Pro Wrestling PRIDE 4/5 - Part II
Pro Wrestling PRIDE
4/5/08
Orlando, Florida
The PRIDE Championship Tournament
Part II
Austin Aries is backstage with Lena Yada. Aries looks focused, and Leticia begins to speak to him.
Lena – I’m Leticia Cline, and I’m here backstage with Austin Aries. Austin, in your first match, you scored what some people called an upset against Paul Burchill and MVP. How do you feel after that match?
Aries – An upset? How is that an upset? I’m undefeated here in PRIDE, and I showed you and everyone else why I’m better than those two. I already beat all three other alumni of Generation Next, and I just beat those two men. I can’t be beat, and tonight I’ll be crowned champion. Because for the past few years, I’ve always been overshadowed by guys like CM Punk, Samoa Joe, and Alex Shelley. But I’ve always shown that I’m as good, even better than those men. They’re nothing, and my time to get to the top is now. I’m not Generation Next anymore, I am Generation Now.
Lena – Up next, you’re going to face CM Punk. A couple of years ago, he beat you for the ROH Title. How do you prepare for a match against him on such short notice?
Aries – You know, I’ve always heard the quote, ‘Some Things Can Change, but Some Always Stay the Same.’ I can use that quote to my match that I’ll have right now. Three years ago, CM Punk beat me in a grueling match. But that was 3 years ago, and this is now. Now I’m in the prime of my career, I’m on the top of my game. As for CM Punk, his time is over. Now he’s just a sports entertainment superstar, just an entertainer. He’s not who he used to be. And right now, I’ll beat him. Right after I beat him, I’ll be one win away from that belt. After that, Austin Aries will be the face of Pro Wrestling PRIDE.
Aries walks away, and the camera fades out on that scene. The camera now shows the middle of the ring, where Steven D'Angelis announces the current match
D’Angelis – The following is a semifinal match, in the Pro Wrestling PRIDE Championship Tournament! It is scheduled for one fall, under a 30 Minute Time Limit!
Miseria Cantare hits and CM Punk comes to the ring in his ring jacket. He walks to the ring, yelling “It’s Clobbering Time!†He looks focused and absorbs the crowd’s cheer.
D’Angelis – Coming to the ring, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing 219 pounds, and standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, CM Punk!
Personal Jesus starts to play and Austin Aries walks through the curtain, yelling. He gets a mixed reaction from the fans as he walks to the ring.
D’Angelis – His opponent, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 207 pounds, Austin Aries!
Simon – In the match Austin Aries mentioned in his promo, he and CM Punk wrestled for over an hour. Do you think one can put the other away in under 30 minutes?
Malenko – Both men have to be pretty tired already, both of them went all out in their first matches of the night. And this match will not feature Chris Masters on commentary, because he is currently eating his fat ass off at some restaurant.
PRIDE Title Tournament
Semifinals
CM Punk vs Austin Aries
*Bell Rings*
Both men are in the middle of the ring, and CM Punk locks up with Austin Aries. Aries gets in a waistlock, and brings Punk to the mat with a takedown. Aries locks in a grounded wristlock on Punk. CM Punk uses a leg scissors to escape the hold, and locks Aries in the hold. Aries stands on his head and escapes, and when he gets out of Punk’s legs, Aries dropkicks Punk’s face. Aries locks in a headlock, but CM Punk gets out of it and locks in an armbar. Aries bridges to escape and both men get on their feet. Aries runs at Punk, and he is brought down with an arm drag. Punk holds the arm of Aries, and puts it in a kneeling armbar. Aries rolls out of it, and both men get to their feet, holding fists up in a fighting position. The fans applaud, both men are at a draw. They lock up again, and Aries sends Punk running across the ropes. Aries drives Punk over his head with a big hip toss, but Punk lands on his feet. Aries didn’t see Punk land, and he’s spun around. Punk strikes his forearms forward at Aries’ face, and he goes for a spinning back fist, which is ducked by Austin Aries. Aries grabs Punk’s waist and drives him backwards with a back suplex.
Aries rolls the leg of Punk up. 1… Kickout by Punk, and he quickly gets to his feet. Aries runs at Punk and goes for a knee strike, but Punk moved out of the way and sends Aries across the ropes. Punk jumps high and dropkicks Aries in the face. CM Punk rolls Aries to his stomach and he runs against the ropes. Punk baseball slides into the face of Aries, and he waits for him to get up. Aries gets up and Punk puts him in a headlock. CM Punk throws him to the mat with a headlock takeover, and dropkicks the back of his head. CM Punk goes for a cover. 1… Austin Aries kicks out emphatically. CM Punk gets up and runs to the ropes. Aries is almost hit with a leg drop, but he instinctively rolls out of the way, with Punk landing on the mat. Aries gets up and kicks Punk hard in the back with a roundhouse. He backs to the corner, and runs at Punker. He flips over and does a flipping neck snap onto CM Punk, who’s seated on the mat. Aries is on his feet and dropkicks his seated opponent. Aries sets up for his rolling elbow drop. He points to both sides of the gym, and drops down his elbow on the neck and back of Punk’s head. Aries now puts Punk in a neck wrench, further damaging the Straight Edge Wrestler’s neck. CM Punk escapes by elbowing the abdomen of Aries, and he sweeps Aries off of his feet, and proceeds to pin him with a Jackknife pin. 1…2… Kick out.
Malenko – Austin Aries has set out to do one thing to win this match, attack his neck. We’ve already seen him attack the neck exclusively already, let’s see what he does now.
Simon – It’s softening CM Punk up for the Brainbuster, Punk really would be in bad shape if Aries even attempted that with the way he is now.
CM Punk goes to the apron now, and he attempts a slingshot senton. Aries rolled out of the way and he stands up now on the ring apron. Punk is lying on his stomach, and Aries slingshots into the ring. He drops a knee onto the back of CM Punk’s head. Aries covers, pushing a forearm in the face of his opponent. 1…2… Punk kicks out with a count of two. Aries slaps the face of Punk, and then he rolls him over with a very strong crossface. Austin Aries rears back, wanting Punk to submit to the intense pain in his neck and upper back. Aries pulls way back, and he has to use his knee on Punk’s back to avoid from breaking his own hold. Punk rolls over to his side to lessen the pain, but Aries brings him to his feet, and drives him back down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Aries still is hooked with Punk, and he rolls to his stomach, and jumps and bridges backwards. CM Punk is caught in a bridged necklock, and he either has to reach the ropes, or tap out. CM Punk forces himself to move close to a rope, not wanting to lose the important match. CM Punk reaches out, but he is inches away. He uses a last burst of energy, and crawls closer to the rope, and he grabs it.
Simon – Punk showing his desire to win, knowing that he can’t tap out now.
Malenko – But both of these guys know that, I’m really now expecting a victory by submission.
Austin Aries still has Punk in the hold, and the ref begins to count. 1…..2……3……4… Aries lets go, and a weak CM Punk rolls out of the ring, kneeling on the outside holding his sore neck. Austin Aries is standing in the middle of the ring, waiting for Punk to get to his feet. The Straight Edge Wrestler gets up and stands, still clutching the back of his head and neck. Aries runs against the far ropes, and he looks like he’s going to fly. He jumps through the middle and bottom ropes, but CM Punk moved out of the way by accident, he didn’t even see Aries in the ring before. Austin Aries lands on a guard rail, with his stomach getting most of the damage. CM Punk is now refocused on Aries, and he’s looking to exploit Austin’s recent mistake. CM Punk grabs Aries in a pumphandle hold, and drops him stomach first on the floor. Aries gets to his feet, holding his midsection. Punk hits a spinning toe kick on him, and Aries is brought up in a scoop. Punk drops Aries on the guardrail on his midsection again. Punk grabs Aries by the head, and brings him near a ring post. CM Punk tries to bring him over with an exploder suplex, but Aries lands on his feet, barely missing hitting the post. Aries grabs Punk’s head and slams it against the post, and he uses the post by placing Punk’s head on the front of it. Aries pulls back, using the post as a wedge, damaging the neck of Punker again.
Simon – There it is again, Aries is using his strategy perfectly. He is hitting all of his high impact moves, but using them wisely to damage Punk continually.
Malenko – But Punk really is showing that he can take it all, but Aries might tire himself out at his pace.
Aries rolls Punk back in the ring. He brings Punk to his feet, and hooks him in for a brainbuster. Punk is lifted up, but he quickly counters. He uses the ropes to spin Aries around and drive him to the mat with a Tornado DDT. Both men are on their feet, and both are holding their heads. Punk runs towards Aries, but Austin ducks under a clothesline, and Punk runs to the ropes. Aries grabs Punk’s head and locks him in a sleeper hold. Punk drops to his knees quickly, and goes under Aries’ legs to escape the hold. Punk gets to his feet, and a surprised Austin Aries is put in an abdominal stretch, and Aries grimaces, because his midsection was constantly attacked through both of the night’s matches. Aries looks like he’ll fight out of it, but Punk pulls him up and drops him on his knee with a gutbuster. Aries is bent over, and Punk goes to the apron. He springboards and flies towards Aries. He tries to knock Aries down with a forearm, but Austin jumps up and dropkicks Punk right in the face, sending Punk backwards, and crashing to the mat. As Punk gets to his knees, Aries hits a knee strike on Punk, followed by a knee drop bulldog. He covers. 1…2…. Kick out.
Austin Aries gets off of Punk now, and he goes to the middle of the ring, waiting for Punker to get up. Punk has gone limp, and Aries has to guide Punk to a standing position. He picks Punk up, and drives him back down with a big Crucifix Bomb. He transitions it into a cover. 1…2… Punk rolled backwards and escaped the pinning predicament. Punk still holds his own neck in pain, but looks like he wants to go on an offensive. Aries kicks him in the stomach, and runs against the ropes. He misses a big lariat, and CM Punk hits some open handed slaps, followed by a spinning back fist. Aries is shaken up, and Punk puts his opponent on his shoulders. Aries recovers, bringing Punk down with a crucifix takedown, into a pin. 1…2… Kick out by Punk, but that just got him off of his game. Aries is the first to get up, but Punk shortly follows. Both men stiff each other, but Aries uses his quick forearm strikes to weaken CM Punk. Austin Aries brings Punk up for the Brainbuster. Punk turns around while up in the suplex lift, getting Aries in a small package. 1…2… Both men get up at the same time. Aries runs at Punk, but Austin gets caught, and CM Punk wants to finish it up with the Anaconda Vice. Aries gets out of it by elbowing Punk’s head, and he wants to hit a big move. Aries goes to the back of Punk, and he tries to bring Punker down with a Russian Legsweep. Punk counters, the attempt into an inside cradle pin…
1…2…3!
