Post by Office on Mar 12, 2024 5:27:30 GMT
SAM HEWITT
From the largest city in Canada! Toronto, Ontario! Hello fans and welcome to Spring Chicken! I'm Sam Hewitt and alongside me as always is the "Purebred" Brian Shelzi, and we're take a quick commercial break right off the hop. We have the big ten man tag, captain's fall and there's no time limit. So we're going to give this as much time as possible and try to air as much as we can. Don't go away!
Both teams are already assembled inside the ring, but the difference in cohesiveness is easy to spot.
After the commercial break, Ultimo Pollo IV shoots Azalo off the ropes and catches him on the rebound with a spinning heel kick. Nizbel goes down and follows Lotte's voice, exiting the ring as Azalo climbs up the turnbuckles and jumps Ultimo from behind! He continues pummelling on Pollo, but then grabs his wrist and tries for an Irish whip. Pollo reverses it and sends Azalo into the corner, UP4 charges in... but a boot to the face stops him in his tracks! Azalo darts out and goes behind, but Pollo executes a standing switch and tries to lift him up for a German suplex. Azalo blocks it, then hits a back elbow smash. Freed up, Azalo rushes into the ropes and bounces off... but Pollo leaps up and gets him with a huracanrana! Azalo hits the mat and Pollo is ready to pounce, but the Herkman rolls out of the ring! No matter! Pollo clears the top rope and takes out Azalo on the floor!
SAM HEWITT
What height! Ultimo Pollo IV living up to the El Pollo Loco nickname!
Jin Hirai comes in to replace UP4 while Nizbel is back in for his squad. Nizbel sprints at Hirai, who ducks the initial lariat attempt but eats a knee as he turns around. Nizbel pummels the ZERO-G and tries for a bulldog, but Hirai shoves him off and once more ducks a lariat as Nizbel tries to recover from the failed attempt. Hirai executes a handstand, bouncing against the ropes for momentum and catches Nizbel with a crossbody out of it! He covers!
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2-NO!
Lotte slams her hands on the apron, yelling for Nizbel to exit. Hirai tries to prevent him from doing so, but cannot. Instead, Hirai slingshots himself over the top rope and takes out Nizbel on the floor! Kalidah steps through the ropes, knowing better than to force Matt Pulver or AJ Knight to decide amongst themselves. MEZA tries to get in on the opposite side, but Lynx beats him to the bounce and the crowd, already hot from the start, heats up even more as Lynx and Kalidah trade shots! Lynx lights up Kalidah's chest with overhand palm strikes while the Dark Stalker finally scores a good shot with a throat thrust. Lynx is staggered, then gets hoofed in the face by a boot! Lynx falls out to the apron and Kalidah looks at MEZA, no doubt a big smile etched across his face as he exits the ring after Lynx. Newton keeps hold of MEZA as Lynx hits the floor, Kalidah grabs him up and goozles him against the apron. MEZA breaks free of Newton's grip and cracks Kalidah upside the head with a boot of his own! Lynx uses the chance to wave MEZA off as he clutches his throat, then grabs Kalidah and whips him into the turnbuckle post! Orville Newton enters the ring opposite of AJ Knight. We get a lock-up and a good tussle, but ultimately AJ executes a snapmare and knowing Newton's grappling skills - he does a lunge-style knee to the back! Newton straightens up, but returns to his feet as AJ shrugs smugly. Newton surprisingly kicks AJ in the knee, knocking him off balance then applies a three quarter facelock but AJ gets back up and frees himself. The two get nose to nose, AJ shoves him away then chuckles as he circles around - telling Pulver the kid's got some moxie once the leash is off. The two square up and grapple once again, trading standing switches until AJ drops to a seated position. Newton applies a full nelson and rolls him into a cradle!
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3-NO!
To the surprise of few, AJ Knight has to kick out on his own accord as none of his team attempted to save him. More accurately, the only one in the position to do so was Matt Pulver. AJ slinks out of the ring and invites Newton outside, trying to get under his skin... but ends up chuckling as Pulver reluctantly steps through the ropes.
SAM HEWITT
I'm guessing AJ Knight was more focused on escaping the grappling prowess of young Orville Newton, but he'll certainly take this opportunity to play some mind games as the youngster's mentor Matt Pulver enters the ring in his place.
