2013, a new year and a new direction for Pro-Wrestling FRONTIER. With Matt Montell in charge, Kevin Hardaway gone and the return of Alex Jones and Jay Pride, what does 2013 have in store? Well the fans who made their way to the Liverpool Olympia got the first glimpse of the “new” FRONTIER!
Even though this show was without Kevin Hardaway, Ethan Albright, Hugo Strange, Bushido and Max Violence the fans packed the Olympia for the start of a new year of wrestling from everyone’s favourite wrestling company. We’re hoping that most of those names will be able to return for our next show, we’ll obviously let you know as soon as possible.
The usual pre-show meet and great was a small and casual affair this time out, which the guys seemed to love. And then we got underway with the show as CJ Osborne came out to address the fans.
— VIDEO —
“Bullett Proof” by 12 Stones fills the arena, prompting the fans to cheer as the former GFC World Champion, CJ Osborne, steps through the curtain. CJ slaps a few hands as he makes his way to the ring with a microphone in his hand.
CJ: It’s been forty two days since I have stood in a wrestling ring. Forty two days since Maximum Violence tried to end my career. Forty two days since Alex Jones came down, and for a lack of a better term, saved my ass. I know that Alex has since said he didn’t do it because he cared about me, which is perfectly fine. When it happened I assumed he had his own selfish reasons. However, I owe you one either way.
CJ: The time has come for me to get back to what I do. To get back in the ring and start the task of earning a shot at the GFC World Championship. Unlike some people I will not be waltzing back into town demanding a match I haven’t earned. That said, it’s only a matter of time before I stand across from whoever is the champion. Be it Gabriel Gambino or someone else. I just finished second place in two major categories for the 2012, and to be perfectly honest I am pissed about it.
CJ: The time has come to put to rest any question about the legitimacy of my career. As much as I hate these stupid clichés that guys throw around that this’ll be my year, but this time around it fits. You’re all on notice and it starts in 210 weeks when I return to the ring.
— / VIDEO —
Well, first off, it’s good to see CJ back up and walking again. And hopefully he didn’t really mean 210 weeks… that’s like, what, four years? He means days? Shit, that’s still seven months. Well whatever, he’s on the road to recovery and that’s the main thing.
Next up was an unexpected match between two of FRONTIER’s Enhancement talents.
The Betamax Kid vs. Blood Tiger
These two had both had singles losses at the hands of Ethan Albright at the end of last year, and again in a triple threat match. Tiger shows no regard for his opponent, as is common for him, as he attacked “The Betamax Kid” Dave Spikey before the bell, completely ignoring the Code of Respect. Not that he ever has done, mind you. I think both these men are pissed that they lost to a rookie, but they needn’t be. Albright’s got talent and could go far in FRONTIER.
Betamax Kid kicked Tiger as he charged in the corner. Spikey drilled him with a kick to the face. Tiger went for a leapfrog but Betamax Kid took his leg out in mid-air. Tiger went to the outside and Betamax Kid chased him. Hip toss onto the floor followed by some boots to the head. Spikey dashes back into the ring before connecting with a tope suicida to the floor. The two battled on the outside for a while and Tiger suplexed Spikey over the rail into the first row. Tiger dove off the top rope into the crowd. That was bat-shit insane!
Tiger dragged Betamax Kid back to the ring and began doing some fancy dancing kicks. Spikey caught him in a leglock. Tiger escaped but was caught in a rolling cross armbreaker. Tiger muscled out of the move and slammed Betamax Kid into the turnbuckles. Betamax Kid nailed a DDT for a two count. They exchange strikes in the middle of the ring. Betamax Kid hit a windmill kick and Tiger took a spinning bump out of it. They battled on the top turnbuckle. Betamax Kid went for a rolling crossarmbreaker, but Tiger used the momentum to roll through and catch him in a pinfall for the win!
Your winner, Blood Tiger!
At last a win for Blood Tiger, but Dave Spikey’s run of bad luck continues here in FRONTIER.