*Bell Rings*
D’Angelis – Here is your winner, CM Punk!
CM Punk raises his hands and celebrates his victory. He gets out the ring and walks towards Aries, who is leaning on the apron on the floor outside. A tired CM Punk extends his hand out to Austin Aries, thanking him for an amazing contest. Aries looks at Punk for a few seconds, and he looks very upset, and disappointed. Aries says no to the proposed shake, and he walks to the back, holding his head down, and looking very angry with himself.
Malenko – CM Punk has done it, he will have a shot at the Championship later tonight, but we still don’t know who his opponent will be.
Simon – Punk really took some damage in that last match, I want to see if his opponent in the Championship Match exploits his injury and how much energy he used up in his first two matches.
Malenko - We just saw victory happen to CM Punk. But now we send it to Leticia Cline, where she is with Paul Burchill, who sadly was eliminated by Austin Aries.
The camera flashes to the backstage area, where Leticia Cline is standing with a tired looking Paul Burchill. She begins to talk to him…
Leticia – Paul, earlier tonight you suffered defeat at the hands of Austin Aries. You were also eliminated from the tournament. What are your emotions right now, I know you must be disappointed.
Paul – Disappointed isn’t even the start of it. Along with that, I’m also upset, angry, and have a hunger for another match. In the triple threat I was not pinned, I didn’t lose. I also didn’t pin someone or made someone tap out, which I also didn’t win. I’m the odd man out, and it’s just horrible. I know that I could’ve pinned MVP or Austin Aries. But because it was a 3 way match, Austin Aries got the break of his life.
Leticia – I also hear that you have something to say to MVP. What are those words to that man?
Paul – You know, I used to respect Montel Vontavius Porter. I used to respect him when he would live up to his word of guaranteeing victory and beating all of his challengers. But that time was a long time ago, and now here in PRIDE, he hasn’t even gotten a clean win yet. And he still wants a shot at the future champion. He’s probably going to get it, because he’s going to call the race card once again. But the real future contender should be someone else, it really shouldn’t be someone who hasn’t won yet. So next show, I challenge MVP to a singles match. I challenge him to see if he can live to his word.
Leticia – Thanks Paul, now back to the semifinal match of the tournament.
D’Angelis – The following is a semifinal match in the PRIDE Championship Tournament. It is scheduled for one fall, under a 30 minute time limit!
Six Barrel Shotgun plays and Alex Shelley makes his way through the curtain. His usual comical facial expression is absent, replaced with a determined look.
D’Angelis – First, from Detroit, Michigan standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, Alex Shelley!
Mama Said Knock you out hits and Samoa Joe walks through the curtain and onto the PRIDE Entrance Stage. He has a cocky smile on his face, and he looks ready to fight.
D’Angelis – His Opponent, from Huntington Beach, California weighing in at 280 pounds, standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Samoa Joe!
Simon – This is a very important match. It’s Do or Die for both of these guys, not only is pride on the line, but so is a match for the PRIDE Title.
Malenko – Alex Shelley had the shorter match in the second round, and the most rest. He could be either very full of energy or very cramped for this match.
PRIDE Title Tournament
Semifinals
Alex Shelley vs Samoa Joe
*Bell Rings*
Alex Shelley and Samoa Joe stand parallel in the middle of the ring, with hands raised in a fighting stance for both. Shelley hits some quick round kicks to the back of Samoa Joe’s leg, but Joe just brushes them off. Shelley goes behind Joe and tries to take him to the ground, but Joe is jus too big. He gets out of the waistlock and tosses Shelley hard across the ropes. Samoa Joe takes Shelley and brings him up in the air, then down to the mat with a back body drop. Joe holds his hand up and taunts the crowd. Shelley is back up, and he retreats to a corner, and has to rethink. The ref keeps Joe from attacking him, and Shelley gets back to the middle of the ring after a few moments. Shelley goes to his feet and behind Joe, trying to trip him up to get him to the mat. Joe is just too big, and he kicks his leg back and throws Shelley off of him, and out of the ring. Shelley quickly gets back in the ring, and Samoa Joe starts to stomp on Shelley. Shelley slowly gets to his feet, still getting pummeled by Joe. The ref moves Joe back, and gives time to Shelley to get up and avoid the sudden attack. Joe and Alex meet in the middle of the ring again, and the Samoan challenges his opponent to try to knock him down. Shelley runs against the ropes and tries to shoulder block Joe. He runs into a wall and tries again. But this time instead of trying to use his body, Shelley used his feet, utilizing a dropkick to send Samoa Joe a few steps backwards.
Malenko – Shelley does not want to wrestle Samoa Joe, and that’s a good idea. You don’t want to fight someone like Joe who’s so strong and so versatile.
Simon – True. Shelley shouldn’t rely on his aerial moves as much though, Joe probably knows that it might be Shelley’s strategy.
Shelley runs at Samoa Joe, who’s leaning against a ring rope. Alex uses his body and crashes into Samoa Joe, and both men go flying out of the ring, and onto the floor. Alex Shelley gets up quickly, and looks pumped. He climbs up onto the apron, and it looks like he’s going to go for a big move. Samoa Joe gets up, and Shelley runs across and off of the apron, and he lands on Samoa Joe with a body press. Samoa Joe is shaken, and his back gets slammed against the guardrail. Alex Shelley continues his attack, hitting Joe with knife edged chops. Shelley backs up and runs towards Samoa Joe, who’s still leaning on the rail. Samoa Joe saw what was coming, and he catches Shelley and throws him down with the ST-Joe. Shelley’s back slams across the wooden floor, and Joe picks Shelley up, and he wants to inflict more pain onto Alex Shelley. He hooks Shelley in, and he attempts an exploder suplex. When Shelley is brought up, he reverses by grabbing Joe’s head mid air, and bringing it down, driving his throat onto the top of the guardrail in a modified DDT like move. Shelley is standing in the crowd, while Samoa Joe is gasping for air, coughing. Shelley goes over the guardrail and back to the ringside area, and he wants to knock the wind out of Samoa Joe. He uses the guardrail to his advantage, jumping off of it and dropping both of his knees to the back of Samoa Joe, who’s bent over holding his throat. Alex Shelley drops a knee on the back of Samoa Joe’s head. Shelley slides back in the ring to avoid a countout. He immediately goes back to the outside, and continues to brawl with Samoa Joe. Joe just got up, and Shelley still wants to take all the air out of Samoa Joe. Shelley uses martial arts throat thrusts to continue the smart attack, and he finishes up with a big reverse elbow smash. Shelley tries to knock him down with a front choke STO. Samoa Joe counters by elbowing Shelley and Side Slamming him to the floor.
Joe slides back into the ring, not wanting to fight Shelley on the outside, he wants to wrestle. He calls for Shelley to get up, but his voice is hoarse and dry, and he’s still struggling to breathe. Shelley finally gets up, and he rolls back into the ring. Samoa Joe punts Shelley in the midsection just as he was getting up. Samoa Joe runs against the ropes, and he jumps up for a back senton. Shelley rolls out of the way, and Samoa Joe’s back hit hard on the mat, making more damage to Joe’s breathing. Joe rolls to his stomach and lies there. Shelley runs against the ropes and goes for a baseball slide onto Joe, but he tricked Shelley and rolls out of the way. Shelley is sitting, and Samoa Joe gets up, and catches his breath before attacking Shelley. He hits several kicks to the chest of Shelley, and then chops his back, followed by a run across the ropes. Joe wanted to hit a boot, but Shelley moved out of the way, and Joe lands awkwardly, almost in a split. Shelley runs against the ropes and goes for a Shining Wizard, and he delivers. He covers. 1…2… Samoa Joe got a shoulder up. Alex Shelley gets up and quickly drops a leg onto Joe, and proceeds by running against the ropes. He springboards, and tries to hit a springboard moonsault onto Samoa Joe’s chest, trying to knock the wind out of him again. Samoa Joe rolled out of the way, but Shelley lands on his feet. Joe is up, and he peppers Shelley with a couple of unexpected open handed slaps. He throws Shelley against the ropes, and when Alex runs back, he drives him down with a big Samoan Drop. Samoa Joe is up, and he holds his hand up. He runs against the ropes, and yells ‘Samoa’ out, and taps his elbow. He fakes a leg drop, and drops his elbow onto the chest of Alex Shelley, with a nice Samoan combo.
Malenko – Big move by Samoa Joe, paying tribute to his Samoan people.
Simon – It looks like Joe wants to put Shelley away here, but I don’t know if Alex will let him.
Samoa Joe covers. 1…2… Kick out by Shelley, and Samoa Joe looks like he wants to finish Shelley off. Shelley slowly gets up, and Samoa Joe grabs him and throws him to a corner. Joe charges with a body splash, but Shelley rolled under to escape, and Joe’s chest slams against the turnbuckle. Shelley waits for Joe to turn around, and he brings Joe down with a Reverse STO. Shelley jumps quick up on the ropes, and he lands on Samoa Joe with a frog splash to the back. Alex Shelley pins. 1…2… Joe got a foot on the bottom rope. Shelley stands straight up, and he holds his hands up with an A. He brings Samoa Joe to his feet, and he kicks him in the stomach, sending him back a few steps. Shelley follows up with a superkick to the chest of Samoa Joe, but before he fell, Alex grabbed his head, setting up the Sliced Bread #2. The fans are on their feet, and Shelley points towards the turnbuckle. He runs up on the ropes, and it looks like he’ll hit it, but Samoa Joe pushed Shelley away, crotching him on the turnbuckle. Joe turns Shelley around, and it looks like he’s going to hit the Muscle Buster. He grabs his head and hooks him in, but Shelley quickly pushed Joe away, and towards the middle of the ring. Shelley stands on the ropes now, and he jumps off and sends Joe flying with a flying Reverse Elbow. The move made Joe bounce off the ropes. Shelley catches him, and he locks in the Border City Stretch! Joe is stuck in the middle of the ring, with nowhere to go. He tries to counter, but Shelley just wrenches the hold in tighter. Joe uses his power to get to his knees, which loosened the painful hold. From out of nowhere, Joe breaks the Stretch, goes behind Shelley and locks in The Choke! Alex Shelley is completely shocked as he’s brought to the mat. Alex Shelley has nothing else to do but pass out!
*Bell Rings*
D’Angelis – Here is your winner by knockout submission, Samoa Joe!
Simon – What a beautiful counter by Samoa Joe to steal the victory from Alex Shelley.
Malenko – But this only means one thing, Samoa Joe and CM Punk will take on each other later tonight, for the PRIDE Championship.
