle of skill versus power, it seemed at first that skill would win out as both Tyson Kidd and DHS got near falls on the former independent veterans. But, wily tricks and a blocked Hart Attack allowed Da Hit Squad to make a comeback. But, Tyson Kidd was able to wipe out both men with a plancha and it looked like The Hart Dynasty would advance on to the finals. However, Tyson Kidd went for one too many big moves and Mafia hit a very sloppy Reverse DVD/Burning Hammer for a 2.9 count. From there, it was a matter of several double teams before Da Hit Squad got the pinfall and were able to advance into the finals.

Da Hit Squad defeated The Hart Dynasty when Mafia pinned T. Kidd after the Da Big Hit in 0:15:14.
Rating: *** 1/4

Him? Really? Really?

Backstage again, the cameras caught an argument between several road agents, security, and a man stuck in the middle. None other than former WCW and WWE referee, Charles Robinson. As Robinson tried to get into the locker room, security continued to block him and road agents tried to talk Charles out of something. Finally, he got something out of his bag - a signed contract! Charles Robinson is...wrestling...tonight?!?

Heavyweight Title Qualifier

Alex Riley vs. Elix Skipper vs. Hernandez vs. Rick Steiner[/center]

For most of this match, it was a series of alliances coming together and falling apart. Most of the time, it was Alex Riley causing the destruction as he stopped all three men from getting pinfalls multiple times. After nearly twenty-five minutes of action though, all three men finally got tired of Riley's antics and tossed him to the outside. Seeing a beatdown in short order, Riley retreated to the back.

With three men in the ring, the former TNA compatriants temporarily teamed up to take on the Dog-Faced Gremlin. Steiner fought bravely but fell fairly quickly to the attack of Skipper & Hernandez. Faced off against one another, both men unloaded on each other, but Hernandez was able to reverse a simple attempt by Skipper straight into a BORDER TOSS to attain the victory!

Hernandez defeated Alex Riley, Elix Skipper and Rick Steiner:
x Hernandez beat A. Riley via countout in 0:24:52
x Hernandez beat R. Steiner via a powerslam in 0:28:57
x Hernandez beat Skipper via the Border Toss in 0:32:11
Rating: ** 3/4
Click here to see highlights.

BANG! BANG!

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In the interview area, Maryse was now with Mick Foley. Foley explained that yes, he was old. He was broken down. Hell, he probably should be retired. But, much like a horse continues to race down the track, a dog continues to go after the frisbee, he had to continue to wrestle, and he was ready to face any man in the ring tonight to become the first AAPW Heavyweight Champion.

Heavyweight Title Qualifier

Charles Robinson vs. Jerry Lynn vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Pentagon[/center]

Early on, the story of the match was Charles Robinson. He was in the ring for short bursts, tagging out quickly as possible. Even the commentators speculated that he'd been put up to this as a rib. Shortly though, two actual wrestlers got in the ring and in a bit of a shocker, Pentagon made Jerry Lynn submit only six minutes into the match as he had him in the middle of the ring!

After the submission, Lynn shot a look at Jeff Hardy, who merely shrugged as Terry Funk explained 'this ain't dodgeball. This is for the top belt.' Then, Hardy and Pentagon started to wrestle. The luchadore and high flyer melded well, exchanging dropkicks, planchas, lucha holds, and even a very sloppy figure four from Jeff Hardy. And Charles Robinson? He'd been accidently knocked to the outside and forgotten about.

Ten minutes later, Pentagon had hit a big spinebuster when Robinson blind tagged himself in. In a bit of shock and probably mirth, Pentagon didn't immediately destroy him. In the ring, Robinson went for a figure-four of his own, which Hardy reversed, then quickly took apart Robinson and pinned him. Pentagon then ran in and tried to attack Jeff, but the Charismatic Enigma was on a hot streak and quickly pinned him as well!

Four Corners Match:
Jeff Hardy defeated Jerry Lynn, Pentagon and Charles Robinson:
x Pentagon beat J. Lynn via the Pentaclutch in 0:06:38
x J. Hardy beat Robinson via the Swanton Bomb in 0:16:23
x J. Hardy beat Pentagon via the Swanton Bomb in 0:17:51
Rating: *** 1/2

Heavyweight Title Qualifier

Matt Hardy vs. Mick Foley vs. Petey Williams vs. Sonjay Dutt[/center]

For a while, it looked like this match would never end. Four evenly matched competitors with a seperate set of skills met on equal ground. Foley's brawling, Hardy's strong style, Petey's unorthodox offense, and Dutt's flying skill meant all four men got near pins all the time. After about twenty-five minutes, first blood would be drawn suprisingly when after fighting out of the Mandible Claw, Matt Hardy blocked a kick to the shin - legsweep to Foley - TWIST OF FATE for the pinfall!

More in shock than anything else, Matt would then quickly tag out to Sonjay Dutt as Petey Williams came into the ring. The two exhaused high fliers went right at each other, but Williams went for a Tombstone, Dutt slipped out of it, nailed Petey with a big lariat, then the Hindu Press to eliminate Williams. After that, Hardy & Dutt faced off for a moment before locking up. Hardy gained the early advantage, went for his bulldog - BWOMP INTO THE CORNER! FLYING ELBOWDROP FROM DUTT! ONE! TWO! THREE!

Sonjay Dutt defeated Matt Hardy, Mick Foley and Petey Williams:
x M. Hardy beat Foley via the Twist of Fate in 0:26:15
x S. Dutt beat P. Williams via the Hindu Press in 0:28:31
x S. Dutt beat M. Hardy via a flying elbowdrop in 0:29:40
Rating: ** 3/4

A 'Charismatic Enigma' With No Worries.

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Backstage, cameras try to catch up to Matt Hardy as he enters the dressing room he shares with his brother Jeff. Matt cuts them off, but a conversation is heard where Jeff tells Matt he can take care of himself, but Matt tries to argue that you don't know what will happen in a three-way, 'plus what if Lynn gets a bug up his ass to come out there?' Jeff simply ways him off and goes back to meditating.

AAPW Tag Team Title Decision Match

Da Hit Squad vs. The Full Blooded Italians[/center]

In a word, this was domination. From the opening bell, Mafia & Monsta Mack were in this match to take apart the FBI. They simply intimidated Trinity to keep her nose out of things, then went after the actual wrestlers in the ring. After an opening brawl, Mafia & Mack hit Little Guido with multiple double-teams. Only six minutes in - BURNING HAMMER! From there, it was academic and Da Hit Squad are your inaugural AAPW Tag Team Champions.

Match for the vacant AAPW Tag Team Titles:
Da Hit Squad defeated The Full Blooded Italians when Mafia pinned Little Guido with the Burning Hammer in 0:06:52.
Rating: *** 1/4
(Da Hit Squad won the AAPW Tag Team Titles.)

AAPW Heavyweight Title Final

Hernandez vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Sonjay Dutt[/center]

Not surprisingly, early on, this was a 2-on-1 match with Hernandez being the odd man out. Jeff & Sonjay tagged in and out, hitting a variety of high flying moves on the Mexican powerhouse. But, Hernandez ably fought them off, laying into both the Charismatic Engima and the Hindu Hustler with suplexes, slams, and pure power. Indeed, it was this pure power that led to the first elimination of the match as after Dutt blocked two suplex attempts, he tried to take Hernandez down with a headscissors but Hernandez simply threw him off. Disoriented, he was easy pickings for the Border Toss.

From there, the match became the classic big man versus little man match as Hernandez tried to keep Hardy grounded while the former WWE Champion attempted to run Hernandez ragged. Late in the match, Hernandez almost got the pin after a throat suplex, but Hardy somehow managed to kick out. Hernandez then went for a spinning power bomb - RANA - SPINNING LEG LARIAT - SWANTON BOMB! ONE! TWO! THREE! NEW CHAMP!

Triangle Match for the vacant AAPW Heavyweight Title:
Jeff Hardy defeated Hernandez and Sonjay Dutt:
x Hernandez beat S. Dutt via the Border Toss in 0:08:43
x J. Hardy beat Hernandez via the Swanton Bomb in 0:16:26
Rating: ***
(Jeff Hardy won the AAPW Heavyweight Title.)

The PPV closed out with Jeff holding up his Heavyweight title as Matt celebrated with his brother.

[JoshiQ]

Hey, Jesse, definitely remember you. Glad to see you back in the scene! We've been needing some people from the list days to return to give some life to the forums.

Was there some sort of unspoken agreement between the Hardy Boys and Jerry Lynn that I missed? Looked like there was tension after Lynn was eliminated, and I'm not sure why. Unless they are friends in real life or something?

Alex Riley's bit was terrific. You had me cheering for him to win his four corners match.

Charles Robinson was an interesting choice for the roster, but I'm intigued with how you will handle him from here on. Could be a lot of fun.

As for the overall card, I really enjoyed it. Love the format and the writing was terrific.

[jesseewiak]

AAPW Friday Night Fights

Live from Atlantic City, NJ at the Mark Etess Arena

Friday Night Fights is Live
After highlights of the PPV played, Hudson & the Funker welcomed us to Atlantic City and the first ever edition of Friday Night Fights. They then brought up the brackets for the North American Title tournament and explained the finals would be at the next PPV event for AAPW - Rising Dawn.

The Colony vs. Whipwreck & Tajiri w/ James Mitchell

The former ECW wrestlers got a healthy response from the New Jersey crowd, even though Mitchell & Whipwreck did their best to turn at least the ringside fans away from the Disciples of Evil. In the match, both teams have lots of experience teaming so it wasn't a surprise that the early portion of the match mainly consisted of the two teams quickly tagging in and out, including the Colony doing a quick blind tag ending in a rolling cradle that almost resulted in a pinfall. Tajiri fought back with stiff kicks and Whipwreck had his typical indy-style offense, including a sloppy as hell missile dropkick that almost got a pinfall. As a result, both Whipwreck & Tajiri started to beat on Fire using quick tags and stiff moves to wear down Fire Ant. Soldier Ant came in several times to save his partner, but it looked like it was the end for Fire. However, Mikey went for the Whippersnapper, but Fire reversed it into a side suplex, then tagging in Soldier who dropped Whipwreck with a TKO! Whipwreck kicked out though, but Soldier ducked under a lariat and nailed Mikey with a flying forearm to get the pinfall!

The Colony defeated Whipwreck & Tajiri when Soldier Ant pinned Whipwreck after a flying forearm in 0:12:06.
Rating: *** 1/2

The 'New F'N Show has a mission
Backstage, Maryse Oulett was with 'The New F'N Show' Jerry Lynn as he explained that well he was disappointed with how Breakout went, now he had a new goal - the North American Title. Tonight, that path would start with Rick Steiner. Lynn explained that Steiner may be a legend in this business and he had fought all over the world with his brother Scott. But, this wasn't a tag team match and Jerry Lynn knew how to win titles - just ask anybody in
ECW.

COMMERCIALS

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North American Tournament - First Round
Alex Riley vs. Pentagon

Not surprisingly, neither man was popular with the AAPW audience, but Pentagon got cheers by default by hitting a big tope on Riley on the outside early on in the match. Riley tried to fight back with his pro-style offense including a wicked snap suplex, but the match quickly spilled to the outside. On the outside, Riley tried to send Pentagon into the ring barrier but Pentagon reversed it and drilled Riley with a big dropkick into the fans. While that was a big hit to Riley's ego, the bigger hit would happen a few moments later as Riley staggered into the ring and quickly got locked into a Pentaclutch that allowed Pentagon to get the pinfall!

[First Round - North American Tournament]:
Pentagon pinned Alex Riley with the Pentaclutch in 0:07:32.
Rating: * 3/4

After the match, Riley complained to the referee as Pentagon played to the fans.

The 'Prime Time Player' has come to AAPW
In the interview area once again, Maryse talked to Elix Skipper. Skipper explained that while it was a great injustice that AAPW didn't have a true Prime Time superstar as their Heavyweight champion, the ratings would quickly be saved when the original Prime Time Player became the new North American champion in just a few weeks at Rising Dawn. It didn't matter if he had to face a fat Samoan like Jimmy Uso, an overrated has-been like Jerry Lynn, or even a fine man like Petey Williams. At the end of the day, Elix would reign supreme.

COMMERCIALS

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North American Tournament - First Round
Jerry Lynn vs. Rick Steiner

It wasn't a huge surprise that this match was a clash of styles from the beginning. Lynn immediately went to his cruiserweight attack, but the tag team legend from Michigan fought back with several punches, kicks, and even dropping Lynn with a nasty belly-to-back suplex. Rick then hit several more suplexes and slams to keep the advantage and went to the second rope, only to miss a big bulldog. Back on the attack, Lynn hit armdrags, hiptosses, and even took the Dog-Faced Gremlin down with a spinning headscissors. Lynn then went for a flying legdrop, but Steiner rolled out of the way and went back on the attack. Ground 'n' pound was the order of the day as Rick Steiner kept the New F'N Show on the mat. After a big suplex, Rick then went for the Steiner Recliner, but Lynn quickly got to the ropes as it turns out The Dog-Faced Gremlin isn't an excellent strategist. Lynn struggled to his feet and it looked like he was about to eat a Steinerline, but Lynn ducked and turned it into a crucifix! After the near fall, Lynn hit the spinning headscissors and boom - CRADLE PILEDRIVER!

[First Round - North American Tournament]:
Jerry Lynn pinned Rick Steiner with the Cradle Piledriver in 0:10:32.
Rating: ** 3/4

Steiner didn't look happy as he exited the ring, but Lynn sure did as he played to the AAPW crowd while Hudson explained that all of the losers in the first round would be in a suicide six way to get two 'wild card' spots in the tournament.

COMMERCIALS

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The Hardy's are here to celebrate
Coming back from commercial, the Hardy's came out to a huge pop from the Atlantic City crowd as Jeff held the AAPW Heavyweight title up high. 'The Charismatic Enigma' thanked the fans and said it was an honor to be the first champion, especially after defeating such great competition as Sonjay Dutt, Hernandez, and Jerry Lynn. Jeff put over the number one contender's match tonight, then handed the mic over to Matt Hardy. The elder Hardy brother said that he was happy for his brother, but would even be happier in a few weeks when he was celebrating with Jeff a champion as well at Rising Dawn. After putting over the competition in the tournament such as Petey Williams, Pentagon, Jerry Lynn, and even Mick Foley, both men played to the crowd and went back to the backstage area.

