Ole McDonald vs. Kenchi Yamamoto
The show was due to start with McDonald and Yamamoto in a Chivalry is Dead match. McDonald had been taunting Yamamoto for the past two months and now Kenchi had the chance to face his foe in the ring. This was set to be the first of our three big Grudge matches here tonight!
Kenchi made his way to the ring to a great reception, He waited patiently for his opponent but McDonald just didn’t show up.
Eventually Scott Mayo made an appearance and apologised to Kenchi and to the crowd. He said that Ole’s behaviour over the past two months has been unacceptable, showing a blatant disregard for the Code of Respect. Plus with his no show tonight FRONTIER has taken the decision to fire Ole McDonald!
The crowd were disappointed that the match wouldn’t go ahead, and while Kenchi was visibly happy to see the back of McDonald he also seemed frustrated that his match was off. But that frustration passed when Mayo declared that Yamamoto would instead be entered into the Battle Royal match!
Kenchi Yamamoto vs. Caylen Collye’ vs. Echo vs. John Empires vs. Joel Hall vs. Mark Evil vs. Rock ‘n Roll God vs. Dave Spikey
And then it was time for said Battle Royal. The winner of this match is guaranteed second seed in the GFC Invitational Tournament, with the draw being made on Tuesday night. So it’s a massive incentive to all competitors to win this match.
With Kenchi already in the ring the other seven men made their way to join him. One of whom was a previously unannounced participant, “The Betamax Kid” Dave Spikey. Spikey has not been seen since our preview show and may not be seen again any time soon as he unfortunately became the first person eliminated after being clotheslined over the top rope by Kenchi Yamamoto. Spikey landed on his head on the floor and had to be helped to the back.
Things weren’t much more favourable for Rock ‘n Roll God who was soon on the end of a John Empires clothesline that dumped him over the top rope and out of the match! Empires then was set upon by Mark Evil and Joel Hall, both spotting an opportunity to dump out the veteran. But Empires stood his ground and traded punches with both men as he stopped them from eliminating him.
Over the other side of the ring Collye’ was locked up with Echo while Kenchi Yamamoto looked on. Collye’ nailed a neck breaker on Echo and Yamamoto followed up with a seated senton to the masked man. Echo got up holding his ribs and Yamamoto went for a big kick. Echo almost stumbled over the top rope but managed to rebound and went for a clothesline on the big Japanese star. But Kenchi saw it coming and soon took Echo down with a big powerslam. Collye’ took advantage as he laid the boots to Yamamoto. Kenchi got back to his feet and a big clubbing blow sent Caylen flying. Echo was back up and leaped up onto the back of Yamamoto, wrapping his arms around his neck in a sleeper. Yamamoto fell backwards, squashing Echo in the process.
Empires was still brawling with Hall and Evil and when Hall went for a clothesline Empire spotted an opportunity to back body drop him over the ropes. Hall held on but Empires nailed a hard right hand that sent him crashing to the floor. Evil tried to take advantage but Empires saw his dropkick coming and swatted him away. He pulled Evil to his feet and tossed him into the corner where he tried to push him over the top, but Evil was holding on for dear life.
Echo was up against the ropes himself as Yamamoto tried to lift him over. Collye’ then tried to eliminate both men but Yamamoto proved too heavy and too strong. Yamamoto managed to bang both mens heads together, sending them crashing to the mat.
Empires gave up on eliminating Evil and instead grabbed Echo as he got back to his feet. He tossed him into the ropes, clotheslined him and then threw him over the rope like it was easy. Another elimination! Collye’ charged for Empires but again the veteran spotted the move coming and before he knew what was going on Collye’ found himself over the ropes and on the ring apron. Empires nailed a baseball slide to send him crashing to the floor and out of the match!
Yamamoto applauded the efforts of Empires who seemed to smile back at the star from the orient. The crowd were certainly getting behind him.
Mark Evil tried to jump Yamamoto and catch him by surprise, which almost worked. A reverse DDT was followed by a clothesline that had Yamamoto stumbling back into the ropes. A dropkick should have sent him over but Yamamoto stood firm and Evil couldn’t believe it. It got worse for Evil as Empires caught him from behind with a stiff lariat. One swift suplex later left him hanging over the top rope and a dropkick was all it took for Empires to make yet another elimination!
Yamamoto now looked concerned as he and Empires were the final two men in the match. The two locked up and Yamamoto won the battle for strength, getting Empires into a front face lock and then down into a submission hold, designed more to wear his opponent down than make him tap. Empires was slowed, he was visibly struggling to get out of the hold. But he drew some strength from somewhere as he fought his way back to his feet. The two traded blows again before managing to pull off the double arm DDT. Empires had rocked the big man and as Yamamoto got back to his feet Empires struck.
With Yamamoto on one knee and his head at the perfect level, Empires got him into a standing head scissors, grabbed his trunks and nailed the Stump-Puller Piledriver. Yamamoto was dazed and after a brief struggle to pull him to his feet, Empires pushed him up against the ropes. Yamamoto got a burst of energy as he went for a clothesline to save himself, but Empires ducked it and lifted the big man onto his shoulders. Empires then stunned the crowd as he flipped Yamamoto over the top rope with a variation of the Babylon Falls to win the match!
Your winner, John Empires!
As Empires celebrated and the crowd cheered his name Alan Galpin, chair of the GFC Championship Committee, came to the ring. He congratulated Empires and officially announced that John Empires will be the number two seed when the GFC Invitational Tournament is drawn this Tuesday night!