Simon – That matchup is something people have wanted to see since their Trilogy in 2004. But now this is 2008, things might be much different.
Malenko – Both of them have made a name for themselves in the years since then, and I really want to see how it goes.
Simon – We’ll get to see that match next, right after the second intermission.
The camera now shows the locker room area, where CM Punk is sitting on a bench, with his head down, focusing. He looks up and immediately notices the camera, and after a few short breaths, he begins to speak.
CM Punk – Four years ago, I was involved in one of the most amazing set of matches in wrestling history. Four years ago, Samoa Joe and I put Ring of Honor on the map with our historic trilogy of matches. We didn’t just put Ring of Honor in national attention, we showed people real American wrestling. We showed them that American independent wrestling wasn’t just an angle, and a couple of high production interviews, we showed that wrestling was still alive. The fighting spirit was being shown in a little independent promotion that was constantly getting screwed over. But four years ago, I lost that trilogy, with only one win going to Samoa Joe, and the other two, 60 minute draws.
The Straight Edge Wrestler puts his head down again, and picks it back up, pouring water down his mouth. CM Punk begins to speak again.
CM Punk – But now, history could be made again. Because tonight, I’ve already gained two victories, and I’m in the finals for the PRIDE Title. In the finals, I will face my longtime nemesis, Samoa Joe. I know what people are saying right now. They’re probably saying that history will repeat itself, or that I’m just no match for Samoa Joe. But they’re wrong. This isn’t 2004, this isn’t the year of Samoa Joe. This is now the era of Straight Edge, the CM Punk era. I don’t care if the match goes 2 minutes or a full 30, I will not lose. I want to become the first PRIDE Champion. Because Straight Edge isn’t about giving no effort at all, not acting like most people do. Straight Edge is about discipline, and there is discipline in being a champion. And right now, I’ll show everyone what it’s all about. Right now, you’ll see CM Punk become PRIDE Champion.
CM Punk stands up and starts to warm up.
----------SECOND INTERMISSION----------
The camera now shows the entrance stage, and a mix of Crash and Sirius hits. Mick Foley and Ricky Steamboat walk to the ring, playing to the crowd. They both get into the ring with microphones, and it looks like they have something to say.
Suddenly the venue goes pitch black. Through the darkness, screams play through the speakers. The lights turn back on after a few moments, and in the ring, the Age of the Fall appear, beating down on Foley and Steamboat.
Tyler Black is choking Mick Foley out with barbed wire. Harry Smith pushes Steamboat to a corner, and starts to brutalize him with a metal pipe, busting him open. Jimmy Jacobs uses his walking stick and switches attacking both men. Lacey directs the traffic, urging the three to continue their ambush. Both commissioners are in a pool of blood. Suddenly, enforcers Test Martin and Mark Jindrak rush to give aid. Their size proves no match to the weapons of the Fall, and they immediately get beaten down. Foley and Steamboat are kicked out of the ring, and the bodyguards are now getting beaten down. They immediately get busted open, and Lacey throws a couple of chairs into the ring. Tyler Black takes one chair and closes it on the head of Mark Jindrak, choking him. Harry Smith grabs some barbed wire and wraps it around the body of Test, including his head. Jacobs stomps at the both of them, and with each stomp, blood spurts out of their motionless bodies. Jimmy Jacobs pulls two things out of a briefcase he placed in a corner. He takes out two body bags. The three put the two big men in the body bags, and display them in the ring like trophies. Jimmy Jacobs grabs the mic Mick Foley dropped, and he begins to speak…
Jacobs – Who’s going to save your heroes now, huh? Come on, someone save them. NOTHING SAVES. No matter how much they try to keep us away, our army grows bigger. With every time they try to stop us, they try to oppress us, we just keep on getting stronger. Just look at the crowd, I see some soldiers of the Fall right now, and I know they enjoyed what they just saw. They still don’t understand that we can’t be stopped, this war is one sided now. This war that is being fought against the muscled prostitutes like Jindrak or Test, and the people that have outworn their welcome, especially the two men lying on the outside right now.
He hands the microphone to Tyler Black.
Black – I’m tired of seeing the same people every single show in the main event. The same people that sold their souls to feed their egos on television. The people that can never and will never have a meaning in life, just selling themselves like a child’s toy, to be reused again and again until the master gets tired of playing. While those men are whoring themselves to the masses, me and my brothers in this movement are trying to change the world one little person at a time. I’m sick of seeing you people pretend like everything’s OK, but you’re the one that’s sick, you’re the one that can’t even live a normal day. They’re the people that tell me that I’m wasting my life with this movement. But they are the ones that in every single day of their life, rotting away, dissolving into nothingness.
Harry Smith takes the microphone, and he adds in his say.
Smith – People ask me what I’ve done with myself, they ask me if I will ever be the ‘old’ Harry Smith again. I tell them that the old Harry Smith died, and the new me was born smarter, more aware of all the wrong in our world. More aware of the people that I once was employed for are nothing but masters to a fucked up cycle of nothingness, all in it for the buck. All in it, claiming to entertain, but the only entertainment they get is how they could trick so many people to being so gullible, so easy. That’s what we’re fighting, we’re fighting Mick Foley, Rick Steamboat, goddamn Vince McMahon, the leaders of this system that’s been going on for over 50 years. The time to change is now. It all comes crashing down right now, and only change will make that happen. Change in the name of all the victims of this Abused Society. A change in attitude, a change in ideals, a change to this Revolution.
Jacobs – This is just a grass roots movement, changing one person at a time, converting them to open their eyes. Making them realize that they’re drowning in a pool of their own guilt. There’s still much left to be done, time to get up and fight our fight. And I don’t give a damn about your little title match, it can go burn and rot just like the 4 men you see right here. Because this isn’t why we’re here, you already know our message. CM Punk and Samoa Joe, I challenge you to come out here right now, you probably won’t fit in the ring because your television egos are too big. This show is over, there will be no final match, and there will be NO FUTURE.
As Jacobs completed that last phrase, a rush of people runs out from backstage. The teams of the Aerial Assault, Team EGO, the Murder City Machine Guns, Muscle Militia, Second City Saints, Untamed and Vulture Squad 2.0 come to challenge the Age of the Fall. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, Harry Smith and Lacey get out of the ring, and try to run away. There is too much opposition, and they’re caught by the insurgence of people. They’re dragged backstage, and the fans applaud and chant thank you. Some people remain to aid the 4 men that were attacked. Mick Foley looks like he’s back to his senses, but barely. Someone gives him a microphone, and he says with a choked voice.
Foley – Continue the show.
Foley passes out after that last sentence. Him and the other three passed out men are carried to the back on stretchers. The teams go to the back, looking worried.
Malenko – The Age of the Fall really showed the PRIDE officials what happens when you mess with them.
Simon – They really are out to continue their revolution, and I guess taking Foley and Steamboat down makes them think it’ll help.
Malenko – But luckily some teams got out before more chaos could happen. I don’t know what could’ve happened if the attack continued.
Simon – Look who’s back, its Chris Masters.
Masters – Finally, the people watching this online can hear my marvelous voice once again.
Mama Said Knock You Out plays through the venue, and Samoa Joe walks through the curtain, and he has an intense look on his face. He walks to the ring, getting mixed reactions from the fans. He slides into the ring and poses.
Miseria Cantare hits, and CM Punk steps through the curtain and onto the entrance area. He holds up an X, and the fans cheer him. He slides in the ring, and gets on his knees and holds up the Straight Edge X.
D’Angelis – The following match is the Main Event, the Finals of the Pro Wrestling PRIDE Championship Tournament! It is scheduled for one fall, under a 30 minute time limit! First, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing 219 pounds, standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, CM Punk! His opponent, from Huntington Beach, California weighing in at 280 pounds, standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Samoa Joe!
The ref holds up the PRIDE Championship Belt.
Malenko – Here we go, Joe vs Punk IV. Right here, right now for the PRIDE Title.
Simon – I’m interested to see which strategy each man uses, they’ve both taken lots of damage tonight, I’m feeling that they’ll find their pace and use it to their advantage.
Masters – I hate both of these guys.
Main Event
PRIDE Championship Tournament
The Finals
Samoa Joe vs CM Punk
*Bell Rings*
The two men stand in the middle of the ring, and they shake hands. They stare each other down for a couple of seconds, and begin to circle each other. They finally lock up, and Samoa Joe easily pushes CM Punk to the mat. CM Punk gets up, and the two lock up again. Before Samoa Joe could use his power, Punk shocked Joe with a small package. 1… Samoa Joe rolls while still in the cover, pinning CM Punk. 1… CM Punk kicked out, and the two separate, standing opposite in the middle of the ring. They lock up a third time. It goes neutral, and the two lock up again. Samoa Joe pushes Punk to a corner, and Joe backs up, not wanting to use his strikes too early in the match. Punk gets into the middle of the ring, and he and Samoa Joe circle each other. Joe is put into a hammerlock, which is reversed quickly when Joe puts Punk in the same hold. Samoa Joe brings Punk to his knees and onto his stomach, and locks in a headlock. CM Punk gets out of it, and he gets to his feet, putting Joe in his own headlock. Samoa Joe counters to a hammerlock, pulling back on his arm. CM Punk backs up, driving Samoa Joe to a corner.
The ref asks for a break, and CM Punk goes to another corner. The two meet in the center of the ring, and there’s a test of strength. Samoa Joe lets go of one arm and puts Punk in a wristlock. Samoa Joe twists the arm of Punk tight, and Punk looks for a reversal. Punk rolls to the mat, rolls back and kicks the hand of Samoa Joe, successfully breaking the wristlock. Punk gets up, and the two are at a standoff, and the fans applaud this. They get into another test of strength. CM Punk wins this time, putting Joe in his own wristlock. Samoa Joe counters quickly with a drop toe hold, and locks CM Punk in a camel clutch. Joe wants to attack the already injured neck of CM Punk, and he rears back, putting Punk in an awkward position. Before Punk could escape, Joe locks Punk in a crossface, further exploiting the neck. Punk says no to a tapout. Before Samoa Joe could rear back, Punk countered it into a grounded hammerlock. Samoa Joe tried to counter, but Punk blocks it. Samoa Joe uses his free arm to elbow CM Punk in the face, and Punk’s hold loosens on the bigger man. Samoa Joe escapes and the two get up.
Simon – Both of these men want to wear the other out, the go for big moves.
Malenko – Good to see Samoa Joe attack Punk’s neck, that’s what the smart wrestler would do.
Masters – BOR-ING!