The FBI & Hart Dynasty have issues
Backstage, we see Tyson Kidd getting an energy drink when he turns around and runs straight into Tommy Rich. Rich begins railing about respect, but is cut off by David Hart Smith who tells Rich to 'go do some laps, it'll do you some good.' This makes Guido and Smothers show up and Tracey begins to say something about the great Italio-Canadian War of 1909 when Tyson simply cold cocks him. Brawl! At least for a moment, until the road agents, referees, and other wrestlers break the two teams up.

COMMERCIALS

North American Tournament - First Round
Elix Skipper vs. Jimmy Uso

Skipper had a battle plan going into this game and it was fairly obvious - stay the hell out of Uso's way. Elix rolled, ducked, and leap frogged from Uso's attacks early on, before going on offense himself with a big dropkick, cross body, and even big senton on Uso. However, it seemed obvious that Uso would eventually get his way and it happened when Skipper went for an Asai Moonsault and flew right into a big powerslam from the Samoan. After that, Skipper was putty in Uso's hand and the big man tossed Skipper around before hitting a big lariat and getting the pinfall after a hyoooge flying headbutt.

[First Round - North American Title]:
Jimmy Uso pinned Elix Skipper after a flying headbutt in 0:06:13.
Rating: ** 3/4

Before the next match, Petey Williams came out and confirmed the rumors that Charles Robinson had ran out on AAPW after his first professional wrestling match. Since Robinson was supposed to be Petey's opponent in the first round, that meant Williams advanced automatically. Not so fast, as 'Skinny Bop' played and out came Dunn! Some ROH fans popped as the former member of the Ring Crew Express ran out to the ring!

North American Tournament - First Round
Dunn vs. Petey Williams

Petey Williams was in shock he had to wrestle a guy like Dunn, but quickly got into wrestling mode when Dunn nailed him with a huge flying clothesline to start off the match. The former member of Team Canada quickly fought back, but had to deal with being the larger man for one of the few times in his wrestling career. As a result, Williams tried to hit several suplexes and keep the match grounded, but the hyper Dunn slipped out of several moves in succession and even moved out of the way of the Canadian Destroyer. A little woozy, Williams got up and walked right into a superkick and the All Dunn and shockingly, Dunn had won his first match in AAPW and advanced in the North American title tournament!

[First Round - North American Tournament]:
Dunn pinned Petey Williams with the All Dunn in 0:06:15.
Rating: ** 1/2

COMMERCIALS

The Original Playa' from Himalaya is ready for Hernandez
In the locker room, Sonjay Dutt was strapping on his boots when Maryse interrupted him. After being disappointed that Maryse wasn't interrupting him in the locker room for another reason, Dutt told Maryse that tonight was about speed versus power, talent versus raw skill, and of course, good looks versus those of a Cro-Magnon man. After tonight, the fans would be looking forward to a battle of the ages between Jeff Hardy and himself and they wouldn't have to worry about a lout like Hernandez ruining things.

David Hart Smith vs. Little Guido

As both men came down to the ringside area, it quickly got crowded with tag partners and managers. However, the match itself was clean at first as Guido tried to outwrestle DHS, but Smith quickly reminded Guido that he was the son of a great wrestler and give as good as he got. After having a takedown reversed into a pinning position that then got turned into a fireman's carry slam, Guido rolled to the outside and conferred with Tommy Rich and Tracey Smothers as Tyson Kidd paced on the outside. A moment later, Guido got back in the ring and did what member's of the FBI do best - cheat like a mutha'. An eye poke followed by a takedown led Guido locking in a submission hold in the middle of the ring. The crowd stomped their feet in support of DHS and the son of the British Bulldog was able to power out of it and throw Guido into the corner. But, then Smith made a mistake. He rushed into the corner. Guido got out of the way and not only did DHS taste the corner, he also tasted the outstretched boot of one Tracey Smothers. Dazed, Guido stopped distracting the referee and locked in the Fujiwara Armbar known as Arrivederci. With nowhere to go, Smith had to tap out.

Little Guido pinned David Hart Smith with the Arrivederci in 0:07:53.
Rating: *** 3/4

Tyson Kidd was immediately in the ring, but so were Smothers and Rich and there was a stand-off. After a moment, Smith got up and talked Tyson into walking into the back, but not before making some less than friendly gestures toward both Guido & Smothers.

COMMERCIALS

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Number One Contender's Match
Hernandez vs. Sonjay Dutt

From the beginning of this match, both men were throwing bombs as Dutt rushed into the ring, sprung off the ropes and nailed Hernandez with a dropkick, then went for a reverse 'rana that the big man from past the border turned into a modified throw then drilled Dutt with a spear! From there, Hernandez went to work on the former TNA Guru, hitting him kicks, punches, slams, and even a huge Gorilla Press that made Dutt taste the mat. However, Dutt showed he wasn't out of it by slipping out of a pumphandle slam, then drilling Hernandez with a big Yazuka kick and then taking him down with a big facebuster. But, Hernandez quickly kicked out at two, then when Dutt went for a moonsault caugh him. One powerslam later and it looked like Dutt was not long for this matchup. Dutt managed to fight out of a big powerbomb attempt and even hit a few offensive moves of his own, but then he went for a running shooting star press, only for Hernandez to get his knees up. One Border Toss later and the main event for Rising Dawn was set!

Number-One-Contenders-Match:
Hernandez pinned Sonjay Dutt with the Border Toss in 0:12:00.
Rating: ** 1/2

Hernandez celebrated as the show closed, making belt motions.

Post-Show Notes :

The main event for Rising Dawn is set and it will be Jeff Hardy defending the AAPW Heavyweight Title against Hernandez!

In addition, we now have official confirmation that Mick Foley will face a newcomer from Mexico, Televisa Deportes in a first-round match in the North American tournament while Matt Hardy will also face another newcomer, currently not known.

Also, Tracey Smother will face Tyson Kidd as a result of tonight's confrontation between the FBI and the Hart Dynasty. All that and more on the next Friday Night Fights!

[JoshiQ]

Tajiri and Whipwreck were a fun tag team. Glad to see them get in quite a bit of offense, but I was hoping they'd pull out the victory.

Alex Riley's character so far has been great. I don't mind him taking the loss since it looks like he thinks he is greater than he actually is. Good stuff.

You got a laugh out of me with the comment about the great Italy/Canada war of 1909. A feud between the Hart Dynasty and the FBI should be gold.

I have no idea who Dunn is so I'll have to look him up.

Did Charles Robinson quit or did you fire him? I'm assuming he might have been one of those guys that came in via 'm', but not really sure. Sad to see him go as I thought you could have done something fun with him.

Hernandez and Hardy could be an interesting main even as hopefully Hernandez gets pushed hard leading up to the show.

Looking forward to more.

[jesseewiak]

AAPW Friday Night Fights

Live from the Webster Bank Arena in Bridgeport, CT

Main Event Hype
After the opening and pyro, Hudson and Funk went over the results of last week, the continuation of the North American tournament, and most importantly, the main event of the evening. Jeff Hardy and Hernandez would face off in a six man match, with each man having to find his own partners for the evening that aren't already busy in other matches.

North American Tournament - First Round
The Masked Marvel vs. Matt Hardy

The Masked Marvel was announced from parts unknown and Scott Hudson explained that the Marvel had told AAPW officials he was a well-known wrestler, but couldn't reveal his identity until after he became the North American champion. Hardy was more amused than anything with Marvel, as the masked man came out with his blue cape and red mask. That was, until the Marvel jumped him before the match began and simply began to whoop on him, throwing him from pillar to post. The masked man hit a big suplex, then went to the top rope and hit Hardy with a sloppy cross body for a two count. Marvel then took Hardy down, but as Marvel tried to lock on some sort of submission hold, the elder Hardy brother reversed and nearly got the pinfall after a cradle, then drilled the masked man with a dropkick to the face as the Marvel tried to get up! Hardy then went to the second rope himself and nailed the Marvel with a second-rope legdrop to a big pop, but to no avail as the Marvel kicked out again. Both men were a little slow to get up, but Matt went for the Side Effect, but the Marvel elbowed out of it, went low on Hardy, then took him down and out with a Samoan Drop. Matt was slow to get up, only to walk straight into a Lifting DDT of all things for the pinfall!

[First Round - North American Tournament]:
The Masked Marvel pinned Matt Hardy with the Lifting DDT in 0:09:25.
Rating: ** 1/4

As the crowd booed the result as they quickly realized the trick that had been played on them, the Masked Marvel unmasked and to no one's surprise revealed himself as Alex Riley. Hardy was pissed on the outside, yelling at Riley as the former collegiate sports standout simply laughed as he headed to the back.

Another warning shot thrown

In the interview area, Maryse Outlett was joined by the entirety of the Full Blooded Italians. Rich took the mic first and said that he had always hated Canadians. They looked funny, thought living among moose and polar bears made them special, and of course, attacked his home country of Italy without provocation simply because of the Beaver Pelt Tariff of 1901. So, now today, over a century later, the FBI would get their revenge by taking out the Hart Dynasty once and for all - for Italy! "For Italy," the rest of the crew cried, then headed to the back as Maryse looked at the camera with a confused look and Hudson said he didn't remember being taught about an Italo-Canadian War.

COMMERCIALS

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North American Tournament - First Round
Mick Foley vs. Televisa Deportes

As Mick Foley came to the ring, Hudson announced that Deportes was a wrestler from Mexico who thought he was the biggest sports star in all of Mexico, thus his name. Funk asked what happened to easy to understand names from luchadores like, "Blue Demon or El Santo. I mean, what's not to understand about a Blue Demon?" Deportes came to the ring, a decent-sized wrestler by luchadore standards and he took the fight right to Foley, taking him quickly down with a headscissors, then locking in a body scissors. Foley quickly got to the ropes, and kicked Deportes away. However, as Foley got up, Deportes took him down again and dropped a knee right on to the back of Foley, then hit him with a dropkick. Continuing to play the mouse, Foley tried to go after TD, but Televisa rolled out of the way and went low on Foley as the ref was confused, then hit a quick La Majistral for the near fall. Deportes then threw Foley into the corner and goes for a monkey flip - Foley throws him off! Deportes gets up quickly, mandible claw! Kick to the gut by Deportes to get out of it and then takes Foley to the mat with a hiptoss. Televisa then tries to throw Foley into the corner, but Mick reverses it. The Hardcore Legend runs into the corner with a knee, but Deportes dives out of the way and Foley drives his own knee into the post. Mick stumbles out - abdominal stretch right in the middle of the ring. The crowd tries to get Foley to get out of the hold, but after a minute, with nowhere to go, Foley submits!

[First Round - North American Tournament]:
Televisa Deportes defeated Mick Foley when Mick Foley passed out in the abdominal stretch in 0:05:59.
Rating: ***

The crowd booed as Deportes played to the crowd, doing a little dance and getting his hand raised. Foley rolled outside with his head hung low, looking at the ring with a hangdog look.

Skipper & Williams are together for now.

Backstage, Maryse Outlett interviewed Elix Skipper and Petey Williams, who explained that they decided to team up after seeing how they'd been treated by AAPW managed in the previous week. Elix being forced in the ring with a 'clumsy oafish Samoan like Uso' and Petey Williams not being even being told who he was wrestling. It was a total conspiracy against the two most talented men in AAPW and tonight, they'll show Uso and that over-the-hill has been Jerry Lynn why they deserve a new chance in the North American tournament.

COMMERCIALS

Hernandez makes an offer.

Backstage, we see the number one contender knocking on a locker room door. Mafia, tag team title on his shoulder, opened the door with a scowl and asked Hernandez what the hell he wanted. Hernandez explained he had an offer for Da Hit Squad. Team up with him tonight, take out Hardy and, "whoever else he scrounges out to team with." Mafia responsed, 'we don't go no problem with Hardy." We heard Mack say something about kicking his ass in the background as Hernandez simply responded, "I do have a problem with though. And I'm willing to pay for the help." Again, Mack was heard in the background saying, "did I hear money?" as Mafia welcomed Hernandez in, then shot a look at the cameraman.

Tracey Smothers vs. Tyson Kidd

Before the match, the referee sent everyone to the back as Rich complained about anti-Italian bias in AAPW and that, "I thought this was All-_American_ Pro Wrestling!" Back in the ring, as Kidd looked at the rest of the FBI leaving, Smothers attacked him from behind and began going stomping the hell out of Kidd. After a few more moments of violence from Tracey, he actually hit the first actually wrestling hold of the match, taking Kidd down with a double underhook suplex and going for the pinfall. After a two count, Smothers continued on offense with punches and kicks before dropping Kidd with a big dropkick and going for another suplex. This time though, Kidd slid out of it and took Smothers out with a perfect spinwheel kick. Tyson then went to the second rope and got a near fall after a second-rope sunset flip, then nailed Smothers with a running knee. A little confused, Smothers threw punches wildly, only for Kidd to hit a big bulldog to a pop from the crowd. Tyson Kidd then went to the top rope and dived off the top , but Smothers got his knees up and Kidd slid to the outside. Smothers followed him and kicked the crap out of Tyson and threw him to the ringside barrier. But, as Tracey charged, Tyson managed to dive out of the way and Smothers ate cold hard steel. Both men were slow to get up, but as Smothers slowly climbed into the ring, he grabbed the ref by his shirt. On the outside, Kidd got up only for TOMMY RICH to come from outside the crowd and nail Tyson with a chain! With Tyson down, Smothers tossed Kidd back in the ring. He waited for Kidd to get up, the dropped him with the Southern Kick (spinwheel kick) for the easy 1-2-3.

Tracey Smothers pinned Tyson Kidd with the Southern Kick in 0:12:29.
Rating: ** 1/2
[Tommy Rich interfered against Tyson Kidd.]

Smothers celebrated in the ring as he went to the back and the rest of the FBI came out to celebrate with him.

COMMERCIALS

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Coming back from commercials, Whipwreck & Tajiri were already in the ring with their manager James Mitchell. Mitchell explained that AAPW officials has told them they were to face-off against a debuting tag team. Then, out of nowhere, came ROH mainstays Jimmy Jacobs & BJ Whitmer along with Lacey. The crowd half-cheered half-mehed this debut as both teams faced off.

