Saturday Fight
Night Episode #1
Broxbourne Civic Hall
Your commentary team is Adam Wheeler and Chris Freeman.
After the opening titles rolled and a video package played showing the
highlights of the first round of group matches in the NWA-UK Hammerlock
Heavyweight Championship Tournament, the scene opened in the Broxbourne Civic
Hall where "Picture Perfect" Jason Prentice was making his way down the ramp. As
ever, the beautiful Linda O'Neil was at the side of the former Television
Champion. Prentice is a very talented youngster with a crisp ring style and he
likes to utilise moves such as the T-Bone suplex, the swinging neckbreaker and
the German suplex. Prentice puts opponents away with the Perfect Plant, an
inverted DDT. His first opponent in Group C is the high-flying former EMLL
superstar Muerte de Antedicho. Antedicho was trained by former ECW World
Television Champion Super Crazy and this masked grappler is known for his
incredible backflips off the top turnbuckle.
[NWA-UK Hammerlock Heavyweight Title Tournament Group C, Round 1]:
Muerte de Antedicho defeated Jason Prentice when Jason Prentice passed out in
a Fujiwara armbar in 0:05:40.
Rating: **
Match analysis:
Ironically, the high-flyer Antedicho used a fundamental submission hold to
defeat Jason Prentice, much to the delight of the fans in attendance. Prentice
tried to ground the Spanish sensation early and took control by countering his
top-rope Frankensteiner attempt with a vicious power bomb. Referee Martin Pike
took a bump, meaning that no-one was there to register Prentice's pinfall on
Antedicho after he scored with a gutwrench suplex. After a frustrated Prentice
revived the official, he turned into a single-arm DDT from Antedicho, who then
locked on a fujiwara armbar. Prentice eventually fell unconscious in the hold
after what seemed an eternity, handing all three points to Antedicho. Linda
helped a confused Prentice from the ring afterward, who was mumbling something
about a broken arm.
Backstage, Hammerlock official John McDonald confirmed that Steve Bailey had
been forced to withdraw from the tournament due to his back injury. He wished
Bailey well in his recovery and added that after such a huge win over Byson,
Bailey deserved some sort of bye in the NWA-UK Hammerlock Television Title
Tournament, which will commence soon. McDonald was interrupted by creepy
personal trainer M.J., who said he didn't care about Steve Bailey and demanded
to know why he wasn't a part of the Heavyweight Championship Tournament. Before
McDonald could answer, Martyn Sullivan and Ian Powers arrived on the scene,
voicing similar grievances. McDonald said that they would all have a chance at
capturing the TV Title. M.J. got in McDonald's face and said that wasn't good
enough. Not backing down an inch, McDonald replied that it would have to be.
***Commercial break***
Up next in Group C, "The Iceman" Ben Winter takes on "Everybody's Favourite
Wrestler" Devon Ferrari in another battle of heels. Winter is somebody that a
lot of people believe has ice water running through his veins. He brings a very
strong and powerful style to the ring, all the while displaying no compassion or
emotion. The fact that Devon Ferrari proclaims himself to be “Everybody’s
Favourite Wrestler” in an example that he is the biggest egomaniac you are ever
likely to meet. He has even named his moonsault finisher “The Ego Has Landed”.
Ferrari could be the best athlete in Hammerlock, but frustratingly takes time
out of his matches to mouth-off to the fans.
[NWA-UK Hammerlock Heavyweight Title Tournament Group C, Round 1]:
Devon Ferrari and Ben Winter battled to a draw in 0:15:00.
Rating: **
Match analysis:
Ferrari spent most of this bout on the run from Winter, seemingly ready to
settle for just a point. It was very frustrating to watch but it may have been a
brilliant game plan, as nobody, especially Ferrari himself apparently, expected
him to win. Ferrari avoided defeat by draping a foot across the bottom rope
after a brutal spinebuster slam by Winter. Ferrari always managed to hang on
throughout this contest, despite Winter's complete domination. After an
onslaught of clotheslines, a spear and a double-arm choke slam by the Iceman,
the time limit expired and the bell rang. It must have been music to Devon
Ferrari's ears but Winter will be disappointed because this was a match he
really should have won. The points are shared.
***Commercial break***
The final group stage kicked off with a potentially show stealing match-up
between "The Legacy" Luke Champion and Migraine. A young star of Hammerlock and
of British wrestling in general, Luke Champion is one for the future.