Punk and Joe lock up like in the beginning of the match, and Samoa Joe throws CM Punk to a corner. Punk stops himself before hitting a turnbuckle, but Samoa Joe runs at him. Punk ducks a clothesline, and Joe hits the turnbuckle. CM Punk chops Samoa Joe, and Joe just takes them. Joe pushes CM Punk away, and he walks towards him. Joe starts to unleash stiff strikes on CM Punk in the middle of the ring. CM Punk answers with some stiff forearms to Joe, and then a chop. Joe just brushes the offense off, and he kicks CM Punk in the back of his leg. Punk staggers backwards, and Joe rocks him with slaps, followed by a round kick to the leg again, making Punk lean on a rope. Samoa Joe goes for a spinning forearm, but Punk ducks under it and chops Samoa Joe, and he’s leaning against the ropes now. Punk starts to punch him in the face, and Samoa Joe grabs him by the throat and chops him back to the middle of the ring. Samoa Joe tosses CM Punk against the ropes, and he lifts him up and drops him down with a back body drop. CM Punk quickly gets to his knees, but as he does, Samoa Joe holds his hands up in celebration. CM Punk stands up right now, and he rolls his neck, getting ready for what’s to come.
Malenko – The pace of this match could be getting quicker right now, both Joe and Punk have worn each other out already.
Masters – Joe looks hungry, it looks like he’s asking the fans to give him food.
Simon – Not a smart idea by Joe to be showing off, I would think he would continue his attack, but maybe he’s just tired.
Samoa Joe isn’t looking at CM Punk, and the Straight Edge Star spins him around. Punk throws Joe against the ropes. Punk drops down, and Joe runs against the opposite set of ropes. Punk is up, but he gets hit with a shoulder block. Samoa Joe waits for Punk to get to his feet. Punk finally does, and he gets whipped across the ropes. CM Punk gets thrown overhead with a hip toss, but he lands on his feet. CM Punk turns around and elbows Joe on the back of the head. Samoa Joe turns around and he slaps Punk several times in the face, but Punk comes back with his own slaps and forearms, and he tries to finish the combo with a back fist, but Joe ducked under it. Samoa Joe kicked the dazed Punk right on the side of the head, and Punk collapses to the mat. Joe quickly capitalizes, putting Punk in a neck scissors. Punk reaches out, but can’t find a rope. Samoa Joe changes the hold into an inverted facelock, still damaging the head and neck. CM Punk rolls over, breaking the painful hold. Joe gets up and stomps at Punk’s face, and finishes with a diving forearm. Joe tries to go for a cover, but Punk kicked up and got Joe right in the face.
CM Punk gets to his feet, and throws Samoa Joe against the ropes. Punk jumps up and goes for a dropkick, but Samoa Joe held a rope to evade the attack. Joe runs and falls onto Punk with a back senton. He covers. 1…2… Punk got a shoulder up, and Samoa Joe quickly got up. He wipes his boot on the face of Punk, and finishes with a punt to the midsection. Joe gets on the back of Punk, and puts him in a submission. Joe puts him in a half nelson and crossface, with a knee draped onto the back. Joe rolls to his back, adding even more pressure to the hold. Surprisingly, Punk rolled back and escaped the hold, and he’s standing now. Punk runs against the ropes and baseball slides the top of Joe’s head. Samoa Joe gets up, holding his head. Punk runs at him, and kicks him hard in the stomach. Punk grabs Joe’s arm and goes behind him, and goes back to his front with the arm still held. Punk sweeps Joe’s legs and drove him down with a big DDT. Punk rolls up, and puts both of his knees on the back of Joe. He grabs his head and legs, and tries to bring him over with a Bow and Arrow Hold. Joe’s size proves a problem to bring over, but Samoa Joe finally is brought over in the submission hold.
Malenko – That’s what Punk needs to do, he probably can’t lift Samoa Joe, he just needs to keep on using strong submissions and strategies.
Simon – But he also has to protect his neck too, it’s too perfectly set up for Joe’s signature moves.
Samoa Joe has nowhere to go, and he yells in the painful hold. Punk pulls back the head and legs of Joe farther, and Joe tries to take the pain. Punk loses grip of the hold, and Joe escapes. CM Punk gets up, and so does Samoa Joe. Joe runs at Punk, but he’s stopped with an enziguiri. Punk gets up, and he runs against the ropes. He drives Joe down with a swinging neckbreaker. Punk rolls to his feet and gets back to his feet, still with Samoa Joe hooked in. He drives Samoa Joe back to the mate with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Punk puts Joe in an armbar, but Joe countered and got out of the submission fairly quick. A tired Samoa Joe gets to his feet, and Punk gets up. He sends Punker running against the ropes. Joe caught him and drove him down with a spinebuster, and Joe remains standing. He grabs the legs of his opponent, and it looks like he’s going for a Texas cloverleaf. Punk kicked Joe in the stomach, sending Joe backwards, against the ropes. Joe is running back to Punk, and the grounded man sticks his knees up. That sends Samoa Joe overhead with a monkey flip. Joe gets back to his feet, but he’s groggy. Joe bounces across the ropes, and he gets hit with a big leg lariat. Joe’s still standing, and he looks upset.
CM Punk looks like he wants to hit some more offense, but Samoa Joe rolls out of the ring. The ref tells Punk not to go to the outside until Joe looks ready. Punk does so, and when the ref finally lets him go, he capitalizes on the opportunity. Samoa Joe is still regrouping on the outside when CM Punk comes to the floor. Punk starts to unleash offense on Joe, hitting him hard in the back. Samoa Joe is fully up now, and he challenges Punk to hit him. Punk unleashes a big right hand onto the face of Joe, but Joe only flinched. Joe hits chop and punch combos, and he throws Punk to a guardrail. Joe runs at Punk, and he hits him with a big knee strike to the chest. Joe grabs the head of Punk and slams it on the top of the guardrail. Joe repeatedly does this, and then seats CM Punk on a chair next to the guardrail. Joe backs up and the fans start to chant Olé! Joe runs at Punk, and he attempts the Ole kick. CM Punk moved out of the way, and Joe’s leg smashes against the guardrail, and he staggers a few steps backwards. Punk goes into the crowd now, and he uses the guardrail as a springboard to hit Joe with a crossbody. Both men are currently down on the floor, holding their bodies in pain.
Masters – Way to ruin yourself Punk, that move probably could cost you the match, taking too many risks.
Simon – It’s the only way he could have knocked Joe off of his feet, he can’t lift someone who has about 50 pounds on him.
CM Punk is the first to get up, but he holds his neck, and he tries to catch his breath. While Punk’s back was turned, Samoa Joe gets up too, and he has trouble breathing. Samoa Joe grabs CM Punk and he slams him by the head onto the ring apron. Joe elbows the neck of Punk, and repeats several times. Punk is rolled back into the ring by Samoa Joe, and the Samoan gets up on the ring apron. CM Punk gets up, but he’s not facing Samoa Joe. Joe grabs Punk by the neck and snaps it onto a rope, with a neckbreaker. Punk holds his neck, and he doesn’t know where he is. Samoa Joe gets back into the ring, and he runs against the ropes. Joe tries to hit him in the neck with a Northern Lariat, but Punk ducks it, not knowing what was coming. Punk capitalizes by driving Joe onto his knee. Punk hooks both the arms of Samoa Joe in a double underhook, and he tries to bring him up. Samoa Joe’s weight looks too much to lift by the lighter Punk. Punk uses all that he has, and brings him up, then drives him hard to the knee with the double underhook backbreaker. A tired Punk falls onto Joe for a cover. 1…2… Kick out by Joe, elbowing Punk on the neck in the process.
Both men get to their feet, and they exchange chops. Punk catches the hand of Joe, and puts it in a wristlock. Punk quickly goes for a wristlock clothesline, but Joe ducks under it, and he grabs Punk by the waist now. Joe brings Punk back with a German Suplex, and he rolls over and up for a second. He now hooks his opponent in a full nelson and brings him over with a Dragon Suplex. Joe rolls over and up to his feet once more, and puts Punk in a straightjacket hold. Joe brings him over one last time, and drops him down with a third suplex, and Joe bridges. 1…2… Punk kicks out, and Samoa Joe slaps the chest of Punk, and he runs against the ropes now. Joe jumps up and drops his knee onto the throat of CM Punk, and he covers. 1…2… Punk kicked out, and he’s brought to his feet by Joe. Joe runs against the ropes, and he lifts his leg up, going for a big boot. Punk moved out of the way, and Punk runs towards the ropes. He springboards off, of them, and he grabs Samoa Joe’s head and drives it to the mat with a Tornado DDT. Punk gets back to a standing position, and Joe is kneeling. Punk runs against the ropes, and he wants to hit Joe with a big move.
Punk gets to Joe, and hits him in the face with a Shining Wizard. Punk sees Joe down and he covers. 1…2… Joe kicked out. CM Punk goes to the apron, anticipating when Samoa Joe would get up. Joe stands up, and he gets hit with a springboard clothesline from CM Punk. Punk stands up, and he calls for the finish. Samoa Joe gets up, and immediately he gets hit with some forearms and slaps. Punk pulls Joe in for the Anaconda Vice, but Joe elbows the head of his opponent, stopping the move from happening. Joe gets out of the hold Punk has, and he brings him over with an Exploder Suplex. Punk is sitting on the mat, and he gets kicked stiff by Samoa Joe. Joe runs against the ropes and hits a single leg dropkick on the back of CM Punk’s head. Punk gets up slowly, and he’s thrown against the ropes. Joe puts Punk in the Choke as he came back to him. Before Joe could put on the body scissors, Punk backed Joe into a corner. Joe gets out of the corner and now puts Punk there. He hits him in the face a couple of times, and sits him on the top rope. Joe hooks Punk in for the Muscle Buster, but Punk hits the back of Joe to get out of it. The fans are on their feet, and they want to see what’s about to happen. Joe gets on the second rope, looking to hit a bigger move. Punk got out of the hold of Samoa Joe, and he hooks the arms for the Pepsi Plunge. Before Punk could attempt the move, the bell rings.
*Bell Rings*
D’Angelis – The 30 minute time limit has been expired. This match has been ruled a draw!
The fans chant ‘5 More Minutes’ but both men look extremely tired.
Simon – What a match, both men showed that no one had the advantage, and they fought to a draw.
Masters – That match blew my mind, I’ll have to give credit to both guys there.
Malenko – Let’s see what happens to the PRIDE Title next week, I’m hoping that there’s a rematch somewhere down the road.
Simon – Thank you for watching this historic PRIDE Show. Join us next week to watch what’s to come.
A highlight video plays, along to One Step Closer by Linkin Park. After that, the credits roll and the PRIDE logo flashes across the screen once again.