Jacobs & Whitmer w/ Lacey vs. Tajiri & Whipwreck w/ James Mitchell

After a moment, the bell rung and Jimmy Jacobs faced off against Whipwreck. The two men traded holds after locking up, but Jacobs got the early advantage. Several quick takedowns, dropkicks, and a big hiptoss met Jimmy was on a roll, as he nailed Whipwreck with a snap suplex and stomped the hell out of Whipwreck on the ground. As Whipwreck got up, Jimmy hit a flash running knee and a standing senton to get a two count. The crowd cheered as Jacobs went to the top rope but Mikey shook the ropes and Jimmy fell to the mat. Whipwreck hit a quick stiff dropkick to the face, then rolled over and tagged in Tajiri. The crowd buzzed as the Japanese Buzzsaw went to work on Jacobs destroying him with kicks and knees as Jacobs slowly got to his feet. However, every time he got close, Tajiri zeroed in and unleashed another flurry of strikes on Jacobs. The crowd booed as Tajiri grimly smiled and finally let Jacobs get to his feet. It looked like this was only a set-up for the coup de grace as Tajiri tried to lock him in the Tarantula, but Jacobs had the presence of mind to backdrop Tajiri to the outside! Tajiri was confused on the outside as Jacobs dived and tagged in Whitmer. To a big pop, Whitmer then dived off the railing on to Tajiri with a huge axehandle. He then rolled Tajiri inside and to the cheers of the ground nailed him with a huuuuge big boot as the Japanese Buzzsaw slowly got to his feet, then picked him up and drilled him with a massive German Suplex. Whitmer went for the pinfall, but Tajiri kicked out at 2.9. Whitmer then picked up Tajiri up again, kicked him in the gut and was setting him for a turnbuckle powerbomb, but Tajiri slid out of the pinfall attempt and rolled Whitmer into a two count, then tagged Mikey in quickly. Whipwreck came in with a springboard dropkick on to Whitmer, then quickly hit a bit front-facing jawbreaker for a near fall. Whitmer got up, but Whipwreck nailed with a kick to the gut and a single arm DDT. Mikey then tagged Tajiri back in and the two men brought Whitmer up and dropped him with a double front suplex on to the ropes. Tajiri then simply picked Whipwreck up - BRAINBUSTER! From there, it was all over as Tajiri & Whipwreck got the pinfall victory.

Whipwreck & Tajiri defeated Lacey's Angels (Whitmer & Jacobs) when Tajiri pinned Whitmer with the Brain Buster in 0:10:56.
Rating: **

Mitchell's Disciple's rose their hands to a big heel response as Mitchell talked trash to both Whitmer & Jacobs. Whitmer looked like he wanted to go after Mitchell, but Lacey held him back and Jacob's tried to talk sense into BJ as they headed to the backstage area.

The AAPW Champion has his second...and third man.
In the backstage area, Jeff Hardy is walking with Sonjay Dutt as they approached David Hart Smith. Jeff told him they understood he wanted a shot at the FBI, but what better way to show the FBI that he wasn't to be messed with then taking on the tag champs and the number one contender. "Plus, you got the champ and the Original Playa as backup," added Dutt. DHS simply shrugged, then told Jeff, I'm in.

COMMERCIALS

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Elix Skipper & Petey Williams vs. Jimmy Uso & Jerry Lynn

Starting off, this was a case of 'something here doesn't belong.' If you guessed the large Samoan men, you win the kewpie doll as early on, it was a case of Uso facing off against both Petey and Elix early on and as a result, Uso throwing Williams and Skipper like the large Samoan man he happens to be. Uso then continued to dominate, hitting Williams with a few forearms and headbutts. He then sent Petey into the corner and nailed him with a huge avalanche in the corner. Petey stumbled out of the corner and fell directly to the mat only to then get drilled with a huge Yoko-style legdrop. Uso went for the pinfall, but Skipper ran in and broke up the pin quickly. That meant Uso turned around and went after Elix allowing Petey a moment to rest, then come from behind and attack the big man. Mainly with punches, forearms, and a big bulldog. Petey then went to the second ropes and took him down with a huge missile dropkick, a quick jawbreaker, and a big ole' spinwheel kick. However, Uso didn't fall down. So, Williams rushed Uso again and went for a headscissors takedown, but the Samoan simply threw him to the mat. To the cheers of the crowd, Lynn was tagged in, grabbed Williams and dropped him to the mat with a nasty wheelbarrow facebuster. Lynn then followed it up with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker and a huge fireman's carry powerbomb for a near fall and a big pop from the crowd. Lynn then went to the top rope and dived off with a moonsault, but Williams caught him and sent him to the mat with a fallaway slam. Petey then rolled over and tagged in Elix, who came in and nailed Lynn with a quick crescent kick to the head and immediately went for a springboard legdrop, but Lynn rolled out of the way. The two former X Division stalwarts went after each other with quick reversals, but Lynn got the advantage and dropped Skipper to the mat with a modified DDT, then tagged in Uso. The big man from the islands sent Elix into the ropes and hit a huge powerslam. Uso played to the crowd, then went to the top rope and as the crowd buzzed - FLYING HEADBUTT! NO! SKIPPER ROLLED OUT OF THE WAY!

COMMERCIALS

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Coming back from commercial, both men were down on the mat as they went towards their corner. Uso was closer and quickly tagged Lynn back in, who dragged Elix to the middle of the ring as he flipped his lid, legs kicking like a three year old. Lynn nailed Skipper with a spike DDT and went to the top rope. But, it was the corner near Petey and the former member of Team Canada threw insults at Lynn, who responded as he attempted to steady himself. This bought Skipper time, who shook the ropes causing Lynn to fall to the mat. Lynn got up, but quickly got nailed by a springboard lariat out of nowhere allowing Skipper to go for the pinfall and surprisingly get the three count after holding the tights!

Elix Skipper & Petey Williams defeated Jimmy & Jerry Lynn when Skipper pinned Lynn after a springboard lariat in 0:18:31.
Rating: *** 1/4

Skipper and Williams celebrated like they'd just beat The Road Warriors as Lynn sprung up to his feet and complained to the referee. Lynn simply started at Elix and Petey as Uso clapped his partner on his shoulder. That made Lynn turn around and staredown Uso before heading to the back.

COMMERCIALS

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Jeff Hardy, Sonjay Dutt, and David Hart Smith vs. Hernandez & Da Hit Squad

Right from the start, this match was more a fight than anything else. Hernandez and surprisingly, DHS faced off first with David throwing hard strikes on the big man, but Hernandez fighting right back throwing strikes and forearms. The big TexMex supertar threw DHS around, including a huge delayed suplex that caused the ring to shake and Hernandez to point at Jeff. Hernandez then tagged in Monsta Mack who also went to work on Smith. One half of the tag team champs simply beat on Smith before tagging his partner and dropping DHS with an overhead belly-to-belly. However, Mafia went for a suplex of his own, but DHS fought out of it and used his pure strength to toss Mafia into the corner. David then tagged in Dutt, who came in with a few quick strikes, then took Mafia down with a headscissors takedown into a cross armbar. Monsta quickly came in and dropped on to Dutt with a big axehandle breaking up the move. The tag champs then beat on Dutt, but as the went for a double clothesline, but Dutt ducked under and hit a huge Asai Moonsault on to both men. Hardy was then tagged in, hit a big hiptoss on to Monsta who rolled to the outside. Hardy then sent Mafia into the corner, hit him with a huge splash then went to the outside and nailed Mafia with a big ole' corner dropkick. Hardy went for the pinfall, but Monsta grabbed his legs and pulled him to the outside. That made Dutt and DHS also go to the outside and the match quickly broke down into a six-way brawl on the outside. Hernandez and Jeff Hardy were the two men who came back in the ring and faced off to a pop from the crowd. Jeff hit a few right hands, sent Hernandez into the corner, but Hernandez rolled out of the way and Jeff crashed into the corner. On the outside, Mafia sent Dutt into the ringside barrier, then got back in the ring. Mafia & Hernandez sent Hardy into the ropes then drilled him with a huge double lariat. Mafia then tagged in Monsta Mack and it looked like they were going to set up for some sort of double team, but Hardy slipped out and hit a mule kick on Mafia and dropkicked him to the outside. Mack rushed Hardy, but Jeff ducked under and hit a huge floatover DDT to a big pop. Hardy looked to the top rope, but then tagged in David Hart Smith. Monsta got to a vertical base, only for DHS to drill him with a few strikes and forearms, then sent Mack into the ropes and dropped him with a huge powerslam. But, at that exact moment, Little Guido of all people came to the ringside area. Guido tossed some insults at DHS and David responsed, only to turn around straight into a huge running lariat out of nowhere. Monsta then picked Smith up and in a bit of an insult, hit a big running powerslam for the pinfall. Hardy tried to make the save, but Hernandez hit a huge boot to stop him from breaking up the pin.

Da Hit Squad and Hernandez defeated Jeff Hardy, Sonjay Dutt and David Hart Smith when Monsta pinned D.H. Smith after a running powerslam in 0:11:07.
Rating: ***

The crowd was not happy as both the AAPW tag champs and Hernandez raised their hands in victory. Hernandez made belt motions for Hardy. That made Jeff rush Hernandez and the two men began to brawl. A bit out of sorts, Hernandez quickly dropped the champion with a kick to the gut and a huge powerbomb as the show ended.

[jesseewiak]

Dec 15, 2011 18:08:17 GMT -5 JoshiQ said:

Tajiri and Whipwreck were a fun tag team. Glad to see them get in quite a bit of offense, but I was hoping they'd pull out the victory.

Don't worry, both men will get a solid push. Just didn't get the duke against the Colony.

I have no idea who Dunn is so I'll have to look him up.

ROH guy. Came in via the 'm' key. Typical undercard underdog character.

Did Charles Robinson quit or did you fire him? I'm assuming he might have been one of those guys that came in via 'm', but not really sure. Sad to see him go as I thought you could have done something fun with him.

Yup. 'M' key + one card = not wanting to resign. Too bad.

[snabbit888]

It's going to take me a little bit to really get into this. It's well-written, but a lot of these characters I either a) don't know or b) don't particularly like. That is no fault of your own - just some of these guys don't speak to me. That being said, you have an easy to read style and the segments are interesting. It's just going to take me a bit to get fully onboard with who you've got here.

That being said, the Alex Riley stuff has been great. I love a good weasel heel, and he's been great so far. Jeff Hardy is a great first champion being your biggest star. Don't see Hernandez dethroning him.

I'll be reading.

Oh, and you need dates for your shows. Makes it easier for us to reference and keep things in order.

[jesseewiak]

AAPW Friday Night Fights

January 15, 2010

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Live from the Verizon Wireless Arena in Manchester, New Hampshire

A Freak for a World Champ?

As the show opening ended, Hernandez made his way to the ring. After insulting David Hart Smith for failing last week, he turned his attention to his opponent at Rising Dawn, Jeff Hardy. He explained that at the PPV, he'd show once and for all that it was a fluke that he wasn't the AAPW Champion right now and the whole world would see that Hardy was nothing but a freak who shouldn't be in the main event of any wrestling show. After that statement, Jeff Hardy and Sonjay Dutt came to the ring and challenged Hernandez to a tag match later on in the show. Hernandez simply grimly smiled and stated, 'you just don't know what you two walked into.'

Hudson & Funk went over the rest of tonight's show including a five-man 'Last Change Gulch' match to determine the last two particerpants in the North American title tournament, a big tag title match, and a four-corners match involving members of four other tag teams before sending things to commercials.

COMMERCIALS

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Before the next match started, Hudson explained the rules. It'd be a five-way match with no tags, only pinfalls allowed, and the last two men remaining would qualify back into the North American tournament. However, the winner of the match would also be one of two men to choose their opponent in the tournament as the other four men would draw to determine who'd they face off against.

'Last Chance Gulch' Match
Elix Skipper vs. Matt Hardy vs. Mick Foley vs. Petey Williams vs. Rick Steiner

Not surprisingly, this was a confusing mess right from the start. With five men knowing there were only two places, it was an all-out assault right away. Skipper & Williams worked as a team, throwing hit 'n' run attacks on the other three competitors in the match, going after Steiner, Foley, and Hardy in quick succession. It looked like that gameplan would come to a quick fruition after they hit a suplex-moonsault combo on Matt Hardy, but Mick Foley made the save and then went after both men. Foley tossed Williams to the outside, then went to work on Elix Skipper, throwing him from pillar to post as Rick Steiner & Matt Hardy traded shots in the corner. Foley went for a big double-arm DDT after a shin kick, but Skipper was able to wriggle out, then hit Foley with a dropkick into the corner – the same corner that Rick Steiner was in with Matt Hardy.

As a result, Matt Hardy rolled to the outside, and Rick Steiner attacked Foley. But, Mick fought right back with punches and kicks of his own. Then, Elix and Petey snuck their noses back into things. Going after Foley & Steiner, they first took down Rick with a double dropkick to the back of the head, then went after Foley. However, Foley ran through a double clothesline attempt, then drilled both of them with a big clothesline of his own. Matt Hardy then pulled Petey Williams to the outside as Elix Skipper got up – DOUBLE ARM DDT! Easy pin and Skipper was out of the match.

x Foley defeated Skipper after a double arm DDT in 0:09:26

As soon as he got up, Foley was nailed with a STEINERLINE by Rick Steiner who went on the offensive as Hardy & Williams brawled on the outside. Steiner then quickly hit a waistlock takedown on Steiner as he attempted to get to his feet, and pounded him with meaty forearm attacks on the ground. Foley slowly got up, only to get hit with a big kick followed by a huge delayed vertical suplex. As both men attempted to get back up in the ring, Petey Williams bailed as Matt Hardy jumped on to him from the steps and Matt ate the guardrail! Meanwhile, back in the ring, Rick Steiner picked up Foley and eliminated him with a pin after dropping him to the mat with a nasty Steiner Driver!

x R. Steiner defeated Foley after the Steiner Driver in 0:12:21

As Steiner raised his arms, he was hit with a huge dive by Petey Williams, who then proceeded to hit a big spinwheel kick on Steiner as the crowd rained down boos on the Canadian. After drilling Steiner with a Cradle DDT, Petey then went up top and got the big 'rana on Steiner, cradling him into a pinfall and eliminating him.

x P. Williams defeated R. Steiner after a rana in 0:13:35

Petey rose to his feet, only to get clipped by Matt Hardy who had been laying in wait for a moment. As the crowd cheered, Hardy signaled for the Side Effect, but Williams got out of the way! Petey then attempted to go for the Canadian Destroyer, but Matt was also ready for him and as a result, Petey ate the middle turnbuckle. Stumbling out, Matt grabbed Petey and easily pinned him after hitting an inverted DDT!