Considerable interest has been shown from several US and Japanese promotions in
this talented grappler. Champion truly believes that he is The Legacy and not
many dispute that fact - he has been quietly tipped to go all the way in the
tournament. His opponent, Migraine, has been described as mentally unstable;
Migraine is known during matches to clutch his head as if he was in severe pain!
He brings bags of experience to the table after spending the early years of his
career in Japan. Migraine is also famous for his short fuse and it doesn’t take
much to push him over the edge.
[NWA-UK Hammerlock Heavyweight Title Tournament Group D, Round 1]:
Luke Champion pinned Migraine after a spinebuster slam in 0:06:46.
Rating: *** 1/4
Match analysis:
This was a very enjoyable encounter between two talented young British stars.
Migraine missed a senton off a chair in the early stages, but connected with two
gorgeous Asai leg lariats later on. Champion connected with an enzuigiri and
followed up with a powerslam for a near fall. Migraine hit nothing but canvas
with an Asai moonsault, leaving him open for a Northern Lights Suplex from The
Legacy. Champion was then able to finish Migraine off with a spinebuster slam in
under seven minutes.
Backstage reporter Kelly caught up with Jason Prentice and Linda O'Neil.
Prentice had his arm in a sling(!). He complained about the tournament being
unfair and how he was screwed in his match. Picture Perfect claimed that he had
been training hard for his match all week and was so tired that he FELL ASLEEP
when Antedicho applied the armbar and the referee erroneously thought that he
had passed out!! Kelly laughed at how ridiculous that statement was. Linda
scowled at her while Prentice stormed off, still favouring his arm.
***Commercial break***
The first stage of group matches came to a close with this battle between Jawaid
Kaleeq and Hiro Kakuhari. An outstanding graduate from the Hammerlock wrestling
school, Jawaid "2 Sleeq" Kaleeq is a huge fan of Mitsuharu Misawa. This fact
shines through in his ring style, which consists predominantly of variations of
tiger suplexes and tiger drivers. The nefarious Hiro Kakuhari is the only former
Heavyweight Champion involved in the tournament and is therefore the only man
who knows what it feels like to be on top of the mountain. This Japanese
sensation is extremely dangerous in the ring as he decimates opponents with
stiff kicks and piercing, flesh-tearing chops. Perhaps Kakuhari’s most
impressive trait is his high threshold of pain.
[NWA-UK Hammerlock Heavyweight Title Tournament Group D, Round 1]:
Jawaid Kaleeq defeated Hiro Kakuhari by countout in 0:05:03.
Rating: * 3/4
Match analysis:
Another shock in the tournament sees the former champion Kakuhari come up short
against Nottingham's own Jawaid Kaleeq. Kaleeq overwhelmed Kakuhari early with
his Misawa-esque elbowsmashes, which Kakuhari had no answer to. Kaleeq countered
Kakuhari's Rising Star Suplex attempt with a vertical suplex of his own. The
battle spilled to the floor where Kaleeq reversed an Irish whip into the steel
guardrail and then executed a tiger driver on the mats at ringside!! Kaleeq then
rolled back into the ring before the referee finished his ten count. It doesn't
matter how you pick up the victory, you still get three points...and these are a
precious three points for Jawaid Kaleeq in what looks to be an extremely tight
group.
Circuit information:
As far as we know, there is absolutely nothing wrong with Jason Prentice's arm.
Group standings after round 1…
Group C:
Muerte de Antedicho 3
Devon Ferrari 1
Ben Winter 1
Jason Prentice 0
Group D:
Luke Champion 3
Jawaid Kaleeq 3
Migraine 0
Hiro Kakuhari 0
We'll be back next week on Hammerlock TV and also on Saturday Fight Night, where
the Heavyweight Tournament continues with the second group stage. You will
see...
On Hammerlock TV...
Group A:
Byson vs. Midnight Blue
Group B:
Cuthbert D. Fharquar vs. Junior Jones
Bryan Campbell vs. The Punisher
On Saturday Fight Night...
Group C:
Jason Prentice vs. Ben Winter
Muerte de Antedicho vs. Devon Ferrari
Group D:
Migraine vs. Jawaid Kaleeq
Luke Champion vs. Hiro Kakuhari
Till then, so long everybody!