4/5/08
Orlando, Florida
The PRIDE Championship Tournament
Part II
Austin Aries is backstage with Lena Yada. Aries looks focused, and Leticia begins to speak to him.
Lena – I’m Leticia Cline, and I’m here backstage with Austin Aries. Austin, in your first match, you scored what some people called an upset against Paul Burchill and MVP. How do you feel after that match?
Aries – An upset? How is that an upset? I’m undefeated here in PRIDE, and I showed you and everyone else why I’m better than those two. I already beat all three other alumni of Generation Next, and I just beat those two men. I can’t be beat, and tonight I’ll be crowned champion. Because for the past few years, I’ve always been overshadowed by guys like CM Punk, Samoa Joe, and Alex Shelley. But I’ve always shown that I’m as good, even better than those men. They’re nothing, and my time to get to the top is now. I’m not Generation Next anymore, I am Generation Now.
Lena – Up next, you’re going to face CM Punk. A couple of years ago, he beat you for the ROH Title. How do you prepare for a match against him on such short notice?
Aries – You know, I’ve always heard the quote, ‘Some Things Can Change, but Some Always Stay the Same.’ I can use that quote to my match that I’ll have right now. Three years ago, CM Punk beat me in a grueling match. But that was 3 years ago, and this is now. Now I’m in the prime of my career, I’m on the top of my game. As for CM Punk, his time is over. Now he’s just a sports entertainment superstar, just an entertainer. He’s not who he used to be. And right now, I’ll beat him. Right after I beat him, I’ll be one win away from that belt. After that, Austin Aries will be the face of Pro Wrestling PRIDE.
Aries walks away, and the camera fades out on that scene. The camera now shows the middle of the ring, where Steven D'Angelis announces the current match
D’Angelis – The following is a semifinal match, in the Pro Wrestling PRIDE Championship Tournament! It is scheduled for one fall, under a 30 Minute Time Limit!
Miseria Cantare hits and CM Punk comes to the ring in his ring jacket. He walks to the ring, yelling “It’s Clobbering Time!†He looks focused and absorbs the crowd’s cheer.
D’Angelis – Coming to the ring, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing 219 pounds, and standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, CM Punk!
Personal Jesus starts to play and Austin Aries walks through the curtain, yelling. He gets a mixed reaction from the fans as he walks to the ring.
D’Angelis – His opponent, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, standing 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 207 pounds, Austin Aries!
Simon – In the match Austin Aries mentioned in his promo, he and CM Punk wrestled for over an hour. Do you think one can put the other away in under 30 minutes?
Malenko – Both men have to be pretty tired already, both of them went all out in their first matches of the night. And this match will not feature Chris Masters on commentary, because he is currently eating his fat ass off at some restaurant.
PRIDE Title Tournament
Semifinals
CM Punk vs Austin Aries
*Bell Rings*
Both men are in the middle of the ring, and CM Punk locks up with Austin Aries. Aries gets in a waistlock, and brings Punk to the mat with a takedown. Aries locks in a grounded wristlock on Punk. CM Punk uses a leg scissors to escape the hold, and locks Aries in the hold. Aries stands on his head and escapes, and when he gets out of Punk’s legs, Aries dropkicks Punk’s face. Aries locks in a headlock, but CM Punk gets out of it and locks in an armbar. Aries bridges to escape and both men get on their feet. Aries runs at Punk, and he is brought down with an arm drag. Punk holds the arm of Aries, and puts it in a kneeling armbar. Aries rolls out of it, and both men get to their feet, holding fists up in a fighting position. The fans applaud, both men are at a draw. They lock up again, and Aries sends Punk running across the ropes. Aries drives Punk over his head with a big hip toss, but Punk lands on his feet. Aries didn’t see Punk land, and he’s spun around. Punk strikes his forearms forward at Aries’ face, and he goes for a spinning back fist, which is ducked by Austin Aries. Aries grabs Punk’s waist and drives him backwards with a back suplex.
Aries rolls the leg of Punk up. 1… Kickout by Punk, and he quickly gets to his feet. Aries runs at Punk and goes for a knee strike, but Punk moved out of the way and sends Aries across the ropes. Punk jumps high and dropkicks Aries in the face. CM Punk rolls Aries to his stomach and he runs against the ropes. Punk baseball slides into the face of Aries, and he waits for him to get up. Aries gets up and Punk puts him in a headlock. CM Punk throws him to the mat with a headlock takeover, and dropkicks the back of his head. CM Punk goes for a cover. 1… Austin Aries kicks out emphatically. CM Punk gets up and runs to the ropes. Aries is almost hit with a leg drop, but he instinctively rolls out of the way, with Punk landing on the mat. Aries gets up and kicks Punk hard in the back with a roundhouse. He backs to the corner, and runs at Punker. He flips over and does a flipping neck snap onto CM Punk, who’s seated on the mat. Aries is on his feet and dropkicks his seated opponent. Aries sets up for his rolling elbow drop. He points to both sides of the gym, and drops down his elbow on the neck and back of Punk’s head. Aries now puts Punk in a neck wrench, further damaging the Straight Edge Wrestler’s neck. CM Punk escapes by elbowing the abdomen of Aries, and he sweeps Aries off of his feet, and proceeds to pin him with a Jackknife pin. 1…2… Kick out.
Malenko – Austin Aries has set out to do one thing to win this match, attack his neck. We’ve already seen him attack the neck exclusively already, let’s see what he does now.
Simon – It’s softening CM Punk up for the Brainbuster, Punk really would be in bad shape if Aries even attempted that with the way he is now.
CM Punk goes to the apron now, and he attempts a slingshot senton. Aries rolled out of the way and he stands up now on the ring apron. Punk is lying on his stomach, and Aries slingshots into the ring. He drops a knee onto the back of CM Punk’s head. Aries covers, pushing a forearm in the face of his opponent. 1…2… Punk kicks out with a count of two. Aries slaps the face of Punk, and then he rolls him over with a very strong crossface. Austin Aries rears back, wanting Punk to submit to the intense pain in his neck and upper back. Aries pulls way back, and he has to use his knee on Punk’s back to avoid from breaking his own hold. Punk rolls over to his side to lessen the pain, but Aries brings him to his feet, and drives him back down with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Aries still is hooked with Punk, and he rolls to his stomach, and jumps and bridges backwards. CM Punk is caught in a bridged necklock, and he either has to reach the ropes, or tap out. CM Punk forces himself to move close to a rope, not wanting to lose the important match. CM Punk reaches out, but he is inches away. He uses a last burst of energy, and crawls closer to the rope, and he grabs it.
Simon – Punk showing his desire to win, knowing that he can’t tap out now.
Malenko – But both of these guys know that, I’m really now expecting a victory by submission.
Austin Aries still has Punk in the hold, and the ref begins to count. 1…..2……3……4… Aries lets go, and a weak CM Punk rolls out of the ring, kneeling on the outside holding his sore neck. Austin Aries is standing in the middle of the ring, waiting for Punk to get to his feet. The Straight Edge Wrestler gets up and stands, still clutching the back of his head and neck. Aries runs against the far ropes, and he looks like he’s going to fly. He jumps through the middle and bottom ropes, but CM Punk moved out of the way by accident, he didn’t even see Aries in the ring before. Austin Aries lands on a guard rail, with his stomach getting most of the damage. CM Punk is now refocused on Aries, and he’s looking to exploit Austin’s recent mistake. CM Punk grabs Aries in a pumphandle hold, and drops him stomach first on the floor. Aries gets to his feet, holding his midsection. Punk hits a spinning toe kick on him, and Aries is brought up in a scoop. Punk drops Aries on the guardrail on his midsection again. Punk grabs Aries by the head, and brings him near a ring post. CM Punk tries to bring him over with an exploder suplex, but Aries lands on his feet, barely missing hitting the post. Aries grabs Punk’s head and slams it against the post, and he uses the post by placing Punk’s head on the front of it. Aries pulls back, using the post as a wedge, damaging the neck of Punker again.
Simon – There it is again, Aries is using his strategy perfectly. He is hitting all of his high impact moves, but using them wisely to damage Punk continually.
Malenko – But Punk really is showing that he can take it all, but Aries might tire himself out at his pace.
Aries rolls Punk back in the ring. He brings Punk to his feet, and hooks him in for a brainbuster. Punk is lifted up, but he quickly counters. He uses the ropes to spin Aries around and drive him to the mat with a Tornado DDT. Both men are on their feet, and both are holding their heads. Punk runs towards Aries, but Austin ducks under a clothesline, and Punk runs to the ropes. Aries grabs Punk’s head and locks him in a sleeper hold. Punk drops to his knees quickly, and goes under Aries’ legs to escape the hold. Punk gets to his feet, and a surprised Austin Aries is put in an abdominal stretch, and Aries grimaces, because his midsection was constantly attacked through both of the night’s matches. Aries looks like he’ll fight out of it, but Punk pulls him up and drops him on his knee with a gutbuster. Aries is bent over, and Punk goes to the apron. He springboards and flies towards Aries. He tries to knock Aries down with a forearm, but Austin jumps up and dropkicks Punk right in the face, sending Punk backwards, and crashing to the mat. As Punk gets to his knees, Aries hits a knee strike on Punk, followed by a knee drop bulldog. He covers. 1…2…. Kick out.
Austin Aries gets off of Punk now, and he goes to the middle of the ring, waiting for Punker to get up. Punk has gone limp, and Aries has to guide Punk to a standing position. He picks Punk up, and drives him back down with a big Crucifix Bomb. He transitions it into a cover. 1…2… Punk rolled backwards and escaped the pinning predicament. Punk still holds his own neck in pain, but looks like he wants to go on an offensive. Aries kicks him in the stomach, and runs against the ropes. He misses a big lariat, and CM Punk hits some open handed slaps, followed by a spinning back fist. Aries is shaken up, and Punk puts his opponent on his shoulders. Aries recovers, bringing Punk down with a crucifix takedown, into a pin. 1…2… Kick out by Punk, but that just got him off of his game. Aries is the first to get up, but Punk shortly follows. Both men stiff each other, but Aries uses his quick forearm strikes to weaken CM Punk. Austin Aries brings Punk up for the Brainbuster. Punk turns around while up in the suplex lift, getting Aries in a small package. 1…2… Both men get up at the same time. Aries runs at Punk, but Austin gets caught, and CM Punk wants to finish it up with the Anaconda Vice. Aries gets out of it by elbowing Punk’s head, and he wants to hit a big move. Aries goes to the back of Punk, and he tries to bring Punker down with a Russian Legsweep. Punk counters, the attempt into an inside cradle pin…
1…2…3!
*Bell Rings*
D’Angelis – Here is your winner, CM Punk!