BRIAN SHELZI
Yeah, I don't think this is happening...
Newton shakes his head no as he realizes what's going on. He backs up and tags in MEZA, who is preoccupied watching Lynx and Kalidah brawl. MEZA bitches out Newton, who meekly exits the ring and grabs the tag rope. MEZA considers tagging him right back in, but has a moment of humility and seems to apologize before turning his attention to Pulver.
SAM HEWITT
Twice these two men have met in the Hijo Invitational, the finals of 2022 and the semi final of 2023. One and one.
BRIAN SHELZI
Also the freshest they've been in any of their meetings, so let's see what they got!
Similar to Knight and Newton, these two take a slower approach to the action than their respective teammates. They interlock fingers on one hand each before engaging in a full on knuckle lock, jockeying for position as they go chest to chest. Pulver sticks his head under MEZA's arms and executes a double wrist arm sault. Pulver transitions, trying for mount but settles for full guard. MEZA does a great job of grabbing an arm, but keeping Pulver's head pushed away as he works his legs to Pulver's hips...
MONKEY FLIP!
MEZA kips up and bounds off the ropes, jumps over Pulver's trip attempt and continues on. Pulver, never the most agile, barely clears MEZA as he leap frogs over him. Pulver seems to land awkward, limping through it but MEZA's flying crossbody takes him off his feet regardless! He lands on top, but Tubby Thomas has to go all the way around to get into better position to see the shoulders.
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-NO!
MEZA bemoans the time it took for Thomas to get there for the count. Pulver rolls out to the floor and limps around, attempting to put pressure on his foot as a replay shows him rolling his ankle on the awkward landing. Pulver seems content after a few steps, but turns as he sees MEZA rushing toward him. He braces for impact, but MEZA leaps onto the top rope and soars over top of Pulver and lands on top of Kalidah, who has been beating the tar out of Lynx! The crowd is going wild!
SAM HEWITT
No eliminations yet, but we've got to take a commercial break! Don't go away!
We're back with Azalo in the ring with Lynx - order has been restored! Lynx clamps on a side headlock, but Azalo backs him up into the ropes. Nizbel tags himself in as Lynx is shot off. Azalo tries to back body drop his foe, but Lynx avoids it enough to land on his feet after the initial lift. Nizbel grabs Lynx from behind and Azalo charges in...
KNEE TO NIZBEL!
Nizbel gets knocked back out of the ring and Lynx grabs Azalo like he's about to execute a backdrop suplex, but hooks the arm and drops to the mat cradling his legs!
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3!
MASON MARVELLE
Azalo has been eliminated!
Jin Hirai high fives Lynx and takes his place as the team pats the veteran on the back as he gets back to the apron. Azalo is grabbed by Lotte and ordered to the back, escorting him to the curtains before returning. AJ Knight gets into the ring and the trash talk between the two ramps up.
BRIAN SHELZI
These two met in the first round of the Hijo Invitational this past December, I think Jin Hirai put up a hell of a fight and knowing this wild dude has long as I have... he's got an axe to grind about it.
Indeed, the collar-and-elbow tie-up ends with Hirai up against the ropes. Thomas calls for a clean break and AJ does, but Hirai slaps him upside the head. AJ takes it and smirks, but Hirai claps him with a second one! AJ instinctively ducks away, allowing Hirai to deliver a one handed facebuster into the mat! The ZERO-G takes full advantage, hooking his legs around AJ's arms while seated on his upper back/neck. Hirai dives forward and begins smashing AJ's head into the mat with the... well, Skullfucker as Alex Shelley called it. After a half a dozen, Hirai rolls AJ onto his back and tries to reach for the legs but is only able to secure one.
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2-NO!
Hirai untangles himself, but grabs hold of AJ and drags him to the corner where Hirai tags in MEZA. MEZA jumps in and grabs the disoriented and humiliated AJ, pulling his leg out from underneath him...
DRAGON SCREW!
MEZA keeps hold of the leg and tries for a kneebar!
...
AJ grabs the ropes quickly!