[Last Chance Gulch]: 5-Man Battle Royal:
Matt Hardy won a 5-man Battle Royal:
x Foley defeated Skipper after a double arm DDT in 0:09:26
x R. Steiner defeated Foley after the Steiner Driver in 0:12:21
x P. Williams defeated R. Steiner after a rana in 0:13:35
x M. Hardy defeated P. Williams after an inverted DDT in 0:14:26
Rating: *** ¾

As the crowd cheered, Matt rose his arms in victory before making a belt motion and making his way to the mat. Hudson pointed out that after last week, it's obvious who Matt will want to face in the tournament, but the question is, will he be able to have that opportunity after the six-man that's next up?

COMMERCIALS

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It's A Business, Son.

Backstage, Maryse Outlett was standing next to Da Hit Squad as she asked them about teaming up with Hernandez last week and would there be any future alliance with him? Maff explained that they were in this business to make money and everything else was secondary. Monsta then added, 'If next week, Hardy haz the money, we'll take Hernandez out just like we did Smith or Dutt.' Maryse then asked about the tag title match later tonight and if they were worried about the FBI. Maff responded by asking Maryse that if she looked like them, would they be worried about the FBI? Monsta then added that they were from New York and knew real Italians and the only thing that worried them is Tommy Rich sitting on them. Maryse sent it back to Hudson & Funk as the tag champs laughed.

Jimmy Uso, Jerry Lynn, and Dunn vs. Alex Riley, Televisa Desportes, and Pentagon.

As the two teams headed to the ring, Hudson explained that whoever got the pin in this match would get the first pick on who they'd face in the quarter-finals of the North American tournament. It was obvious from the start that Riley was much closer with Desportes & Pentagon, even wearing his 'Masked Marvel' mask down to ringside than the fan favorites. While neither of the three faces were unhappy with each other, it was obvious they each had their own plans early on in the match. After Dunn was dominated and thrown around by Alex Riley, Jimmy Uso tagged himself in and threw some nasty headbutts, chops, and kicks on Riley before throwing him to the mat and dropping him with a big elbow. Uso then tagged in Lynn, who hit a few strikes and kicks on Riley before attempting to bring him down with a fisherman's suplex. However, Riley blocked it and quickly took down Lynn down with a suplex of his own before tagging in Pentagon. Lynn and Pentagon faced off, but Pentagon poked Lynn in the eye and went for a kick to the gut. But, Lynn was ready despite the temporary 20/80 vision and turned the kick into a quick legsweep. Lynn then dropkicked Pentagon into the corner and went for a cradle, but Pentagon his a backward kick into the 'upper thigh' region of Lynn who fell back into the corner of the ring. The crowd booed as as Desportes quickly came in, helped Pentagon hit a double dropkick on Lynn that sent him out of the ring! The crowd continued to boo as Pentagon then hit a standing top on both Lynn & Dunn who was trying to help Jerry up. Uso tried to come over to help both men, but Alex Riley rushed him and the two bigger men started brawling. Pentagon quickly tossed Lynn back in the ring, then hit his modified cradle he calls the Pentaclutch to get the quick 1-2-3 before the other 4 men in the match even realized what was happening!

Alex Riley, Pentagon and Televisa Deportes defeated Jimmy Uso, Jerry Lynn and Dunn when Pentagon pinned J. Lynn with the Pentaclutch in 0:07:53.
Rating: **

After the match was over, the three 'winners' didn't look completely happy with each other. While Desportes shrugged, Riley began pushing and poking at Pentagon a little bit, before Pentagon got fed up and simply slapped Alex down to the mat! The crowd had a mixed response, before Pentagon ushered Hudson into the ring. He said something in Spanish to Hudson, who then announced to the crowd that Pentagon had said that next week, he will once again show to these American's that Jerry Lynn is a useless wrestler. The crowd booed that as Lynn simply pointed at Pentagon and headed to the back. However, before the segment headed, Matt Hardy came back to the top of the ramp and simply said, “Next week, Riley, I get my revenge!”

COMMERCIALS

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AAPW Tag Title Match
Da Hit Squad © vs. The Full Blooded Italians w/ Tommy Rich

In a huge shock, a match between ECW alumni and men known for their ability to brawl started off with a four-way brawl. Even though Guido was by far the smallest man in this match, he got off a few snap kicks, dropkicks, and attacks on Maff while Tracey Smothers and Monsta Mack quickly brawled to the outside trading shots on the ramp. However, Maff eventually got the advantage and began hitting power moves and a few suplexes in succession on the lighweight technician even getting a near-fall early off a half-nelson suplex. However, after hitting a fireman's carry slam, Maff got a little greedy and went to the top rope. He dived off with a less-than-stellar cannonball senton and Guido simply rolled out of the way! From there, Guido went to work on Maff slicing him apart with kicks and stomps on the ground as Maff attempted to get up. As this went on, Mack & Smothers continued to trade fist and kicks up and down the ramp. However, as Maff slowly got to his feet, Guido drilled him with a running kick to the face and then went to the top rope himself. As the crowd booed, Guido came off the top with his modified bulldog he calls the Sicilian Slice. It looked like Guido was going to get the pin after hooking the leg when Monsta Mack came out of nowhere with a slingshot splash on to both Guido & Maff!

With all three men on the mat, Mack was the least hurt and quickly got to his corner as Smothers got back to the ringside area. Both Guido & Maff slowly got up, but Maff took a big leap and tagged in Mack before Guido could get over to his cousin from Southern Italy via Kentucky. After a few clubbering forearms, Mack simply grabbed Guido and raised him in a big military press and as the crowd cheered, dropped him on the ropes. Guido fell back in the ring and as he got up, got grabbed and dropped back to the mat with a massive overhead belly-to-belly suplex courtesey of Monsta' Mack. But, then Monsta' Mack made a mistake. He forgot Guido is a dangerous competitor, even if you're a hundred pounds bigger than him. Monsta rushed Guido as he got up with a running lariat, but the 'Godfather' of the FBI was ready and took Mack down by the arm and quickly locked Mack into a Fujiwara Armbar! Mack was close to the ropes and quickly draped a leg over one, but this momentum shift allowed Guido to bring Smothers in the ring for the first time all match and the two men stomped the heck out of Mack before hitting him with a huge double suplex. As Monsta slowly got up, Smothers got ready – JAWJACKER! NO! Monsta pushes him off and the two men square off trading punches!

COMMERCIALS

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As we come back from commercial, we're treated to the loveliness of Tracey Smothers spitting out to the crowd, but then turned around and drilled Monsta with a kick to the gut and a nasty wheelbarrow suplex. Smothers then picked up Monsta, yelling him the whole time and calling him Jersey trash, before sending him into the corner and running in with a clothesline, only for Mack to roll out of the way! Mack dived and tagged in Maff who came in and nailed Smothers with a BICYCLE KICK to a big pop, then followed it up with a Northern Lights Suplex for a near fall. After several more moves, Maff lifted him up into the Burning Hammer, but Smothers elbowed his way out of it and slid down the back of Mack and hit him with a waistlock suplex. Both men were down on the mat and the ref began his count as both men tried to get to their feet. Maff got up first and tagged Mack back in, but Smothers turned around and almost nonchalant hit Mack with a superkick! Smothers then went for the pin, only to get a two count. Tracey yelled at the ref before pulling Monsta up into the piledriver position, but then Monsta backdropped Smothers right into the middle of the ring. He then went into the corner and absolutely nailed Smothers with the running lariat also known as the Clothesline from Compton, then went to the top rope. At that moment, Tommy Rich decided the match was over as he waddled over and pushed Monsta off the top in full view of the referee!

Da Hit Squad (Mafia and Monsta Mack) defeated The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracey Smothers) when Monsta defeated T. Smothers by disqualification in 0:21:28.
Rating: *** 3/4
(Da Hit Squad retained the AAPW Tag Team Titles.)
[Tommy Rich interfered against Monsta Mack.]

The crowd boos the decision and continues to boo as Smothers & Guido go after the fallen Mack in the ring while Rich pulls Maff to the outside. The two wrestlers kick and stomp the hell out of Mack as Maff trades punches with Rich before half the tag champs hauls off and headbutts Rich before kicking him into the guardrail. Maff then heads into the ring, driving Smothers and Guido off as Da Hit Squad are handed their belts.

Multi-Colored Balls, Ahoy.
Cut to backstage where we see Maryse, a tumbler full of randomly colored balls, and the four other competitors in the North American tournament. Maryse explains that each wrestler will pick a ball and whomever picks the ball with the largest number on it will pick his opponent for the tournament. Petey Williams picks first and smiles before quickly putting on a stone face. Next up, Desportes grabs a ball and simply shakes his head. Jimmy Uso then steps up and after looking at his ball, looks up to the roof. Finally, Dunn takes his ball and turns around, showing his number to be '59.' Petey laughs and shows his number to be, '16.' Desportes shows his number to be '25' and tosses it back into the tumbler. Uso gets a big grin on his face and shows his ball, with the number '8.' William pitches a fit as Uso says, “Next week, it's gonna' be me and that spaz over there,” pointing at Williams. This did not make Petey any more as he continued to talk about conspiracies while Dunn and Desportes faced off.

COMMERCIALS

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Four-Corners Match
BJ Whitmer w/ Lacey vs. Fire Ant vs. David Hart Smith vs. Mikey Whipwreck w/ James Mitchell

In this four-corners match, BJ Whitmer and DHS started things off with several lock-ups, shoulderblocks, and even a double clothesline on each on in the early goings of this match. They then began to trade holds, reversals, and takedowns before the son of Davey Boy hit a few quick suplexes and finished things off with a big delayed vertical suplex to a pop from the crowd here in Manchester. Smith then tagged in Mikey Whipwreck, who immediately went to the top rope and got a near fall on Whitmer with a flying cross body. Whipwreck then hit a quick variey of kicks, strikes, and takedowns ending with a dropkick, spinwheel kick, and rana for a near fall of his own. Whitmer then got lucky as Mikey went up top again, going for a missile dropkick, allowing Whitmer to get out of the way and tag Fire Ant into the match for the first time. Fire Ant rushed into the mat, drilling Mikey with a roundhouse kick and a big dropkick before sending Whipwreck into the corner. Fire Ant then rushed into the corner and to a big pop nailed Whipwreck with a senton while he was still in the corner!

Fire Ant then went to the ring apron and attempted a somersault splash into the ring, only for Whipwreck to get his knees up. As the crowd booed, Whipwreck tagged in David Hart Smith. As a sign of sportsmanship, DHS allowed Fire Ant to get back to his feet and the two babyfaces traded holds, but Smith showed off his amateur credentials and got the advantage with several takedowns and pinfall attempts. However, as DHS went for a big suplex, Fire Ant slid down and quickly tried to hit his Beach Break (belly-to-back piledriver), only for DHS to slide down, hit Fire Ant with a knee and take him down hard to the mat with a big powerslam!

Smith then went for the Sharpshooter, but got stung himself as Fire Ant cradled him and then hit him with a big dropkick. Fire Ant went to the top rope and nearly got the pin after a flying cross body before tagging Mikey Whipwreck back in. Whipwreck and DHS traded shots before Mikey got the advantage. This allowed Mikey to go to the top rope and attempt a sunset flip from there, but DHS simply sat on him and again, got a near fall. Smith then tagged in BJ Whitmer, who did not show the same sportsmanship Smith did and immediately started to attack Whipwreck. After a few huge big boot and a running lariat, it looked like Whitmer was setting Whipwreck up for a powerbomb, but Whipwreck rana'd himself out of it and quickly tagged Smith back in the match!

However, as Smith came in, his leg got grabbed by Lacey. He turned around to shake her off which allowed Whitmer to come from behind and nail Smith with an attack from behind followed by a German Suplex and finished it up with a huge big boot. As the crowd booed, Whitmer signaled for the end and backed up. He was then shocked when Fire Ant tagged himself into the match to a big pop from the crowd here in Manchester. Fire Ant quickly came in and attempted to roll Smith into a pinfall, only for DHS to kick him off. The big Canadian then went after Fire Ant hitting several moves before going for a running powerslam! But, as DHS ran, Fire Ant slipped out and dropkicked David right into the turnbuckle. Falling back, Fire Ant hit a small package for the 1-2-3 victory!

Four Corners Match:
Fire Ant defeated BJ Whitmer, David Hart Smith and Mikey Whipwreck when Fire Ant pinned D.H. Smith after a small package in 0:19:10.
Rating: ****

Fire Ant raised his fist up in celebration to a big cheer from the crowd, only for BJ Whitmer to nail him from behind. It looked like Whitmer was upset and was setting Fire Ant up for a turnbuckle powerbomb when out of nowhere, Soldier Ant dropkicked him right in the face. Soon after, Tajiri, Tyson Kidd, and Jimmy Jacobs was out to the ring and it was a four-way brawl. Referees and agents quickly came down to break it up, but it seems like the tag-team division here in the AAPW has a lot more tension in it after this four way battle.

COMMERCIALS

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Coming back from commercials, the AAPW Champion and his partner came to the ringside and took the mic. Hardy simply asked, “Who'd you find, Hernandez?” as the crowd cheered. Hernandez then came down to the ramp with a mic of his own. He then announced his partner was a dangerous wrestler from Japan who had won titles, tournaments, and all kinds of matches over in Japan and now he was coming to AAPW to destroy the Hardy's and Sonjay Dutt. His name? Tatsuhito Takaiwa.