CM Punk raises his hands and celebrates his victory. He gets out the ring and walks towards Aries, who is leaning on the apron on the floor outside. A tired CM Punk extends his hand out to Austin Aries, thanking him for an amazing contest. Aries looks at Punk for a few seconds, and he looks very upset, and disappointed. Aries says no to the proposed shake, and he walks to the back, holding his head down, and looking very angry with himself.
Malenko – CM Punk has done it, he will have a shot at the Championship later tonight, but we still don’t know who his opponent will be.
Simon – Punk really took some damage in that last match, I want to see if his opponent in the Championship Match exploits his injury and how much energy he used up in his first two matches.
Malenko - We just saw victory happen to CM Punk. But now we send it to Leticia Cline, where she is with Paul Burchill, who sadly was eliminated by Austin Aries.
The camera flashes to the backstage area, where Leticia Cline is standing with a tired looking Paul Burchill. She begins to talk to him…
Leticia – Paul, earlier tonight you suffered defeat at the hands of Austin Aries. You were also eliminated from the tournament. What are your emotions right now, I know you must be disappointed.
Paul – Disappointed isn’t even the start of it. Along with that, I’m also upset, angry, and have a hunger for another match. In the triple threat I was not pinned, I didn’t lose. I also didn’t pin someone or made someone tap out, which I also didn’t win. I’m the odd man out, and it’s just horrible. I know that I could’ve pinned MVP or Austin Aries. But because it was a 3 way match, Austin Aries got the break of his life.
Leticia – I also hear that you have something to say to MVP. What are those words to that man?
Paul – You know, I used to respect Montel Vontavius Porter. I used to respect him when he would live up to his word of guaranteeing victory and beating all of his challengers. But that time was a long time ago, and now here in PRIDE, he hasn’t even gotten a clean win yet. And he still wants a shot at the future champion. He’s probably going to get it, because he’s going to call the race card once again. But the real future contender should be someone else, it really shouldn’t be someone who hasn’t won yet. So next show, I challenge MVP to a singles match. I challenge him to see if he can live to his word.
Leticia – Thanks Paul, now back to the semifinal match of the tournament.
D’Angelis – The following is a semifinal match in the PRIDE Championship Tournament. It is scheduled for one fall, under a 30 minute time limit!
Six Barrel Shotgun plays and Alex Shelley makes his way through the curtain. His usual comical facial expression is absent, replaced with a determined look.
D’Angelis – First, from Detroit, Michigan standing at 5 feet 10 inches tall and weighing 215 pounds, Alex Shelley!
Mama Said Knock you out hits and Samoa Joe walks through the curtain and onto the PRIDE Entrance Stage. He has a cocky smile on his face, and he looks ready to fight.
D’Angelis – His Opponent, from Huntington Beach, California weighing in at 280 pounds, standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Samoa Joe!
Simon – This is a very important match. It’s Do or Die for both of these guys, not only is pride on the line, but so is a match for the PRIDE Title.
Malenko – Alex Shelley had the shorter match in the second round, and the most rest. He could be either very full of energy or very cramped for this match.
PRIDE Title Tournament
Semifinals
Alex Shelley vs Samoa Joe
*Bell Rings*
Alex Shelley and Samoa Joe stand parallel in the middle of the ring, with hands raised in a fighting stance for both. Shelley hits some quick round kicks to the back of Samoa Joe’s leg, but Joe just brushes them off. Shelley goes behind Joe and tries to take him to the ground, but Joe is jus too big. He gets out of the waistlock and tosses Shelley hard across the ropes. Samoa Joe takes Shelley and brings him up in the air, then down to the mat with a back body drop. Joe holds his hand up and taunts the crowd. Shelley is back up, and he retreats to a corner, and has to rethink. The ref keeps Joe from attacking him, and Shelley gets back to the middle of the ring after a few moments. Shelley goes to his feet and behind Joe, trying to trip him up to get him to the mat. Joe is just too big, and he kicks his leg back and throws Shelley off of him, and out of the ring. Shelley quickly gets back in the ring, and Samoa Joe starts to stomp on Shelley. Shelley slowly gets to his feet, still getting pummeled by Joe. The ref moves Joe back, and gives time to Shelley to get up and avoid the sudden attack. Joe and Alex meet in the middle of the ring again, and the Samoan challenges his opponent to try to knock him down. Shelley runs against the ropes and tries to shoulder block Joe. He runs into a wall and tries again. But this time instead of trying to use his body, Shelley used his feet, utilizing a dropkick to send Samoa Joe a few steps backwards.
Malenko – Shelley does not want to wrestle Samoa Joe, and that’s a good idea. You don’t want to fight someone like Joe who’s so strong and so versatile.
Simon – True. Shelley shouldn’t rely on his aerial moves as much though, Joe probably knows that it might be Shelley’s strategy.
Shelley runs at Samoa Joe, who’s leaning against a ring rope. Alex uses his body and crashes into Samoa Joe, and both men go flying out of the ring, and onto the floor. Alex Shelley gets up quickly, and looks pumped. He climbs up onto the apron, and it looks like he’s going to go for a big move. Samoa Joe gets up, and Shelley runs across and off of the apron, and he lands on Samoa Joe with a body press. Samoa Joe is shaken, and his back gets slammed against the guardrail. Alex Shelley continues his attack, hitting Joe with knife edged chops. Shelley backs up and runs towards Samoa Joe, who’s still leaning on the rail. Samoa Joe saw what was coming, and he catches Shelley and throws him down with the ST-Joe. Shelley’s back slams across the wooden floor, and Joe picks Shelley up, and he wants to inflict more pain onto Alex Shelley. He hooks Shelley in, and he attempts an exploder suplex. When Shelley is brought up, he reverses by grabbing Joe’s head mid air, and bringing it down, driving his throat onto the top of the guardrail in a modified DDT like move. Shelley is standing in the crowd, while Samoa Joe is gasping for air, coughing. Shelley goes over the guardrail and back to the ringside area, and he wants to knock the wind out of Samoa Joe. He uses the guardrail to his advantage, jumping off of it and dropping both of his knees to the back of Samoa Joe, who’s bent over holding his throat. Alex Shelley drops a knee on the back of Samoa Joe’s head. Shelley slides back in the ring to avoid a countout. He immediately goes back to the outside, and continues to brawl with Samoa Joe. Joe just got up, and Shelley still wants to take all the air out of Samoa Joe. Shelley uses martial arts throat thrusts to continue the smart attack, and he finishes up with a big reverse elbow smash. Shelley tries to knock him down with a front choke STO. Samoa Joe counters by elbowing Shelley and Side Slamming him to the floor.
Joe slides back into the ring, not wanting to fight Shelley on the outside, he wants to wrestle. He calls for Shelley to get up, but his voice is hoarse and dry, and he’s still struggling to breathe. Shelley finally gets up, and he rolls back into the ring. Samoa Joe punts Shelley in the midsection just as he was getting up. Samoa Joe runs against the ropes, and he jumps up for a back senton. Shelley rolls out of the way, and Samoa Joe’s back hit hard on the mat, making more damage to Joe’s breathing. Joe rolls to his stomach and lies there. Shelley runs against the ropes and goes for a baseball slide onto Joe, but he tricked Shelley and rolls out of the way. Shelley is sitting, and Samoa Joe gets up, and catches his breath before attacking Shelley. He hits several kicks to the chest of Shelley, and then chops his back, followed by a run across the ropes. Joe wanted to hit a boot, but Shelley moved out of the way, and Joe lands awkwardly, almost in a split. Shelley runs against the ropes and goes for a Shining Wizard, and he delivers. He covers. 1…2… Samoa Joe got a shoulder up. Alex Shelley gets up and quickly drops a leg onto Joe, and proceeds by running against the ropes. He springboards, and tries to hit a springboard moonsault onto Samoa Joe’s chest, trying to knock the wind out of him again. Samoa Joe rolled out of the way, but Shelley lands on his feet. Joe is up, and he peppers Shelley with a couple of unexpected open handed slaps. He throws Shelley against the ropes, and when Alex runs back, he drives him down with a big Samoan Drop. Samoa Joe is up, and he holds his hand up. He runs against the ropes, and yells ‘Samoa’ out, and taps his elbow. He fakes a leg drop, and drops his elbow onto the chest of Alex Shelley, with a nice Samoan combo.
Malenko – Big move by Samoa Joe, paying tribute to his Samoan people.
Simon – It looks like Joe wants to put Shelley away here, but I don’t know if Alex will let him.
Samoa Joe covers. 1…2… Kick out by Shelley, and Samoa Joe looks like he wants to finish Shelley off. Shelley slowly gets up, and Samoa Joe grabs him and throws him to a corner. Joe charges with a body splash, but Shelley rolled under to escape, and Joe’s chest slams against the turnbuckle. Shelley waits for Joe to turn around, and he brings Joe down with a Reverse STO. Shelley jumps quick up on the ropes, and he lands on Samoa Joe with a frog splash to the back. Alex Shelley pins. 1…2… Joe got a foot on the bottom rope. Shelley stands straight up, and he holds his hands up with an A. He brings Samoa Joe to his feet, and he kicks him in the stomach, sending him back a few steps. Shelley follows up with a superkick to the chest of Samoa Joe, but before he fell, Alex grabbed his head, setting up the Sliced Bread #2. The fans are on their feet, and Shelley points towards the turnbuckle. He runs up on the ropes, and it looks like he’ll hit it, but Samoa Joe pushed Shelley away, crotching him on the turnbuckle. Joe turns Shelley around, and it looks like he’s going to hit the Muscle Buster. He grabs his head and hooks him in, but Shelley quickly pushed Joe away, and towards the middle of the ring. Shelley stands on the ropes now, and he jumps off and sends Joe flying with a flying Reverse Elbow. The move made Joe bounce off the ropes. Shelley catches him, and he locks in the Border City Stretch! Joe is stuck in the middle of the ring, with nowhere to go. He tries to counter, but Shelley just wrenches the hold in tighter. Joe uses his power to get to his knees, which loosened the painful hold. From out of nowhere, Joe breaks the Stretch, goes behind Shelley and locks in The Choke! Alex Shelley is completely shocked as he’s brought to the mat. Alex Shelley has nothing else to do but pass out!
*Bell Rings*
D’Angelis – Here is your winner by knockout submission, Samoa Joe!
Simon – What a beautiful counter by Samoa Joe to steal the victory from Alex Shelley.
Malenko – But this only means one thing, Samoa Joe and CM Punk will take on each other later tonight, for the PRIDE Championship.
Simon – That matchup is something people have wanted to see since their Trilogy in 2004. But now this is 2008, things might be much different.