MEZA releases the hold quickly, standing up before trying to drag AJ back into the centre of the ring. AJ gives him a boot to the face for his efforts, sending the cruiserweight champion careening into enemy territory! Kalidah and Nizbel are on opposite sides, grabbing an arm as Lotte yells to Pulver to get in and attack him. Pulver shakes his head no, which gets Lotte's ire up and the sensational and scary manager of Kalidah and the Herkmen gets up on the apron and right in his face. MEZA is released and AJ grabs him from behind, lifting him up in an atomic drop! MEZA is sent back into enemy territory where Kalidah slams him head first against the top turnbuckle. AJ grabs him in a rear waist hold as he comes stumbling back out...
GERMAN SUPLEX!
He tries to bridge it, but MEZA sort of lands on AJ's head and it doesn't work as planned. Nonetheless, AJ goes for a traditional cover but it gets broken up immediately by Ultimo Pollo IV! UP4 stomps on AJ a few times, buying MEZA some time to roll out of the ring. AJ scurries away, trying to find safety in the neutral corner but Pollo leaps onto the second rope and gets the crowd chanting along as he tries give him ten shots upside the head! Referee Tubby Thomas is the party pooper, telling UP4 at six that he needs to get down or he's going to be disqualified. AJ uses this chance to grab him in a powerbomb-like position and drops him head first across the top turnbuckle! AJ grabs him and rolls him up!
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3-YES! Newton's save is too late!
MASON MARVELLE
Ultimo Pollo IV has been eliminated!
AJ Knight rolls out and the crowd pops as Kalidah steps through the ropes. MEZA once again tries to jump into the ring, but Hirai and Lynx grab him and refuse... but poor Orville Newton is left to the wolves. The Brains seems transfixed, or compelled to compete against the Dark Stalker... and walks right into a kick to the gut! Kalidah laughs as he grabs Orville's mask and headbutts him! Newton falls back into the ropes and Kalidah slowly steps to him, blasting him with a knife edge chop! He knees him in the gut and then shoots him into the ropes. On the return, Kalidah goes for a lariat but Newton ducks and grabs the arm! He tries to apply a double chickenwing, but Kalidah overpowers him - backing him up against the turnbuckles with authority! Kalidah calls for a teammate and exits the ring, Nizbel hurriedly gets in the ring but can't intercept Newton before he makes the tag!
SAM HEWITT
Listen to this crowd! MEZA is back in!
MEZA gets back in and grabs Nizbel, putting the Herkman in the worst corner possible. He kicks him in the midsection a few times as his teammates back up, showing referee Tubby Thomas there is no outside interference. MEZA turns around, creating some distance and gives a quick greeting to his opponents before charging in with a hesitation dropkick! MEZA rolls away as Nizbel staggers out, falling to a knee. MEZA comes back, hoists him up into the air...
KALIDAH ATTACKS HIM FROM BEHIND!
Nizbel is saved, rolling out and the two captains are now the legal men. Kalidah attacks MEZA with some clubbing blows, then hoists him up...
CHAOS DRIVER!
The Northern Lights Bomb connects and Kalidah covers his foe!
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2...
KICKOUT! Lynx tries for the save, but doesn't need to make it. He returns to his corner without further incident. Kalidah pulls MEZA up and reaches over, tagging in Nizbel. He applies an abdominal stretch and the Cursed Emerald bounces off the ropes and drives both knees into MEZA's exposed sternum! Kalidah throws MEZA to the mat and orders Nizbel to tag in AJ Knight, who isn't enthused by the whole thing but does it anyway. He drags MEZA into the middle of the ring and tries to apply a single leg crab, but the cruiserweight champion delivers an upkick that sends AJ flying backwards. MEZA scurries to his feet and AJ rushes him, MEZA tries for a hip toss but Knight jumps up and turns it into a DDT! The crowd's shocked reaction says it all!
AJ covers!
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3-NO! Newton breaks it up!
Newton returns back to his corner as AJ gets to his knees, noticing Matt Pulver has a smirk on his face. Knight gets all kinds of fired up, trading words with his rival and current partner in this contest. Kalidah drops off the apron and takes a walk as Lotte begins admonishing both men, Nizbel repeating her words and both men completely ignoring the two. AJ gets up in Pulver's face and slaps him! The crowd oohs as AJ demands Pulver show everyone if he can do it better! MEZA crawls over and tags in Jin Hirai, as Pulver climbs in and AJ exits. Knight starts heading up the aisle, but Lotte is in hot pursuit. She spins him around as the camera switches back to the ring. Pulver is fired up by the slap, ducking behind Hirai after a lock-up and ripcords him right into an elbow strike! Hirai crumples and Pulver covers!