Jeff Hardy and Sonjay Dutt vs. Hernandez & Takaiwa

As Hernandez & Takaiwa slowly made their way down to the ring, Hardy and Dutt look surprised, but not afraid of the bald-headed and goatee'd Japanese man in plain black trunks who had a small grin on his face. In the ring, Hardy acqueisced to Dutt who wanted to get in the ring with Takaiwa. The two men traded holds for a moment, but Takaiwa quickly got the advantage and took Dutt down into a deep bodyscissors before pounding on him with punches and forearms to the sternum and back. Dutt got to the ropes, only to get kicked in the mush, then suplexed hard to the mat by Takaiwa. The Japanese backup for Hernandez continued his assault on Dutt, hitting him with stomps and kicks as Sonjay attempted to get back to his feet. Slowly, he got back up to a vertical base only to get absolutely annihilated by a big kick right in the face! Takaiwa then sent Dutt into the corner and rushed in, only for Sonjay to have enough presence to come out of the corner with a pendelum-style kick of his own, then take Takaiwa down to the mat with a big bulldog. Sonjay quickly rolled over and tagged in Hardy who came in a house of fire. He hit several dropkicks, then a big bulldog on Hardy before he headed to the second rope and hit a big diving legdrop on to Takaiwa for a near fall. Hardy then picked up Takaiwa for a suplex, but the former IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion blocked it and hit one of his own. He then waited for the Charismatic Enigma to get up and lariated the hell out of him to big heel heat as he then tagged in Hernandez. The challenger to the AAPW Title stepped in the ring and picked Hardy up by his hair before tossing him back to the mat with a choke-style suplex to admonishment from the referee and boos from the crowd here in Manchester. While the crowd continued to boo, Hernandez sent Hardy into the corner and rushed in with a big lariat. As Hardy stumbled out, Hernandez picked him up into a military press slam and dropped him into a gutbuster! The big man from Texas didn't even go for the pin, instead setting Hardy up for the Border Toss. However, as Hernandez got him in the Crucifix position, Hardy slid out of the hold, ran into the opposite corner and hit Hernandez with the WHISPER IN THE WIND!

As the crowd rose to their feet, Hardy tagged in Dutt and the two hit stereo dropkicks on Hernandez sending him to the outside. Dutt then got a huge pop as he dived out and hit Hernandez with a picture-perfect plancha after Hardy hit him with a baseball slide as he attempted to get back in the ring. Dutt tossed Hernandez back in the ring with some effort, and went to the ring apron. As Hernandez got back to his feet – SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT! NO! HERNANDEZ CAUGH HIM! TILT-A-WHIRL POWERSLAM! Hernandez then tagged Takaiwa back in and it looked like it was curtains for the Playa' from the Himalaya's. Takaiwa hit Dutt with several big suplexes and looked like he was setting him up for a powerbomb when Hardy came in the ring and dropkicked the Japanese star right in the face. This brought Hernandez into the ring and the two particerpants in Rising Dawn's main event began to brawl to the outside. Back in the ring, Takaiwa took Dutt down to the mat with a lariat, then went for a powerbomb again, but Dutt came back from the dead with a rana! Sonjay then stunned Takaiwa with a kick to the midsection and picked him up into the Bombay Busta' (vertical suplex into a facebreaker knee smash)! Going up top, the crowd popped big as he hit the corkscrew 450 known for the Hindus Press for the pinfall as Takaiwa kicked out right after three.

Jeff Hardy and Sonjay Dutt defeated Hernandez and Tatsuhito Takaiwa when S. Dutt pinned Takaiwa with the Hindu Press in 0:14:41.
Rating: ****

As the crowd cheered the victory, Hardy & Hernandez continued to brawl at the ringside area. Dutt raised his hands in victory – TAKAIWA FROM BEHIND! POWERBOMB BY TAKAIWA! After leaving Dutt laying, the Japanese star drilled Hardy from behind with a baseball slide allowing Hernandez to gain the advantage and toss the AAPW Champion into the steps. He then threw Hardy in the ring – POWERBOMB ON HARDY BY TAKAIWA!

Once again, Friday Night Fights ended with Hernandez raising his arms in victory, only this time he had a new partner at his side.

[jesseewiak]

AAPW Friday Night Fights
January 22, 2010
Live in Portland, Maine at the Cumberland County Civic Center

Hudson & Funk Welcome Us To The Show

After the pyro and opening credits, Scott Hudson and Terry Funk welcomed us to the last edition of Friday Night Fights before Rising Dawn and announced that along with the singles debut of Takaiwa in the main event against Jeff Hardy, there’s be a tag team gauntlet match to determine the number one contender's to the title, and the quarter-finals of the North American Title Tournament. Hudson brought up the brackets and both men picked a winner. Funk said that Jimmy Uso had the size and skill to become the champion while Hudson remarked that of all the men, Jerry Lynn was the only former World Champion so he was going with him despite his early struggles in AAPW.

Official North American Tournament Bracket

Jimmy Uso
Petey Williams

Jerry Lynn
Pentagon

Dunn
Televisa Desportes

Alex Riley
Matt Hardy

North American Title Tournament – Quarter-Finals
Jimmy Uso vs. Petey Williams

From the very start of the match, it was obvious that Petey's main plan in this match was to avoid the large Samoan. From rolling outside of the ring to quick steps to the right and left, Petey did his best to not get in any situation where he would be close to Uso for long periods of time. For the first minutes of this match, this seemed to work well as Petey was able to hit several dropkicks, attacks from behind, and even bring Uso to the mat with a swinging DDT from the second rope. However, Uso then went for a flying sunset flip from the top rope, but Jimmy simply sat on the former X-Division champion and got a two count. After that, Uso went on the attack, driving his skull directly into Petey's melon and hitting with him a lariat and following it up with a huge elbowdrop on the fallen Canadian. After another near fall, Uso picked Williams up and sent him into the corner and ran in for an avalanche splash, but Petey rolled to the right and Uso ate turnbuckle! Williams then hit a quick Cradle DDT to further attack Uso's neck, then as the Samoan quickly got up – CANADIAN DESTROYER! One pinfall later and Petey Williams was in the semi-finals.

[North American Tournament - Quarter-Finals]:
Petey Williams pinned Jimmy Uso with the Canadian Destroyer in 0:07:29.
Rating: *** ½

Williams celebrated in the ring, making the belt motion as he headed to the back and Hudson sent things to the backstage area.

Jeff Hardy Not Worried About Takaiwa
Maryse Outlett was backstage with the AAPW Heavyweight Champion, Jeff Hardy and she asked about his big match tonight against Tatsuhito Takaiwa and whether it was a mistake to have a match against such a physical competitor only two days before his title defense against Hernandez? Hardy explained that he had fallen off ladders, been thrown into cages, and stacked on to tables, and got out the very next night and performed. Hardy then added whatever Takaiwa could do in the ring, he had done worse himself to the ring and after Sunday, he'd still be the AAPW Heavyweight Champion.

COMMERCIALS

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North American Title Tournament – Quarter-Finals
Dunn vs. Televisa Desportes

This match went to the mat from the very start as the arrogant Desportes quickly took Dunn to the mat and tried to get the submission early. But, Dunn was able to reverse most of the attempted holds on Desportes and even get a few takedowns and cradles of his own in the opening moments of the match. Dunn then hit a quick dropkick and sunset flip combo to get a near-fall, only for Desportes to respond with a several hard elbow shots and a waistlock suplex. After stomping on Dunn a few times, Desportes sent him into the ropes and nailed him with a hard powerslam for a two count. Dunn showed he wasn't out of it though, as he hit a dropkick on to Desportes as the self-proclaimed 'Mexican Sports Legend' attempted a flying dropkick from the top rope. Both men fell to the mat, but Dunn slowly got up first and hit a few suplexes and even attempted to lock on a half Crab, but Desportes slipped out of it and took the former ROH stalwart down with a kneelock submission. Dunn scrambled to the ropes and got out of the hold quickly, but Desportes smelled blood and hit a swift dropkick to the knee and then locked on a Boston Crab! Near the ropes, Dunn got to the ropes after a few moments. As soon as he got up though, Desportes quickly suplexed him into the middle of the ring, then locked on his dangerous abdominal stretch! Dunn tried to slowly get to the ropes, but stuck in the middle of the ring, he finally had to submit after nearly a full minute in the hold.

[North American Tournament - Quarter-Finals]:
Televisa Deportes made Dunn submit to the abdominal stretch in 0:08:05.
Rating: *** ¼

After winning the match, Desportes kept the hold on for another moment longer, rubbing the victory in a little bit further. As Hudson & Funk updated the folks at home with the tournament brackets, Dunn slowly got up and headed to the back. Hudson then said Maryse had some of the teams competing in the tag title shot gauntlet later tonight.

A Gauntlet for a Chance at Gold
Backstage, Maryse was indeed with Lacey's Angels, The Hart Dynasty, and The Colony. After some pushing and trash talk between all three teams, Lacey got the mic and said that it was obvious that after tonight, the world would see that she was the greatest manager in the world as she'd lead BJ & Jacobs to a title shot at Rising Dawn and there, they'd take apart two guidos who thought they were tough guys called Da Hit Squad. Fire Ant just sort of breathed heavily and screamed intermittently as Soldier Ant said they were on a mission to take the AAPW Tag Titles back to the Ant Hive in Central Pennsylvania. When Maryse asked if either of the teams thought the Colony were the favorites because they'd won the last spot in the gauntlet due to the four-way last week, Lacey simply responded, “look at my men and then look at them. There's your answer.” David Hart Smith responded more diplomatically, saying being the last team in a gauntlet would of course be an advantage, but they weren't scared of any team here. “I mean, they're ants,” said Tyson, which got him a shove from Fire Ant while Soldier Ant repeatedly said, “At Ease!” as we went to commercials.

COMMERCIALS

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Coming back from commercials, Alex Riley was already in the ring with a mic. After getting some boos, he said that this entire tournament was totally biased in favor of Matt Hardy. “I mean, what's a Last Chance Gulch match,” Riley asked while the crowd continued to boo. In a tournament, when you lose, you're out. He should already be resting up for his semi-final match at the PPV, but instead he had to face a known loser like Matt Hardy. Riley looked like he was about to rip into both Hardy's even more, when Matt's music hit and he rushed out to the ring.

North American Title Tournament – Quarter-Finals
Alex Riley vs. Matt Hardy

As Hardy rushed out to the ring, Riley quickly dropped the mic and rolled to the outside of the ring as Matt entered. Hardy yelled at Riley to come in as A-Ri simply shaked his head 'no' while walking around the ring. Finally entering the ring after a moment, the two men locked up with Matt throwing Riley around easily in the beginning moments of the mat, drilling him with forearms, elbows, and punches, before sending him into the ropes and running in with a big lariat, followed by a huge diving bulldog as the crowd cheered. As Riley slowly got up, Hardy hit him with an elbow to the back of his head as he got to his knees, then hit a dropkick on Alex as he got up sending the former Boston College football star to the outside. Riley slowly got up to his feet on the outside, then got absolutely plastered as Matt Hardy leaped on to him from the corner post with a dive! The referee began to count to ten as both men slowly got up, but with Riley more worse for wear after the relentless attack from Matt. Hardy sent Riley back into the ring, and headed to the second rope. As the crowd cheered, Hardy leapt off with a second-rope legdrop, only for Riley to roll out of the way. To boos, Riley got up with a smirk and began to simply stomp the crap out of the former WWE tag team legend. He then made the 'V1' hand symbol and delivered a big elbow drop to Hardy before going for the pin and getting a two count. Riley then waited for Matt to get up and as the North Carolina native slowly got up to his feet, Riley pulled him up – SPINEBUSTAH~! Riley then sent Hardy into the corner, hit him with a big clothesline and then pulled Matt up by his stringy black hair and drove his face to the mat with a facebuster to another near fall. Getting a little upset,, Riley pulled Hardy up one more time – LIFTING DDT! ONE! TWO! THRE – KICKOUT AT THE VERY LAST MOMENT!

Big pop from the capacity crowd here in Portland, Maine as Riley turned his ire to the referee yelling, 'quit jobbing me' as Matt got to his knees, stumbled over to Riley and cradled him for a two count. Surprised, Riley charged Hardy as he got up, but Matt was ready for him – SIDE EFFECT! As the crowd rose to their feet, Alex got up to his feet only to eat a Twist of Fate, and Matt Hardy is now going to Rising Dawn!

[North American Tournament - Quarter-Finals]:
Matt Hardy pinned Alex Riley with the Twist of Fate in 0:11:18.
Rating: *** ¼

Realizing he lost, Riley got up to the feet and began to pitch a fit as Hardy celebrated. As A-Ri cornered the referee and continued to hurl abuse at him, Hardy got back in the ring, turned Riley around – BIG RIGHT HAND KNOCKS RILEY DOWN TO THE MAT! Matt rose his arms in victory as the crowd cheered him.

COMMERCIALS

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This Old Dog Still Has Some Old Tricks
Coming back from commercial, the familiar music of Mick Foley hit the PA as the Hardcore Legend headed out to the ring. After thanking the crowd in Portland for their reaction, Mick explained that as of now, he didn't have a match at Rising Dawn. He didn't have a tag team partner, he blew a chance at the North American Title last week, and he was pretty sure that neither Jeff nor Hernandez wanted him in the main event. But, he still wanted to compete. So, he was issuing an open challenge for Rising Dawn, but not for a regular match. Because after all, he may be a bit old, a bit broken down, a bit portly, but he was still Mick Foley, so at Rising Dawn, he wanted a Falls Count Anywhere match! The crowd cheered this, Foley yelled, 'BANG BANG' and then headed to the back as Funk said at the commentator's table, “the poor guy's getting almost as crazy as me.”

North American Title Tournament – Quarter-Finals
Jerry Lynn vs. Pentagon

In this final quarter-final match in the North American tournament, it was obvious that both men knew the stakes. Early on, they traded hiptosses, armdrags, quick takedowns, and even cradles as they tried to figure out each others gameplan for the match. Pentagon finally got a bit of momentum by blatantly nailing Lynn with an eyepoke and going on the attack. A few elbow shots, forearms, and a dropkick before nailing Lynn with a spinning backbreaker and getting a nearfall. The former AAA star then went for an Asai Moonsault, but Lynn rolled out of the way to a big pop and went on the attack himself. After a few quick takedowns and suplexes, Lynn went outside to the ring apron and popped Pentagon with a big springboard dropkick for a two count. Lynn then went for a brainbuster, but Pentagon slipped out and got a roll-up for a near fall, then attempted to flow things into a Pentaclutch (La Majistral), but Lynn was ready for it and got a cross armbreaker of his own. It was sloppy though, and Pentagon easily slipped out of it and hit Lynn with a running knee as he tried to get to his feet. Pentagon then went for a superkick as Lynn got back up to a vertical base, but the former ECW Champion ducked under and went for a quick kick to the gut, but Pentagon turned that into a dragon screw sending Jerry to the mat! The masked man then went up to the top rope and dived off with a big top-rope hurricarana, but Lynn was ready for it – SITDOWN POWERBOMB! A two count later, Lynn lifted Pentagon up again – CRADLE PILEDRIVER! ONE! TWO! THREE!