Malenko – Both of them have made a name for themselves in the years since then, and I really want to see how it goes.
Simon – We’ll get to see that match next, right after the second intermission.
The camera now shows the locker room area, where CM Punk is sitting on a bench, with his head down, focusing. He looks up and immediately notices the camera, and after a few short breaths, he begins to speak.
CM Punk – Four years ago, I was involved in one of the most amazing set of matches in wrestling history. Four years ago, Samoa Joe and I put Ring of Honor on the map with our historic trilogy of matches. We didn’t just put Ring of Honor in national attention, we showed people real American wrestling. We showed them that American independent wrestling wasn’t just an angle, and a couple of high production interviews, we showed that wrestling was still alive. The fighting spirit was being shown in a little independent promotion that was constantly getting screwed over. But four years ago, I lost that trilogy, with only one win going to Samoa Joe, and the other two, 60 minute draws.
The Straight Edge Wrestler puts his head down again, and picks it back up, pouring water down his mouth. CM Punk begins to speak again.
CM Punk – But now, history could be made again. Because tonight, I’ve already gained two victories, and I’m in the finals for the PRIDE Title. In the finals, I will face my longtime nemesis, Samoa Joe. I know what people are saying right now. They’re probably saying that history will repeat itself, or that I’m just no match for Samoa Joe. But they’re wrong. This isn’t 2004, this isn’t the year of Samoa Joe. This is now the era of Straight Edge, the CM Punk era. I don’t care if the match goes 2 minutes or a full 30, I will not lose. I want to become the first PRIDE Champion. Because Straight Edge isn’t about giving no effort at all, not acting like most people do. Straight Edge is about discipline, and there is discipline in being a champion. And right now, I’ll show everyone what it’s all about. Right now, you’ll see CM Punk become PRIDE Champion.
CM Punk stands up and starts to warm up.
----------SECOND INTERMISSION----------
The camera now shows the entrance stage, and a mix of Crash and Sirius hits. Mick Foley and Ricky Steamboat walk to the ring, playing to the crowd. They both get into the ring with microphones, and it looks like they have something to say.
Suddenly the venue goes pitch black. Through the darkness, screams play through the speakers. The lights turn back on after a few moments, and in the ring, the Age of the Fall appear, beating down on Foley and Steamboat.
Tyler Black is choking Mick Foley out with barbed wire. Harry Smith pushes Steamboat to a corner, and starts to brutalize him with a metal pipe, busting him open. Jimmy Jacobs uses his walking stick and switches attacking both men. Lacey directs the traffic, urging the three to continue their ambush. Both commissioners are in a pool of blood. Suddenly, enforcers Test Martin and Mark Jindrak rush to give aid. Their size proves no match to the weapons of the Fall, and they immediately get beaten down. Foley and Steamboat are kicked out of the ring, and the bodyguards are now getting beaten down. They immediately get busted open, and Lacey throws a couple of chairs into the ring. Tyler Black takes one chair and closes it on the head of Mark Jindrak, choking him. Harry Smith grabs some barbed wire and wraps it around the body of Test, including his head. Jacobs stomps at the both of them, and with each stomp, blood spurts out of their motionless bodies. Jimmy Jacobs pulls two things out of a briefcase he placed in a corner. He takes out two body bags. The three put the two big men in the body bags, and display them in the ring like trophies. Jimmy Jacobs grabs the mic Mick Foley dropped, and he begins to speak…
Jacobs – Who’s going to save your heroes now, huh? Come on, someone save them. NOTHING SAVES. No matter how much they try to keep us away, our army grows bigger. With every time they try to stop us, they try to oppress us, we just keep on getting stronger. Just look at the crowd, I see some soldiers of the Fall right now, and I know they enjoyed what they just saw. They still don’t understand that we can’t be stopped, this war is one sided now. This war that is being fought against the muscled prostitutes like Jindrak or Test, and the people that have outworn their welcome, especially the two men lying on the outside right now.
He hands the microphone to Tyler Black.
Black – I’m tired of seeing the same people every single show in the main event. The same people that sold their souls to feed their egos on television. The people that can never and will never have a meaning in life, just selling themselves like a child’s toy, to be reused again and again until the master gets tired of playing. While those men are whoring themselves to the masses, me and my brothers in this movement are trying to change the world one little person at a time. I’m sick of seeing you people pretend like everything’s OK, but you’re the one that’s sick, you’re the one that can’t even live a normal day. They’re the people that tell me that I’m wasting my life with this movement. But they are the ones that in every single day of their life, rotting away, dissolving into nothingness.
Harry Smith takes the microphone, and he adds in his say.
Smith – People ask me what I’ve done with myself, they ask me if I will ever be the ‘old’ Harry Smith again. I tell them that the old Harry Smith died, and the new me was born smarter, more aware of all the wrong in our world. More aware of the people that I once was employed for are nothing but masters to a fucked up cycle of nothingness, all in it for the buck. All in it, claiming to entertain, but the only entertainment they get is how they could trick so many people to being so gullible, so easy. That’s what we’re fighting, we’re fighting Mick Foley, Rick Steamboat, goddamn Vince McMahon, the leaders of this system that’s been going on for over 50 years. The time to change is now. It all comes crashing down right now, and only change will make that happen. Change in the name of all the victims of this Abused Society. A change in attitude, a change in ideals, a change to this Revolution.
Jacobs – This is just a grass roots movement, changing one person at a time, converting them to open their eyes. Making them realize that they’re drowning in a pool of their own guilt. There’s still much left to be done, time to get up and fight our fight. And I don’t give a damn about your little title match, it can go burn and rot just like the 4 men you see right here. Because this isn’t why we’re here, you already know our message. CM Punk and Samoa Joe, I challenge you to come out here right now, you probably won’t fit in the ring because your television egos are too big. This show is over, there will be no final match, and there will be NO FUTURE.
As Jacobs completed that last phrase, a rush of people runs out from backstage. The teams of the Aerial Assault, Team EGO, the Murder City Machine Guns, Muscle Militia, Second City Saints, Untamed and Vulture Squad 2.0 come to challenge the Age of the Fall. Jimmy Jacobs, Tyler Black, Harry Smith and Lacey get out of the ring, and try to run away. There is too much opposition, and they’re caught by the insurgence of people. They’re dragged backstage, and the fans applaud and chant thank you. Some people remain to aid the 4 men that were attacked. Mick Foley looks like he’s back to his senses, but barely. Someone gives him a microphone, and he says with a choked voice.
Foley – Continue the show.
Foley passes out after that last sentence. Him and the other three passed out men are carried to the back on stretchers. The teams go to the back, looking worried.
Malenko – The Age of the Fall really showed the PRIDE officials what happens when you mess with them.
Simon – They really are out to continue their revolution, and I guess taking Foley and Steamboat down makes them think it’ll help.
Malenko – But luckily some teams got out before more chaos could happen. I don’t know what could’ve happened if the attack continued.
Simon – Look who’s back, its Chris Masters.
Masters – Finally, the people watching this online can hear my marvelous voice once again.
Mama Said Knock You Out plays through the venue, and Samoa Joe walks through the curtain, and he has an intense look on his face. He walks to the ring, getting mixed reactions from the fans. He slides into the ring and poses.
Miseria Cantare hits, and CM Punk steps through the curtain and onto the entrance area. He holds up an X, and the fans cheer him. He slides in the ring, and gets on his knees and holds up the Straight Edge X.
D’Angelis – The following match is the Main Event, the Finals of the Pro Wrestling PRIDE Championship Tournament! It is scheduled for one fall, under a 30 minute time limit! First, from Chicago, Illinois, weighing 219 pounds, standing 6 feet 1 inch tall, CM Punk! His opponent, from Huntington Beach, California weighing in at 280 pounds, standing at 6 feet 1 inch tall, Samoa Joe!
The ref holds up the PRIDE Championship Belt.
Malenko – Here we go, Joe vs Punk IV. Right here, right now for the PRIDE Title.
Simon – I’m interested to see which strategy each man uses, they’ve both taken lots of damage tonight, I’m feeling that they’ll find their pace and use it to their advantage.
Masters – I hate both of these guys.
Main Event
PRIDE Championship Tournament
The Finals
Samoa Joe vs CM Punk
*Bell Rings*
The two men stand in the middle of the ring, and they shake hands. They stare each other down for a couple of seconds, and begin to circle each other. They finally lock up, and Samoa Joe easily pushes CM Punk to the mat. CM Punk gets up, and the two lock up again. Before Samoa Joe could use his power, Punk shocked Joe with a small package. 1… Samoa Joe rolls while still in the cover, pinning CM Punk. 1… CM Punk kicked out, and the two separate, standing opposite in the middle of the ring. They lock up a third time. It goes neutral, and the two lock up again. Samoa Joe pushes Punk to a corner, and Joe backs up, not wanting to use his strikes too early in the match. Punk gets into the middle of the ring, and he and Samoa Joe circle each other. Joe is put into a hammerlock, which is reversed quickly when Joe puts Punk in the same hold. Samoa Joe brings Punk to his knees and onto his stomach, and locks in a headlock. CM Punk gets out of it, and he gets to his feet, putting Joe in his own headlock. Samoa Joe counters to a hammerlock, pulling back on his arm. CM Punk backs up, driving Samoa Joe to a corner.
The ref asks for a break, and CM Punk goes to another corner. The two meet in the center of the ring, and there’s a test of strength. Samoa Joe lets go of one arm and puts Punk in a wristlock. Samoa Joe twists the arm of Punk tight, and Punk looks for a reversal. Punk rolls to the mat, rolls back and kicks the hand of Samoa Joe, successfully breaking the wristlock. Punk gets up, and the two are at a standoff, and the fans applaud this. They get into another test of strength. CM Punk wins this time, putting Joe in his own wristlock. Samoa Joe counters quickly with a drop toe hold, and locks CM Punk in a camel clutch. Joe wants to attack the already injured neck of CM Punk, and he rears back, putting Punk in an awkward position. Before Punk could escape, Joe locks Punk in a crossface, further exploiting the neck. Punk says no to a tapout. Before Samoa Joe could rear back, Punk countered it into a grounded hammerlock. Samoa Joe tried to counter, but Punk blocks it. Samoa Joe uses his free arm to elbow CM Punk in the face, and Punk’s hold loosens on the bigger man. Samoa Joe escapes and the two get up.
Simon – Both of these men want to wear the other out, the go for big moves.
Malenko – Good to see Samoa Joe attack Punk’s neck, that’s what the smart wrestler would do.
Masters – BOR-ING!