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3!
MASON MARVELLE
Jin Hirai has been eliminated!
Kalidah's laugh echoes after AJ Knight's exasperated retort is heard throughout the venue.
SAM HEWITT
As Hirai is helped from the ring, it's 4 on 3 in favour of Kalidah's team. Kalidah, Pulver, Knight and Nizbel against MEZA, Lynx and Orville Newton. And remember, this bout can end at any point if Kalidah or MEZA are pinned, submitted, knocked out or disqualified.
Lynx comes in and the aggression is still present in Pulver, but the veteran arm drags the Swede to the mat! Pulver gets back up and a low dropkick from Lynx puts him on the mat! The Tijuana, Mexico native quickly grabs Pulver's arm and the crowd remembers...
LA MAGISTRAL!
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3-NO!
BRIAN SHELZI
Pollo Dorado II was undefeated in Pollo Road up until last June when that man and that very hold pinned him to take the lead in their best of three falls bout, but lightning didn't strike twice for Lynx, Sambo.
Nizbel gets in and grabs Lynx, attacking him with knees and clubbing forearms. Pulver gets up and shoves Nizbel away, asking what he's doing. Lynx makes the tag to MEZA, who tells Lynx to follow him. The duo spin both Pulver and Nizbel around and Irish whip them to opposite corners, then indicate what they plan on doing! An Irish whip from each side unites them momentarily in the middle of the ring as Pulver and Nizbel collide! Nizbel is kicked out of the ring by MEZA, who then works to pull Pulver up to his feet. He hoists him up onto the top turnbuckle, then tries to set up for the crucifix. Referee Tubby Thomas grabs Lynx and orders him out of the ring, allowing Kalidah to dash across the apron in a rare moment of rapidness and mists MEZA!
BRIAN SHELZI
No mask to save the champ now!
Indeed, MEZA goes down clutching his eyes and referee Tubby Thomas turns around knowing full well what happened but can't call it. Lynx hops off the apron and rushes around, grabs Kalidah's foot and yanks him down! The two start fighting again while Pulver untangles himself and MEZA wipes the mist out of his eyes. Orville Newton looks incredibly torn as Matt Pulver adjusts his footing, balancing himself on the top rope with his rolled ankle still clearly annoying him. Newton clutches his head and darts across, but AJ Knight grabs his foot and trips him - knocking him into Pulver!
SAM HEWITT
Oh no!
Pulver falls off the top turnbuckle and out on the floor, crashing into the edge of the timekeeper's table. Newton and AJ stop their tussle, AJ's "oh shit" expression turns into a shrug as he leaves Orville be and walks off Newton jumps down off the apron and checks on Pulver, as Dr. Nick Pierson and stage hands quickly rush to the scene. Kalidah and Lynx are still fighting, MEZA is still struggling to regain his vision...
DIVING HEADBUTT FROM NIZBEL!
MEZA is dazed by the shot, Lotte is shrieking at her loyal servant as he yells "FINISH!" repeatedly in response. He grabs MEZA...
CANADIAN DESTROYER!
He covers!
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3!
MASON MARVELLE
The captain has fallen! Ladies and gentlemen, the winners of this bout - Matt Pulver, AJ Knight, Nizbel and Kalidah!
Lotte gets in the ring and grabs her Herkman, "YOU DID IT!" is repeated by Nizbel as Azalo dashes down to help congratulate his partner.
SAM HEWITT
A huge win for Nizbel, who I'm sure is next in line for a cruiserweight title shot after that. It will be an interesting bout if it happens, Azalo fought MEZA in the first round of the Hijo Invitational so despite them being tag specialists, they do have a scouting report already on the champion. Hang on, my colleague here went to check on the situation at ringside... Brian?
BRIAN SHELZI
...is this on? OK, good. I don't know, Sam, Pulver took a bad fall and hit the table pretty awkwardly. A lot of times in wrestling the fighters aim for the middle, if you're going to be forcefully put through one then you try to minimize the damage you take from the impact. Pulver hit the edge where the legs are, so there's not much give and he came down fast. I hope he's OK.
Security is working to separate Lynx and Kalidah while AJ Knight stands in the aisle, overlooking the scene with Matt Pulver - Orville Newton has his hands over his head, looking down at his mentor.