[North American Tournament – Quarter-Finals]:
Jerry Lynn pinned Pentagon with the Cradle Piledriver in 0:08:18.
Rating: ***

Pentagon simply rolled out of the ring and headed to the back, holding his back and neck as Lynn stayed in the ring celebrating as Hudson brought up the bracket again.

Jimmy Uso
------------------------- Petey Williams
Petey Williams

Jerry Lynn
------------------------- Jerry Lynn
Pentagon

Dunn
------------------- ------ Televisa Desportes
Televisa Desportes

Alex Riley
-------------------------- Matt Hardy
Matt Hardy

COMMERCIALS

Japanese-Mexican Fusion

Backstage, Maryse was with Hernandez and Tatsuhito Takaiwa. Hernandez was clad in a suit while Takaiwa was in his wrestling gear. Not even waiting for a question, Hernandez put over Takaiwa's accomplishments such as his multiple Junior Heavyweight titles and wrestling in front of thousands all around the world. Hernandez then continued by stating that these arrogant Anglo fans might not know who Takaiwa was, but after tonight, as Jeff Hardy laid in a pool of his own blood, they'd learn to fear him.

In the ring, the ring announcer went over the rules of the tag team gauntlet including the fifteen-minute time limit. He then announced the team drawing #1 – The Hart Dynasty. The Hart Dynasty came down to ringside, slapping hands, but clearly not happy with their draw. Then, the FBI's music came up and the crowd booed as the FBI came down to ringside with Rich yelling, “this Canuck aggression will not stand!”

Tag Team Gauntlet
The Full Blooded Italians (w/ Tommy Rich) vs. The Hart Dynasty

To be blunt, this match started out as a messy, wild brawl. Smothers went right after David Hart Smith and those two larger men threw big fists at each other near the ropes, then outside the ring. Meanwhile, Guido and Kidd sized each up, then began to trade kicks and MMA-style strikes before Kidd got the advantage with several straight kicks before sending Guido outside the ring. With the crowd cheering, Kidd then dived on to all three men with a huge tope! The referee began to count to ten and all four men tried to reclaim their wits and figure out who would actually start the match. After a moment, Tyson Kidd and Tracey Smothers headed to the ring with DHS and Guido got up on the ring apron. In the ring, Kidd continued his assault, dropping Smothers with a quick springboard dropkick as both men got in the ring before then hitting a savate-style kick on Tracey for a two count. Kidd then went for a German Suplex, but Smothers elbowed his way out of it, then dropped Kidd with a mule kick followed by a bulldog from Smothers. As Kidd got back to his feet, Smother nailed Tyson with a superkick of his own, then tagged in Guido. Guido then got in the ring, and grabbed Tyson's legs and locked on the Sicilian Crab to a big round of boos from the Portland audience as Kidd attempted to get to the ropes. Tyson slowly used his strength to barely grab the ropes near the hard camera side of the ring and slowly get up. However, as he got to his feet, he got nailed with two quick snap suplexes by Guido who then went to the top rope and got the near fall after hitting a big missile dropkick for another two count! As Guido yelled some choice words in Italian, Hudson sent us to commercial.

COMMERICIALS

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Coming back from commercial, Guido hit another quick snap suplex on Guido then picked up Kidd again in a front chancery, but this time the Canadian wrestler blocked the attempt at a DDT with his legs, then picked Guido up and into a big overhead suplex. Kidd then quickly tagged in DHS who went to work on Guido, picking him up and dropping him with a big press slam. As Guido slowly got up, Smith got him again and dropped him to the mat with a scoop powerslam! A two count later, the crowd was cheering as Smith signaled for the Running Powerslam. Smith picked the New York native up, but Guido slipped out of the attempt at hit a big dropkick right into David's back, sending him into the corner. Tagging Smothers back in, the two members of the FBI grabbed Smith and then hit him with a huge double vertical suplex. Smothers then waited for Smith to get back to his feet – SOUTHERN KICK! NO! SMITH DUCKS AND TRACEY HITS THE GROUND! As the crowd cheered, Tyson Kidd was then tagged back in who dived back into the ring with a huge springboard legdrop that almost got the pinfall. Kidd then picked up Smothers up and got him into position – Swinging Fisherman's Suplex! ONE! TWO! KICKOUT BY SMOTHERS! As Kidd headed to the ring apron, Tommy Rich got up to the apron blocking his way. The Godfather of the FBI grabbed Tyson and as Kidd was about to throw Rich off the apron, Smothers rushed at him from behind – KIDD DUCKED! NOGGIN KNOCKER! Quick cradle and with a stunner, the Hart Dynasty advance in the gauntlet.

The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) defeated The Full Blooded Italians (Little Guido and Tracey Smothers) when T. Kidd defeated T. Smothers after a cradle in 0:14:38.
Rating: ** ¼

As the crowd cheered their victory, the music of Lacey's Angels hit the ring and out came the former ROH competitors to a healthy heel pop. The two men rushed to the ring and brawl was on.

Tag Gauntlet
The Hart Dynasty vs. Lacey's Angels w/ Lacey

Quickly, BJ Whitmer bum rushed Tyson Kidd and began to attack him with big forearms and fists while Jacobs attacked David Hart Smith from behind with a big bulldog. Whitmer and Kidd traded shots in the corner as Jacobs stomped the hell out of Smith in the middle of the ring. The crazed owner of a spike then rolled DHS to the corner and then ran out with a huge plancha, which Smith rolled out of the way and Jacobs landed on the cold concrete floor. David immediately covered Jimmy on the floor as Whitmer looked surprised in the ring. Quickly, BJ picked Tyson up for a body slam, which Kidd turned into a quick small package for the pinfall.

The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) defeated Lacey's Angels (BJ Whitmer and Jimmy Jacobs) when D.H. Smith defeated Whitmer via pinfall in 0:01:59.
Jimmy Jacobs suffered a neck injury. He will be out for approximately 4 cards.
Rating: *¼

As the crowd buzzed with confusion, the medics came out and slowly put Jacobs on a stretcher. Both Whitmer & Lacey followed the medical team to the back as DHS tried to check on Jacobs. Meanwhile, Kidd stood with a puzzled look on his face before Smith headed back to the ring after a couple of minutes. After a moment of conferring with the referee, the music of Mikey Whipwreck & Tajiri hit and the evil duo came out with James Mitchell.

Tag Gaunlet
The Hart Dynasty vs. Tajiri & Whipwreck w/ James Mitchell

The crowd was still confused as the two teams got up in each others faces for a moment, before Tyson Kidd & Tajiri faced off in the middle of the ring. The two men immediately began trading shots, before Kidd sent Tajiri into the corner, only for the Japanese Buzzsaw to come rushing out of that corner with a huge kick that got a big pop from the crowd here in Maine. With a sick smile on his face, Tajiri calmly turned around and threw a kick that sent Smith into the dasherboards. Kidd took this opportunity to get up and grab Tajiri in a waistlock, but Kidd was quickly reversed and hit with a German Supex himself! Tyson then got up and walked right into a Frankensteiner from Tajiri who got the 1-2-3 victory in a stunningly short match.

Mikey Whipwreck and Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated The Hart Dynasty (David Hart Smith and Tyson Kidd) when Tajiri pinned T. Kidd after a Frankensteiner in 0:02:50.
Rating: ** ¾

While the crowd booed the quick victory of Whipwreck & Tajiri, Tyson Kidd rolled out of the ring and helped Smith up who was still a little out of it. Kidd signaled for an explanation, but Smith simply shrugged his shoulders and pointed at Tajiri as the two men headed to the back. Inside the ring, a still fresh Whipwreck & Tajiri were ready as The Colony came out for the final match in the gauntlet.

Tag Gauntlet
Whipwreck & Tajiri w/ James Mitchell vs. The Colony

Starting off the match, Fire Ant and Whipwreck circled each other before locking up and Whipwreck gaining the early advantage with several amateur wrestling holds and takedowns, but Fire Ant fought back admirably including reversing several holds and taking Whipwreck down himself and locking on a modified camel clutch. Whipwreck powered out of it though and then dropped Fire Ant to the mat with an electric chair drop and followed it up with an inverted suplex for a near fall. Whipwreck then continued the attack with several stomps and kicks, then lifted Soldier Ant up again, only for the fired-up Ant to slide out of it and take Mikey down with an armdrag. Soldier then quickly hit a snap suplex and his big diving enzuigiri and headed to the second rope. From the second rope, Soldier dived on to Mikey with a senton, but the former ECW Champion rolled out of the way, then went out to the ring apron and hit a slingshot legdrop of his own before tagging in Tajiri. The Japanese Buzzsaw slithered his way into the ring and went on the attack, hitting Fire Ant with several nasty kicks, before hitting a big roundhouse kick sending Fire into the far corner. Setting him up in the Tree of Woe, Tajiri got a sick smile on his face then rushed in and absolutely destroyed Fire with a big baseball slide. As the crowd booed, Tajiri picked Fire up by his mask and tossed him near the ropes, before locking on the Tarantula! While the referee counted to five, Fire Ant tried to break out of the hold and Soldier slapped the mat in frustration, but it was no avail, as Tajiri simply dropped down to the outside of the ring and pulled Fire Ant down to the mat. Back in the ring, Tajiri sent Fire into the corner and rushed in with a handspring elbow, but out of instinct Fire Ant rolled out of the way! Both men fell to the mat, trying to get their respective corners, but thankfully for him, Fire was closer and with a big dive, tagged in Solider.

The Mat Mite quickly came into the ring and went right after Tajiri. Soldier sent him into the ropes and rushed in with a clothesline and followed it up with a diving forearm (with a salute) as the crowd cheered. Solider Ant then saluted again, before dropping on to Tajiri with a big kneedrop. Solider Ant then went up to the top rope and hit a huge diving headbutt for the near fall. Soldier then picked Tajiri up into the backbreaker position, but Tajiri slipped out of it and brought Soldier to the mat with a big DDT! Tajiri then went for a big kick as Soldier got up, but the camo-masked wrestler was ready for it and ducked under the kick before dropping Tajiri with a big roundhouse kick of his own. Soldier Ant then picked Tajiri up and went for a powerbomb, but Tajiri turned that into a Frankensteiner for a two count, but that reversal gave Tajiri enough time to tag in Mikey Whipwreck. As Whipwreck came in, he immediately hit Soldier with a sloppy Shining Wizard as he attempted to get to his feet. Then, Mikey picked Solider up and ran to the corner and nailed the Whippersnapper on Soldier! ONE! TWO! THRE – SHOULDER UP AT 2.9! Whipwreck immediately turned around on the ref and started yelling at him as Soldier got to his feet. Dropkick to the back by Soldier knocks Whipwreck into Fire Ant who plants him with a big boot that sends him right into a small package from Soldier, who gets the pinfall and the title shot for the Colony!

The Colony (Soldier Ant and Fire Ant) defeated Mikey Whipwreck and Yoshihiro Tajiri when Soldier Ant pinned Whipwreck after a small package in 0:12:48.
Rating: *** ¼

The Colony raised their arms in celebration and hugged while the crowd cheered.

COMMERCIALS

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Not Worried About Two Masked Dudes
Coming back from commercial, Maryse was with Da Hit Squad as they held their AAPW tag title belts. Maryse asked them if their plans were changed for Rising Dawn now that the Colony had the title shot. Maff responded that it was always about breaking necks, cashing checks, and being the tag champs. Now, it'd just be a little easier to run over two wacky masked guys who thought they were ants. Monsta Mack then added that maybe they could find a massive magnifying glass before cackling in laughter.

As both men came out for the main event, Hernandez made his way to the commentary booth, joining Hudson and Funk while Takaiwa silently got ready for Hardy.

Non-Title Main Event
Jeff Hardy vs. Tatsuhito Takaiwa

From the start of the match, it was obvious that Takaiwa wasn't overly interested in defeating Hardy tonight. He had one job and that was to take apart the AAPW Champion only 48 hours before his match with Hernandez. As a result, kicks, stomps, and suplexes were the rule of the day as the former IWGP and GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion wore down Hardy early. Takaiwa did get a near fall off a big vertical suplex, only to follow it up with several kneedrops, legdrops, and kneebreakers further taking apart Hardy. But, Takaiwa then sent Hardy into the corner and ran in with a lariat, allowing Hardy to lift his legs up, driving his boot into Tatsuhito's chest, before Hardy went up and leapt on to Takaiwa with a big diving clothesline for a near fall of his own. The Charismatic Enigma then went to the second rope and drilled Takaiwa with a huge double leg drop to his gut. With the crowd cheering, Hardy picked up Takaiwa and it looked like he was going for the Reverse of Fate, but the Japanese star hit a quick elbow, followed by a mule kick to slow Hardy down. Turning around, Takaiwa hit Jeff with several more hard strikes before taking him down with a huge lariat. As the crowd booed and Hernandez talked about his future World Title win like a fait accompli, Takaiwa got Hardy in waistlock position – POWERBOMB! NO! HARDY WITH A 'RANA! Both men slow to get up, but Hardy gets up first and nails Takaiwa with a sitout jawbreaker that drops him flat on his back. Hardy goes up top and the AAPW Champion dives off with a SWANTON BOMB! ONE! TWO! THREE!

