Now it’s time for our next match, which I’m reliably informed will be the main event for the first TV broadcast! Will Hardaway live up to his word from earlier tonight? Should Hope be worried about a rampaging K-Hard?
Kevin Hardaway vs. Hope-Marie Osborne
The Code of Respect is not followed by Kevin Hardaway who is moaning to the referee about his choice of opponent, so Hope shakes the hand of the referee instead, getting a loud cheer from the Blackburn fans for doing so.
We open with a lock up and a clean break. Hardaway starts the match trying to learn how to adapt to Hope but doesn’t know what to make of her at first, you can tell he doesn’t want to be facing a woman making her debut. Hardaway catches Hope’s leg off a kick and tosses it to one side, but Hope blocks the clothesline that follows and gets a dropkick on the former two time GFC Champion.
Hope gets a boot up in the corner and Hardaway catches it, but Hope then elevates herself up and slams the leg down taking Hardaway down as well. That was pretty unique.
Hardaway seems fired up by that, connecting with a neckbreaker to get the first pinfall attempt of the match. Hardaway in charge now. Running knee to the side of Hope’s head in the corner gets another 2. Snapmare and a chinlock from Hardaway, but the audience claps Hope to her feet. She’s punching Hardaway and trying to mount a comeback.
Mrs Osborne goes for a middle rope moonsault to the standing Hardaway, but Hardaway drops down and Hope eats knees! Hardaway had that one scouted well but Hope gets snake eyes! Slap! Slap! Rollllllling ELBOW!! Pele kick in the middle of the ring on Hardaway!! 2 count. Good series of moves there from Hope, rocking Hardaway and almost picking up the win.
Hope gets another boot up in the corner but Hardaway ties her up in between the ropes. German suplex on Osborne gets 2! He goes for another suplex…Hope’s out and SUPERKICK! Hardaway gets to the ropes to stop the pin attempt. Hope charges with spinning heel kick in the corner and Hardaway moves. Hope’s hanging up top and Hardaway has her up into a torture rack position while on the turnbuckle! TOP ROPE ASYLUM BOMB!!! And this one’s all over!
Your winner, Kevin Hardaway!
Hardaway with a strong display and one hell of a finish. Hope will be feeling that one for quite some time, I can assure you. After the match Hardaway got on the mic and shouted out some abuse to Scott Mayo for his booking choices. After the night was finished Mayo came and found me, telling me that the second TV taping will be topped off with a MASSIVE title match as CJ Osborne defends against Kevin Hardaway AND Gabriel Gambino! That is, of course, if the Champ gets passed tonights opponent…