Punk and Joe lock up like in the beginning of the match, and Samoa Joe throws CM Punk to a corner. Punk stops himself before hitting a turnbuckle, but Samoa Joe runs at him. Punk ducks a clothesline, and Joe hits the turnbuckle. CM Punk chops Samoa Joe, and Joe just takes them. Joe pushes CM Punk away, and he walks towards him. Joe starts to unleash stiff strikes on CM Punk in the middle of the ring. CM Punk answers with some stiff forearms to Joe, and then a chop. Joe just brushes the offense off, and he kicks CM Punk in the back of his leg. Punk staggers backwards, and Joe rocks him with slaps, followed by a round kick to the leg again, making Punk lean on a rope. Samoa Joe goes for a spinning forearm, but Punk ducks under it and chops Samoa Joe, and he’s leaning against the ropes now. Punk starts to punch him in the face, and Samoa Joe grabs him by the throat and chops him back to the middle of the ring. Samoa Joe tosses CM Punk against the ropes, and he lifts him up and drops him down with a back body drop. CM Punk quickly gets to his knees, but as he does, Samoa Joe holds his hands up in celebration. CM Punk stands up right now, and he rolls his neck, getting ready for what’s to come.
Malenko – The pace of this match could be getting quicker right now, both Joe and Punk have worn each other out already.
Masters – Joe looks hungry, it looks like he’s asking the fans to give him food.
Simon – Not a smart idea by Joe to be showing off, I would think he would continue his attack, but maybe he’s just tired.
Samoa Joe isn’t looking at CM Punk, and the Straight Edge Star spins him around. Punk throws Joe against the ropes. Punk drops down, and Joe runs against the opposite set of ropes. Punk is up, but he gets hit with a shoulder block. Samoa Joe waits for Punk to get to his feet. Punk finally does, and he gets whipped across the ropes. CM Punk gets thrown overhead with a hip toss, but he lands on his feet. CM Punk turns around and elbows Joe on the back of the head. Samoa Joe turns around and he slaps Punk several times in the face, but Punk comes back with his own slaps and forearms, and he tries to finish the combo with a back fist, but Joe ducked under it. Samoa Joe kicked the dazed Punk right on the side of the head, and Punk collapses to the mat. Joe quickly capitalizes, putting Punk in a neck scissors. Punk reaches out, but can’t find a rope. Samoa Joe changes the hold into an inverted facelock, still damaging the head and neck. CM Punk rolls over, breaking the painful hold. Joe gets up and stomps at Punk’s face, and finishes with a diving forearm. Joe tries to go for a cover, but Punk kicked up and got Joe right in the face.
CM Punk gets to his feet, and throws Samoa Joe against the ropes. Punk jumps up and goes for a dropkick, but Samoa Joe held a rope to evade the attack. Joe runs and falls onto Punk with a back senton. He covers. 1…2… Punk got a shoulder up, and Samoa Joe quickly got up. He wipes his boot on the face of Punk, and finishes with a punt to the midsection. Joe gets on the back of Punk, and puts him in a submission. Joe puts him in a half nelson and crossface, with a knee draped onto the back. Joe rolls to his back, adding even more pressure to the hold. Surprisingly, Punk rolled back and escaped the hold, and he’s standing now. Punk runs against the ropes and baseball slides the top of Joe’s head. Samoa Joe gets up, holding his head. Punk runs at him, and kicks him hard in the stomach. Punk grabs Joe’s arm and goes behind him, and goes back to his front with the arm still held. Punk sweeps Joe’s legs and drove him down with a big DDT. Punk rolls up, and puts both of his knees on the back of Joe. He grabs his head and legs, and tries to bring him over with a Bow and Arrow Hold. Joe’s size proves a problem to bring over, but Samoa Joe finally is brought over in the submission hold.
Malenko – That’s what Punk needs to do, he probably can’t lift Samoa Joe, he just needs to keep on using strong submissions and strategies.
Simon – But he also has to protect his neck too, it’s too perfectly set up for Joe’s signature moves.
Samoa Joe has nowhere to go, and he yells in the painful hold. Punk pulls back the head and legs of Joe farther, and Joe tries to take the pain. Punk loses grip of the hold, and Joe escapes. CM Punk gets up, and so does Samoa Joe. Joe runs at Punk, but he’s stopped with an enziguiri. Punk gets up, and he runs against the ropes. He drives Joe down with a swinging neckbreaker. Punk rolls to his feet and gets back to his feet, still with Samoa Joe hooked in. He drives Samoa Joe back to the mate with a hangman’s neckbreaker. Punk puts Joe in an armbar, but Joe countered and got out of the submission fairly quick. A tired Samoa Joe gets to his feet, and Punk gets up. He sends Punker running against the ropes. Joe caught him and drove him down with a spinebuster, and Joe remains standing. He grabs the legs of his opponent, and it looks like he’s going for a Texas cloverleaf. Punk kicked Joe in the stomach, sending Joe backwards, against the ropes. Joe is running back to Punk, and the grounded man sticks his knees up. That sends Samoa Joe overhead with a monkey flip. Joe gets back to his feet, but he’s groggy. Joe bounces across the ropes, and he gets hit with a big leg lariat. Joe’s still standing, and he looks upset.
CM Punk looks like he wants to hit some more offense, but Samoa Joe rolls out of the ring. The ref tells Punk not to go to the outside until Joe looks ready. Punk does so, and when the ref finally lets him go, he capitalizes on the opportunity. Samoa Joe is still regrouping on the outside when CM Punk comes to the floor. Punk starts to unleash offense on Joe, hitting him hard in the back. Samoa Joe is fully up now, and he challenges Punk to hit him. Punk unleashes a big right hand onto the face of Joe, but Joe only flinched. Joe hits chop and punch combos, and he throws Punk to a guardrail. Joe runs at Punk, and he hits him with a big knee strike to the chest. Joe grabs the head of Punk and slams it on the top of the guardrail. Joe repeatedly does this, and then seats CM Punk on a chair next to the guardrail. Joe backs up and the fans start to chant Olé! Joe runs at Punk, and he attempts the Ole kick. CM Punk moved out of the way, and Joe’s leg smashes against the guardrail, and he staggers a few steps backwards. Punk goes into the crowd now, and he uses the guardrail as a springboard to hit Joe with a crossbody. Both men are currently down on the floor, holding their bodies in pain.
Masters – Way to ruin yourself Punk, that move probably could cost you the match, taking too many risks.
Simon – It’s the only way he could have knocked Joe off of his feet, he can’t lift someone who has about 50 pounds on him.
CM Punk is the first to get up, but he holds his neck, and he tries to catch his breath. While Punk’s back was turned, Samoa Joe gets up too, and he has trouble breathing. Samoa Joe grabs CM Punk and he slams him by the head onto the ring apron. Joe elbows the neck of Punk, and repeats several times. Punk is rolled back into the ring by Samoa Joe, and the Samoan gets up on the ring apron. CM Punk gets up, but he’s not facing Samoa Joe. Joe grabs Punk by the neck and snaps it onto a rope, with a neckbreaker. Punk holds his neck, and he doesn’t know where he is. Samoa Joe gets back into the ring, and he runs against the ropes. Joe tries to hit him in the neck with a Northern Lariat, but Punk ducks it, not knowing what was coming. Punk capitalizes by driving Joe onto his knee. Punk hooks both the arms of Samoa Joe in a double underhook, and he tries to bring him up. Samoa Joe’s weight looks too much to lift by the lighter Punk. Punk uses all that he has, and brings him up, then drives him hard to the knee with the double underhook backbreaker. A tired Punk falls onto Joe for a cover. 1…2… Kick out by Joe, elbowing Punk on the neck in the process.
Both men get to their feet, and they exchange chops. Punk catches the hand of Joe, and puts it in a wristlock. Punk quickly goes for a wristlock clothesline, but Joe ducks under it, and he grabs Punk by the waist now. Joe brings Punk back with a German Suplex, and he rolls over and up for a second. He now hooks his opponent in a full nelson and brings him over with a Dragon Suplex. Joe rolls over and up to his feet once more, and puts Punk in a straightjacket hold. Joe brings him over one last time, and drops him down with a third suplex, and Joe bridges. 1…2… Punk kicks out, and Samoa Joe slaps the chest of Punk, and he runs against the ropes now. Joe jumps up and drops his knee onto the throat of CM Punk, and he covers. 1…2… Punk kicked out, and he’s brought to his feet by Joe. Joe runs against the ropes, and he lifts his leg up, going for a big boot. Punk moved out of the way, and Punk runs towards the ropes. He springboards off, of them, and he grabs Samoa Joe’s head and drives it to the mat with a Tornado DDT. Punk gets back to a standing position, and Joe is kneeling. Punk runs against the ropes, and he wants to hit Joe with a big move.
Punk gets to Joe, and hits him in the face with a Shining Wizard. Punk sees Joe down and he covers. 1…2… Joe kicked out. CM Punk goes to the apron, anticipating when Samoa Joe would get up. Joe stands up, and he gets hit with a springboard clothesline from CM Punk. Punk stands up, and he calls for the finish. Samoa Joe gets up, and immediately he gets hit with some forearms and slaps. Punk pulls Joe in for the Anaconda Vice, but Joe elbows the head of his opponent, stopping the move from happening. Joe gets out of the hold Punk has, and he brings him over with an Exploder Suplex. Punk is sitting on the mat, and he gets kicked stiff by Samoa Joe. Joe runs against the ropes and hits a single leg dropkick on the back of CM Punk’s head. Punk gets up slowly, and he’s thrown against the ropes. Joe puts Punk in the Choke as he came back to him. Before Joe could put on the body scissors, Punk backed Joe into a corner. Joe gets out of the corner and now puts Punk there. He hits him in the face a couple of times, and sits him on the top rope. Joe hooks Punk in for the Muscle Buster, but Punk hits the back of Joe to get out of it. The fans are on their feet, and they want to see what’s about to happen. Joe gets on the second rope, looking to hit a bigger move. Punk got out of the hold of Samoa Joe, and he hooks the arms for the Pepsi Plunge. Before Punk could attempt the move, the bell rings.
*Bell Rings*
D’Angelis – The 30 minute time limit has been expired. This match has been ruled a draw!
The fans chant ‘5 More Minutes’ but both men look extremely tired.
Simon – What a match, both men showed that no one had the advantage, and they fought to a draw.
Masters – That match blew my mind, I’ll have to give credit to both guys there.
Malenko – Let’s see what happens to the PRIDE Title next week, I’m hoping that there’s a rematch somewhere down the road.
Simon – Thank you for watching this historic PRIDE Show. Join us next week to watch what’s to come.
A highlight video plays, along to One Step Closer by Linkin Park. After that, the credits roll and the PRIDE logo flashes across the screen once again.