Before our next match we had a couple of visitors to the ring…
— VIDEO —
As generally happens on one of our shows, we’re getting interrupted by something which seems to be unscheduled. The song (Girls Aloud’s “No Good Advice”) is new to FRONTIER… but the face isn’t! There’s a pop as Leanne Evangelista steps out onstage. She has Laurel Anne Hardy in tow. Evangelista’s not dressed for fighting – she’s in jeans, trainers and a plaid shirt. Laurel’s wearing a flower print bodysuit and a feather boa, and colourful, stencilled makeup, Also, she’s barefoot. They head down to the ring, slapping some hands along the way, and the music dies.
Evangelista: Hello Olympia!
Hey, why fix what’s broken? She gets another deafening cheer.
Evangelista: You might’ve noticed us hanging out with Jay Pride these last couple o’ shows. But why should ‘e get all the fun? Myself and my friend here have an announcement… but first I think introductions are in order. Now you should know who I am – Evangelista, 2011’s Breakout Star of the Year, finalist in the first ever GFC Invitational.
Yaaaay! etc.
Evangelista: An’ now, allow me to introduce to FRONTIER… my tag team partner!
She hands the mic over.
Laurel: You should know who I am as well, if you keep up with the cutting edge of wrestling style. I am the living, breathing, avatar of excitement in this ring. More bang for your buck, more grams for your ounce, more flips for your flounce. I am the most unmissable installation event in this or any other medium, and I go by the name of Laurel Anne Hardy.
The fans who know her pop. Those who don’t seem uncertain about her.
Laurel: Kameron Chase, Max Static, V, Kaji Fireson, Sah’ta Thor, Troy Gafgen, Wilde Tanke, Reaper, Brittany Lohan – that’s just a brief sample of the old masters I’ve knocked off since I started makin’ my art. You might have seen the special exhibition where I took none other than former GFC World Champion Jackson to his limit in a thirty minute showcase of verité violence in a weapon-lined steel cell.
Okay, that gets some noise, as the FRONTIER fans know The Mechanical Animal is far from a pushover.
Laurel: And like my good mate Leanne here said, I’m here in FRONTIER to assist her in the glorious, noble art of tag team wrestlin’. But what’s that you cry? There’s no Tag Team Championship here in FRONTIER? How right you are. And me and Evangelista… we’re gonna do some’n about that.
She passes the mic back.
Evangelista: Last week, former FRONTIER guest star Mr. Rottentreats issued an open challenge, along with his WARPED Tag Team co-Champion Doug Fresh, for every team in the business. Any tag team ‘oo can beat The Carnival Connection get a shot at the WARPED Tag Team Championship. And the first team to try their hand… well, you’re lookin’ at ’em.
Another huge cheer goes up!
Evangelista: Representing FRONTIER, Evangelista and Laurel Anne Hardy travel to WARPED on the twenty-fifth of January to face The Carnival Connection. We WILL win that, we WILL earn a shot at the WARPED Tag Team Championship, and we WILL bring those belts right back here!
She gestures to the FRONTIER ring for another big pop.
Evangelista: Don’t you dare miss it!
They turn away… and then, doing her best Columbo impression, Laurel adds:
Laurel: Oh, and there was just one more thing.
They retake their positions. Evangelista is all SRS BZNS.
Evangelista: Roundabout one year ago I was scheduled to compete for this company, right here in this very building… about fifteen minutes’ drive, maybe twenty at the most, from the building I was born in an’ prob’ly half the people here right now were born in.
Referencing her hometown status gets her another cheer.
Evangelista: …that match never happened, because me an’ Jay got attacked backstage before the show began. Combined effects of that an’ another attack around the same time, from Bobby Mercer an’ Christian Cross in CWF, meant I had to miss weeks an’ weeks to heal up. Over a month of my career, gone. Over a month of my LIFE, gone.
She pauses for a moment and takes a controlled breath, not wanting to work herself up too much.