Jeff Hardy pinned Tatsuhito Takaiwa with the Swanton Bomb in 0:09:59.
Rating: ** ¼

The crowd's cheers quickly turned to boos as Hernandez came into the ring and dropped Hardy to the mat with a sledgehammer-like forearm to the back. As Hernandez made belt motions, he got Hardy into position for a powerbomb himself, when Matt Hardy and Sonjay Dutt rushed down to ringside! Dutt attacked Takaiwa, sending him to the outside, then diving onto him with a corkscrew plancha as Hardy took Hernandez down with a diving lariat. As Hernandez and Takaiwa headed to the back, Sonjay and Matt helped Jeff back to his feet and the three fan favorites raised their hands in victory as Hudson and Funk hyped Rising Dawn

___________________

AAPW Presents Rising Dawn
Live from Boston, Massachusetts on January 24, 2010

Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Hernandez
Da Hit Squad (c) vs. The Colony
The North American Title Tournament Concludes!
Petey Williams vs. Jerry Lynn - Semi-Finals
Matt Hardy vs. Televisa Desportes - Semi-Finals
Tatsuhito Takaiwa vs. Sonjay Dutt
The Hart Dynasty vs. Whipwreck & Tajiri
An 8-persona Battle Royal to determine the first AAPW Television Champion
Mick Foley makes an Open Challenge!

[jesseewiak]

AAPW presents Rising Dawn

January 24th, 2010
Live from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts [/center]

Opening Video
The second PPV in AAPW history started off with an opening video focused on the Hardy/Hernandez main event, focusing on the debut of Takaiwa, the various attacks by Hernandez after matches, Hardy's original title win, and chasing off Hernandez and Takaiwa with the help of his brother and Sonjay Dutt. The video ended with Hardy holding the AAPW Title up high in the ring as an angry Hernandez looked up at him.

North American Title Tournament – Semi-Finals
Jerry Lynn vs. Petey Williams

With so much on the line, it wasn't a surprise that before the match even started, Petey Williams tried to attack Jerry Lynn from behind. Unfortunately for the former Ultimate X winner, Jerry Lynn was ready for him and got out of the way and as a result, the only thing Petey attacked was the turnbuckle. From there, Jerry Lynn went on the attack, throwing Williams from pillar to post and hitting him several high-impact moves before finishing things up with a huge missile dropkick for a two count. But, as Lynn went for a brainbuster, Petey slipped out and took Lynn down hard with a big Russian legsweep. From there, the former Team Canada went to work on Jerry, stomping on him and attacking his neck with several kneedrops and a legdrop to the upper part of Lynn's body. Then, in an explosive move, Williams went to the outside and and springboarded right onto Lynn and drove him down to the mat with a massive double knee facebuster (Codebreaker). Williams arrogantly covered Lynn and that may have saved the former ECW Champion as Lynn was barely able to kick out at 2.9. Upset, Williams picked Lynn back up by his long blond-ish hair and got him in a front facelock, but Lynn blocked several attempts by Petey to hit him with a big move, elbowed out of the hold, then took Williams down to the mat with a simple double leg takedown. As the crowd cheered, Lynn attempted to put on an STF, but Williams fought out of the maneuver. As Williams got up though, he was nailed out of nowhere with a Moonsault of all things from the middle-aged former ECW icon and almost got the pin out of that. From there, Lynn lifted Williams on to his shoulder, and it looked like he was going to drop him with a TKO – NO! In mid-air, Petey turns it into a DDT! ONE! TWO! He's got the tights! THREE! PETEY ADVANCES!

[North American Tournament - Semi-Finals]:
Petey Williams pinned Jerry Lynn after a DDT in 10:58.
Rating: ***

As the crowd booed, Williams rose his arms up in victory like he'd just won an Iron Man match while Lynn sat dejected in the corner. After a moment, Lynn headed to the back while Williams continued to soak in the cheers of the crowd. Hudson then sent things backstage.

A Colony is Only As Strong As It's Weakest Link

Backstage, Maryse Oulett was with The Colony, already ready for their tag title match later tonight. Maryse asked them if they seriously thought they had any shot against two big men like Da Hit Squad and Solider Ant replied by asking Maryse if she knew anything about guerrilla warfare? As Maryse shrugged her shoulders, Solider continued by saying that it'd be silly for Fire and him to attack Da Hit Squad directly. To win the tag titles, they'd have to be smarter, more prepared, and with a clear cause in mind. The Colony had that. To take the AAPW Tag Titles back to the hive and fulfill their mission. In case you were wondering, as Soldier was talking like this, Fire Ant was mumbling and attempting to smell Maryse's hair. After finishing his speech, Solider dragged Fire off who was speaking incoherently.

North American Title Tournament – Semi-Finals
Matt Hardy vs. Televisa Deportes

Coming to the ring first, Televisa Deportes said something in Spanish to the ring announcer, then after said announcer looked at him blankly, Deportes handed him a card. To boos, Deportes was then introduced in Spanish with some obvious ass-kissing going on. Something about the slayer of dragons and a king among men. Anyway, Matt Hardy came out a house of fire, hoping to join his brother as a champion here in AAPW, but Desportes was ready for this assault. Right from the start, Deportes tried to slow things down by holding Hardy down to the mat, but Matt fought back with some technical holds of his own, but the lucha libre competitor came back with some eyepokes and judicious use of the 5-count after Hardy got to the ropes. Deportes then tried to lock on his abdominal stretch of doom, but it was far too early in the match as Hardy hiptossed Desportes and then attacked the masked man with forearms, kick, and a big belly-to-back suplex. Hardy then went into the corner and got up to the second rope and dived off on to Deportes with a big cross-body block for a near fall. Matt then sent TD into the corner and came in with a big clothesline, but Deportes raised his boot and got a near fall off a sunset flip. Televisa then got another near pin off a quick attempt at a La Majistral, but Hardy quickly kicked out. Hardy then tried for a discus forearm, but Deportes ducked under and hit a huge German suplex that made Hardy roll to the floor. As the crowd rose, the 230 pounder from Mexico ran and dived onto Hardy with a huge SOMERSAULT PLANCHA!

Both men were slow to get up, but Deportes was obviously the one better off as he sent Hardy into the steps and the former ECW Champion was slow to get up. Deportes then tossed him into the ring and went up to the ring apron. While the crowd stomped and banged trying to will Hardy to get up, Deportes went to the ring apron and somersaulted in with a senton, but Hardy rolled out of the way! As Deportes got up, he got nailed by a kick in the midsection and the Twist of Fate! A three count later and Matt Hardy was in the tournament finals.

[North American Tournament - Semi-Finals]:
Matt Hardy pinned Televisa Deportes with the Twist of Fate in 9:24.
Rating: *** 1/2

Obviously tried and a bit more than he was letting on, Hardy rose his hands in victory, then slowly walked to the backstage area. Deportes hurled some abuse at the referee, pushing him away, then screaming in Spanish at some fans as he also headed to the backstage area.

Hernandez and Takaiwa Are Ready for Work

Already clad in their ring gear, Hernandez and Takaiwa were in the locker room area conversing via hand signals. Takaiwa asked in broken English about the main event, but Hernandez said not to worry about as he would win the AAPW Heavyweight Title on his own. Hernandez told Takaiwa to simply go out there and destroy Sonjay Dutt and make sure he couldn't cause any problems in the main event match. At that, Hernandez finally noticed the camera and rushed at it, telling the cameraman to scram.

The Hart Dynasty vs. Whipwreck & Tajiri w/ James Mitchell

Coming down to the ring, David Hart Smith looked a little distant, absentmindedly slapping hands as he came down to the ring with Tyson Kidd. Then, the match began and after trading a lock-up with Tajiri, Tyson Kidd got the early advantage with several dropkicks, holds, and a snap suplex before tagging in DHS. Smith came in and gingerly helped Tajiri up before putting a simple headlock on before following it up with a hammerlock. Tajiri reversed, then hit several kicks on David as he barely attempted to block the Buzzsaw's vicious kicks. Tajiri then laid in a couple more hard strikes in the corner before sending Smith in the corner. Tajiri rushed in with a clothesline, then hit a roundhouse kick on Smith to boos from the crowd before tagging in Whipwreck. Mikey then went to the top rope and went for a cross-body block, but Smith caught him and shifted effortlessly into a big powerslam for a near fall. As the crowd cheered, Smith went over to tag Kidd instead of pinning Mikey, only for Kidd simply drop down to the floor! While the crowd reacted with confusion, Smith simply looked at Kidd in shock, then turned around to a huge double dropkick from Whipwreck and Tajiri. The former ECW Tag Champs then picked David up...DOUBLE BRAINBUSTER! A three count later and the Unholy Alliance had a surprisingly quick victory.

Mikey Whipwreck and Yoshihiro Tajiri defeated The Hart Dynasty when Whipwreck pinned D.H. Smith after the Double Brain Buster in 6:11.
Rating: ** 1/2

As DHS slowly got up, Tyson rushed in the ring and absolutely drilled him with a stiff kick to the back of the head. The crowd started to boo Kidd, he picked up his former tag parner – BRAINBUSTER! The Hart Dynasty now over, Kidd walked to the back as AAPW officials began to help David Hart Smith up. Hudson expressed his shock at this turn of events, but Funk added that sometimes a man has to go his own way and perhaps it was that time for Tyson Kidd.

Sonjay Dutt vs. Tatsuhito Takaiwa

Sonjay Dutt knew he had to surprise Takaiwa to gain a foothold in this match, so he did the most surprising thing possible – going to the mat. Sonjay sprawled and took the Japanese star down to the mat and locked on an armbar submission and followed it up with a short arm scissors before rolling things into a bodyscissors to the cheers of the crowd. But, Takaiwa powered out of the holds and went after Dutt with strikes and kicks before hitting a waistlock suplex for a two count. The former IWGP and GHC Junior Heavyweight Champion continued to nail Dutt with several elbows, forearms, kicks, and even a headbutt before hitting a huge lariat for a 2.9 count. Takaiwa then lifted Dutt up for a Death Valley Driver, but the Playa from the Himalaya's slipped out of the hold so he had Takaiwa in an inverted facelock and dropped him with an Osaka Cutter for a near fall of his own. Dutt then ran to the ropes and hit a huge springboard moonsault to a big pop before rushing up to the top rope. Sonjay then dived off the top with a 450 splash, only for Takaiwa to get his knees up to a groan from the crowd here in Boston. Tatsuhito then calmly picked a limp Sonjay up and drilled him with a massive lariat that sent the former X Division Champion head over heels. As the crowd booed, Takaiwa got Sonjay in a waistlock – POWERBOMB! WAIT, DUTT IS FIGHTING! Elbow, elbow, elbow, Takaiwa gets the advantage back, Powerbomb! Another Powerbomb! And a Third Powerbomb! A three count later and Takaiwa had an impressive first win in AAPW.

Tatsuhito Takaiwa pinned Sonjay Dutt with the Endless Powerbomb in 7:24.
Rating: *** 1/2

As Takaiwa's hand was raised in victory, Hudson sent thing back to the interview area.

Fallen Brother

Maryse was with AAPW Champion Jeff Hardy and asked him about the championship match with Hernandez tonight. Jeff answered that he was glad that Hernandez wanted to fight man-to-man, but he'd see if Hernandez would actually live up to those words later tonight. After all, he'd had no problem attacking him repeatedly, who grow a moral code now? As Maryse was about to ask Jeff another question, a referee ran up and said there was a problem with Matt Hardy. Jeff and the cameraman headed back to the locker room area where doctor's were loading Matt Hardy on a gurney as the former US and IC Champ held his knee in pain and a doctor tried to get a look at it. Jeff asked his brother who attacked him and Matt responded that he had no idea and that somebody had killed the lights, then got him from behind. Jeff moved like he was going to go with his brother to the hospital, but Matt stopped him and told his younger brother to retain the title tonight.

An Open Challenge...Answered.

Mick Foley came out to the cheers of the crowd here at The Garden as the former World Champion once again went over how tonight, he had an open dance card. Since he was a competitor, he wanted a match, so he was calling out anybody for a Falls Count Anywhere match. As the crowd cheered this announcement, Foley waited for a moment and was about to head to the back when BJ Whitmer's music hit and the larger member of Lacey's Angels came down to the ring. After staring down Foley for a moment, he simply punched him in the face and the match was on!

Falls Count Anywhere
BJ Whitmer w/ Lacey vs. Mick Foley

The brawl began straight from the bell as the two men traded punches, elbows, and forearms in the middle of the ring as the crowd went wild. Whitmer got a few right hands in a row, then sent Foley into the corner and dropped Mick with a big boot. Whitmer then stomped the hell out of Foley before dropping an elbow right to the throat. BJ then went for a pinfall, but Foley kicked out hard. Whitmer went after Foley again, but the Hardcore Legend ducked and backdropped Whitmer out to the floor. The Long Island native then rolled out of the ring and immediately went to work, sending Whitmer into the ring steps, sending both Whitmer and the ringsteps flying. Foley then pulled Whitmer up and dropped him on the ring railings with a big Hotshot. Mick then rushed Whitmer, but BJ came back with an elbow which stunned Foley and then the ROH mainstay nailed him with a spinebuster on the floor. As the crowd booed, Whitmer picked Foley up and threw him in the direction of the entrance area, but Foley reversed it and Whitmer ate the ringside barrier. The Hardcore Legend walked slowly over to Whitmer and the brawl continued with the big men trading meaty punches as they both headed to the staging area, but Whitmer got a few big right hands and elbows before hitting a big headbutt and absolutely massacring Foley with a BRAINBUSTER ON THE TOP OF THE RAMP! ONE! TWO! BIG KICKOUT!

Whitmer then got Foley in position, but Mick showed he wasn't dead yet by blocking the suplex multiple times, making Whitmer pull him up and go for a regular suplex, only for Foley to block that and suplex Whitmer on the ramp. Foley then waited for Whitmer to get up and then kicked him in the gut and went for a piledriver, but Whitmer backdropped him onto the ramp to a huge heel pop. BJ then pulled Foley up and by the hair dragged him to the middle of the entranceway before throwing him hard into the side of the ring. Whitmer then rushed Foley, only for Mick to step to the side, more out of instinct than anything else. Both men then slowly got up, but Foley got up a moment quicker, hit Whitmer with a few right hands and then rolled the former ROH Tag Champion into the ring. Mrs. Foley's baby boy then rolled into the ring and waited for Whitmer to get up – DOUBLE ARM DDT! NO! WHITMER BLOCKS IT! Pulls Foley into him and T-Bone Suplex! Whitmer slowly brings him up - WRIST CLUTCH EXPLODER! A quick falling headbutt by Whitmer to rub it in and the referee counts the pinfall for Whitmer.

Falls-Count-Anywhere Match:
BJ Whitmer pinned Mick Foley after a flying headbutt in 15:35.
Rating: ***

Whitmer, his head bleeding rose his hands up victory before heading to the back as Foley laid flat on his back, slowly breathing as he attempted to get back to his feet.

Burning Embers

To fill time, a commercial for the next PPV – Burning Embers – aired. Quick cuts of Hardy hitting the Swanton, Da Hit Squad holding the tag titles, Alex Riley celebrating, and Hernandez hitting a powerbomb aired as the announcer said, “the embers of conflict still burn in AAPW and next month, the heat will rise.”

Coming back from the commercial, most of the competitors were already in the ring for the battle royal as Hudson explained that either pinfalls, submissions, or over-the-top rope eliminations will count in this battle royal. Then, some Japanese music hit and Kaz Hayashi came out to the ring to a healthy pop from the crowd here in Boston. Finally, some pop-rock hit the PA and to a big surprise pop, Beth Phoenix came out! Hudson put over the fact that Phoenix was the same size as some of the competitors in the ring while Funk hemmed and hawed over the idea of women in the ring.

Eight-Man Battle Royal for AAPW Television Title

As soon as Phoenix got in the ring, the bell rang and the insanity started. Jimmy Uso and Rick Steiner traded right hands, Pentagon immediately got all macho and tried to get The Glamazon out of the ring, Alex Riley and Kaz went after each other, and finally, Dunn & Elix Skipper traded punches. After a minute of total brawling, Beth Phoenix threw Pentagon into the corner and Rick Steiner dropped Uso with a huge belly-to-belly suplex. Then, as Phoenix went after Pentagon in the corner, he came from behind and threw Beth out of the ring!

x R. Steiner threw out Beth in 1:01

As Skipper hit a quick takedown on Dunn, Jimmy Uso slowly got up and hit Rick Steiner from behind. Meanwhile, Pentagon was still in the corner slow to get up and as a result, Alex Riley continued to be a total dick by rushing at Pentagon into the corner. Uso then hit a side suplex on Rick Steiner, only to turn around and get dropkicked out of nowhere by Elix Skipper and get sent over the top rope!

x Skipper threw out Jimmy after a dropkick in 2:55

Down to six men in only three minutes, Dunn got attacked by Riley get dropped with a STO while Pentagon and Elix Skipper tried to take out Kaz Hayashi. But, the former member of the Jung Dragons got a quick kick on the lower regions of Elix before slipping behind Pentagon and sending him down with a side suplex. Kaz then tried to save Dunn, but Rick Steiner and Alex Riley dropped him to the mat with a lariat. Steiner then went on the attack, hitting a big suplex on Kaz before getting a two count from the referee on the outside. Steiner then went for an elbow drop, but Kaz rolled out of the way and then kicked Rick Steiner directly in the side of the head. But, on the other side of the ring, Skipper continued his assault and sent Dunn to the outside of the ring with a huge belly-to-belly suplex!

x Skipper threw out Dunn after a belly-to-belly suplex in 7:38

Kaz then hit a quick dropkick on Elix Skipper, almost sending him to the outside, but instead, Elix fell out threw to the second rope. But, Alex Riley then came from behind and hit Hayashi with a belly-to-back suplex, but as soon as he nailed the suplex, Pentagon came out of nowhere with a springboard senton. As all three men were on the mat strewn together in a mass of humanity, Rick Steiner barked out to the crowd and then proceeded to stomp all three men and then picked up the weakest man, Pentagon, and went to throw him out. But, Elix Skipper got back in the ring and dropkicked Steiner in the back sending both men to the floor through the ropes. Meanwhile, Alex Riley and Kaz Hayashi traded blows near the ropes, only for Skipper to attack Kaz. The two heels then went to town on Hayashi, throwing him into the ropes, but Kaz ducked under and hit an Asai Moonsault on both men! Riley then simply walked over and tossed Pentagon to the outside over the top rope.

x A. Riley threw out Pentagon in 12:57

As soon as that happened, Rick Steiner tried to take Riley out from behind, but Alex was ready for him and brawled with the Dog-Faced Gremlin in the corner and near the ropes. Meanwhile, with the battle royal down to four men, Kaz Hayashi and Elix Skipper actually traded wrestler holds going for quick pinfalls, but both men kept kicking out of two. Skipper finally got control and hit a DDT before going over and dropkicking Alex Riley in the back sending him over-the-tope rope!

x Skipper threw out A. Riley in 14:51

At the same time, Rick Steiner was going for a suplex on Kaz, but Hayashi slipped down – TIGER SUPLEX! ONE! TWO! THREE!

x Kaz Hayashi defeated R. Steiner after a tiger suplex in 15:09

Elix Skipper went for a rana on Kaz but the Japanese competitor caught him and threw him to the middle of the ring. Hayashi then rushed at Skipper with a Shining Wizard, but Elix was ready for him and rolled out of the way. Caught in the ropes, Kaz disentangled himself but Elix came from behind and hit a big side suplex. Skipper then picked Hayashi for a slam, but Kaz reversed it and after a moment, turned things into a Victory Roll for the pinfall and the title victory!

[Television Title Battle Royal]: 8-Man Battle Royal:
Kaz Hayashi won an 8-man Battle Royal:
x R. Steiner threw out Beth in 1:01
x Skipper threw out Jimmy after a dropkick in 2:55
x Skipper threw out Dunn after a belly-to-belly suplex in 7:38
x A. Riley threw out Pentagon in 12:57
x Skipper threw out A. Riley in 14:51
x Kaz Hayashi defeated R. Steiner after a tiger suplex in 15:09
x Kaz Hayashi defeated Skipper after a Victory Roll in 16:01
Rating: *** 3/4
(Kaz Hayashi won the AAPW Television Title.)

As the crowd cheered, Kaz Hayashi was given a title and held the title aloft. Kaz then headed to the back as both Rick Steiner and Elix Skipper were stunned on the outside of the ring. Hudson congratulated Kaz Hayashi on his title victory

AAPW Tag Team Title Defense
Da Hit Squad © vs. The Colony

Da Hit Squad came out and pointed at The Colony and started laughing at each other. Of course, this only riled up Fire Ant, who had to be held back by Soldier Ant. When the match actually started, Fire Ant demanded to come in first and right away, went after Mafia and Mack with quick forearms and strikes, sending Mafia through the ropes and then Fire Ant jumped to the top rope and brought Mack down with a missile dropkick! Still running around like a rocket, Fire Ant went out to the ring apron and hit a senton, but Mack kicked out strong sending Fire Ant into the middle of the ring. Both men got up quickly, but Monsta ducked under a roundhouse kick and suplexed Fire Ant into the corner. Mack then went to work on Fire Ant in the corner, nailing him with elbows, kicks, and strikes in the corner. With Fire Ant slumped in the corner, Mack tagged in Mafia. Mafia put Fire Ant on his shoulders and nailed Fire Ant with a fireman's carry slam for a near fall, but Fire Ant kicked out at two. Fire Ant got up, but Mafia kicked Ant in the gut and went for a waistlock, but Fire Ant threw strikes on Mafia as he brought him up and managed to bring Mafia down with a headscissors takedown. Fire Ant then quickly tagged in Soldier Ant who came in and absolutely drilled Mafia with a discus forearm as he got up to his feet. He then saluted the crowd, then hit a diving headbutt for a near fall to a big pop from the Boston crowd. Soldier Ant then climbed up to the top as Mafia got back up to a vertical base and dived, only for Mafia to catch him and threw him over with a FALLAWAY SLAM!

Mafia then tagged in Monsta Mack, who came out of the corner with a huge Clothesline from Compton (running lariat), but the crowd was shocked when Soldier Ant kicked out at two. Monsta then picked up Soldier Ant and picked him up in a huge military press and dropped him straight down to the mat with a thump. As Soldier Ant slowly got up, he walked straight into a Saito Suplex. Mack then went up to the top rope and dived off with the Mack Splash, but Soldier Ant rolled away to a big pop from the crowd. Both men crawled over to the corner, but Mafia got tagged in first and dragged Solider Ant to the middle of the ring. Fire Ant came into the ring to make the save, but Mafia hit him with a huge overhead belly-to-belly suplex into the far corner. Turning around, Mafia walked into a big flying cross body for a two count, but Mafia kicked out big. Soldier Ant then made one last salute and hit a Frankensteiner on Mafia for a two count. Soldier Ant then went to the top rope and dived off with a clothesline, but Mafia caught him, threw him on his shoulder – BURNING HAMMER! ONE! TWO! THREE! DA HIT SQUAD RETAIN!

Da Hit Squad defeated The Colony when Mafia pinned Soldier Ant with the Burning Hammer in 0:15:23.
Rating: *** 1/2
(Da Hit Squad retained the AAPW Tag Team Titles.)

Da Hit Squad were given their titles and held them up to a mixed pop as The Colony slowly got to their feet. The Colony turned around to leave, but Da Hit Squad stopped them from leaving. The Colony turned around ready for a fight, but Da Hit Squad simply patted them on the shoulder, nodded, then left the ring.

Petey Williams Receives His Title Belt

After both tag teams left, Petey William's music hit to a big heel pop as the only remaining competitor in the North American Title tournament came out to the ring. After playing to the crowd for a moment, Petey took the mic and ran down the crowd here in Boston, before moving on and claiming that Matt Hardy was faking his injury and putting over the fact that he had outlasted the conspiracy against him and despite all odds, had become the North American champion. He then made the ring announcer make the announcement that he was the new North American champion and was handed the belt to a huge round of boos before heading to the back.

AAPW Heavyweight Title Defense
Jeff Hardy © vs. Hernandez

The two competitor's in the main event of Rising Dawn circled each other apprehensively as the bell rang before locking up. Hernandez stiffly threw Hardy into the corner, but the AAPW Champion came right back into another lock up. Hernandez then threw Hardy into the corner again, but Jeff rushed out with a big dropkick. But, Hernandez came back with a flurry of stirikes, then sent Hardy into the ropes and ran him over with a shoulderblock and followed it up with a big boot. Hernandez then picked up Hardy into a waistlock and went for a powerbomb, but Hardy slid out of it and hit Hernandez with a dropkick into the corner. Hernandez stumbled backwards into a cradle, but the challenger kicked out big at one. Jeff then rushed at Hernandez again, but the Tex-Mex T-Rex caught him with a huge spinebuster to a big heel pop from the Boston crowd. After stomping the younger Hardy brother a few times, Hernandez picked him up by the hair and lifted him up to a huge delayed vertical suplex. He then hit Hardy with another huge vertical suplex, then the big man from Houston went to the ring apron and hit a massive slingshot shoulderblock that knocked Hardy to the mat. Hernandez then picked Hardy up in a gutwrench and lifted him up into a backbreaker position, then slammed him hard face-first to the mat. The challenger then held his arms out, then picked up Jeff – BORDER TOSS! NO! HARDY FLIPPED OUT OF IT!

Jeff then rushed in and hit him with a flipover DDT to a massive pop. Then, as Hernandez got back to his feet, Jeff ran into the corner and dived off with the Whisper in the Wind for a two count. Hardy then waited for Hernandez to get up – Twist of Fate! Hardy goes up – SWANTON! HERNANDEZ ROLLS AWAY! Both men are slow to get up as the referee counts to ten, but Hardy gets up first and runs at Hernandez, but SuperMex is ready for him and backdrops him to the floor to a huge mixed pop. Hernandez waits for Hardy to get up on the outside – SUICIDE DIVE BY HERNANDEZ! The referee begins to count to ten as both men slowly get to their feet. Hernandez uses a ringside table to get to his feet while Hardy gets to his knees by the ringside barrier. The AAPW Champion gets up on the ringside barrier as the referee counts to seven and runs on the ringside barrier – HARDY DIVES OFF! HERNANDEZ CATCHES HIM! He throws Hardy on to the ringside barrier and rolls in the ring as the referee counts to ten!

Hernandez defeated Jeff Hardy by countout in 18:52.
Rating: **** 1/4
(Jeff Hardy retained the AAPW Heavyweight Title.)

The PPV's copyright came up as Hernandez stood in the ring, defiant and demanding to be given the title belt as Jeff Hardy was hanging on the outside, barely standing as he used the ringside barrier to stand up.

[jesseewiak]

AAPW News & Notes - Post-Rising Dawn


Despite a late-night slot, AAPW has been doing pretty well on ESPN 2. Ratings have averaged about .54 with the highest rating being the closing of the first show, which hit a 0.8.

In addition, while Breakout did about 45,000 buys, a lot of that can be given over to it's $9.99 price point and heavy PR work by The Hardy's and Mick Foley weeks before the first event. Trends currently have Rising Dawn drawing about 15,000 to 18,000 buys, which is considered a decent number.

As was expected after the PPV, David Hart Smith has been granted his release. After Jimmy Jacob's injury, he was distraught and asked for some personal time to deal with the effects. The door is wide open for a return in the future, but for now, Tyson Kidd will be given a heel push. In addition, Beth Phoenix was originally supposed to come in to feud with Nattie Neidhart when she came in w/ her boyfriend, but with Kidd turning heel, it's not known if Neidhart will still be brought in.

Matt Hardy was injured in the Televisa Deportes match on the PPV, but the extent of the injury was not known until after the show. The injury angle was originally shot to set up Petey-Hardy when Matt came back, but with no idea who will be around in six months when Hardy comes back, it's likely to be dropped or significantly changed.

Finally, Mick Foley was originally supposed to face a former ECW competitor at Rising Dawn, but Jacob's injury meant Whitmer had no spot on the show, so plans were changed.

[Monica]

Petey Williams North American Champion is Boss, Should be interesting what Matt Hardy has to say

Never liked Jeff Hardy but he seems to be holding his own here. I see a rematch for Hernandez soon

Didn't realize till now your PPV was named Breakout as well. I must of subconsciously stole it by mistake..Great PPV

MM

[snabbit888]

How are you determining the ratings and PPV buyrates?

[jesseewiak]

No formula or anything like that. I just use the general idea of TNA with a worse TV contract but actual build to a PPV and work from there. It's basically for color and it's not always going to be a slow upward climb. I'm going to book main events that don't draw that well because that's where the story goes.