Evangelista: Turns out it was Dexter Davis who did it – except Dexter was just the hired goon, wasn’e? Behind it, an’ all the other attacks from around that time, was none other than Alex Jones.
Alex’s name receives a mostly positive reaction, which she doesn’t look too happy about.
Evangelista: He never really did explain why he was behind all that. Just took off for a few weeks instead, then came back claimin’ to be a changed man. To be honest, I reckon he was prob’ly sore at gettin’ his arse whooped by a girl in 2011’s GFC Inviational. But… I wanna hear his side of the story, an’ I can’t think of a more fittin’ place than right here in the Olympia.
Cheap pop!
Evangelista: I know you got a match with Gambino to prepare for tonight, Alex, but even so I think it’s time you an’ me had a talk, face to face, so get on out here.
She paces back and forth, waiting to see if Alex Jones will accept her call-out… after a few moments the Saw theme hits followed by Blue Smock Nancy’s “Unsettling Differences”. The crowd pops well to seeing Alex Jones as he stares out at us from under his Killswitch Engage hooded sweatshirt. He makes his way down to the ring and gets in.
Jones: You want an explanation? …alright, I guess I owe that…
Alex looks around with his usual swagger and arrogance.
Jones: I went through a rough patch not that long ago, hell, I missed promotions for this great company, I lost matches I really shouldn’t have, I just didn’t care. So maybe I just lost it a little and lashed out at those around me, and if it’s an apology you’re looking for then maybe I owe you and Jay one… so I just want to say that it wasn’t personal – it was business. I have nothing against you or Jay… but I will say this… now that I’m back and focused… if either of you get in my way… then the sneak attack will seem like a pleasant dream…
Evangelista stares at him, head cocked.
Evangelista: You got a funny way of apologisin’, mate.
She sighs.
Evangelista: But I’m guessin’ that’s as close as we’re gonna get, so… ta, I s’pose? Well I think it goes without saying that any time you’re in the ring with any of us, we won’t be ‘olding back, neither. I mean, there’s only one active title in FRONTIER, so everyone’s got their eyes on it, right? Like you said… nothing personal, just business, an’ against anyone other than us, good luck.
Laurel leans in and moves the mic over to herself.
Laurel: But for the record, yeh? Any more sneak attacks and we’ll MAKE it personal.
Alex and the girls continue to stare down before they go their separate ways, not taking their eyes off each other.
— / VIDEO —
Jones doesn’t seem very contrite to me, and Evangelista doesn’t seem very sincere, but I guess they both have bigger fish to fry, so… is this a weird sort of truce, or are they waiting for the chance to stab each other in the back? I guess we’ll have to wait and see!
And another FRONTIER vs WARPED match officially set – Evangelista & Laurel Anne Hardy vs Mr. Rottentreats & Sir Douglas Fresh! That should be an absolute cracker, I can’t wait, definitely one to check out on DVD when it comes out.
Right, time for our second match of the evening as Christopher Moore makes his FRONTIER debut against the returning Jay Pride and the winner of 2012’s Tom Billington Trophy, Jason Talbot.
Christopher Moore vs. Jay Pride vs. Jason Talbot
The three men stand in the corners of the ring for a while, looking at each other and trying to work out who’s going to attack who first. Jay Pride steps back and allows Moore and Talbot to hook up to start. Moore uses his height advantage to get the better of a test of strength, but Talbot puts his extra weight behind him as he powers back and forces Moore into the ropes. Sal Mancini, referee for this match, tells Talbot to break. He steps back and Moore just slaps him hard. Talbot is rocked by that and stands there moving his jaw before looking over his shoulder where Jay Pride is watching on. Talbot steps aside and motions for Pride to tangle with Moore, which he does. Moore has no height advantage over Jay and again is forced back into the ropes, where Mancini again forces the break. Moore again tries a slap as Pride backs away, but Jay ducks… and Moore connects with Talbot again!!
Big laughs for that from the crowd, and from Pride too. I don’t think Pride meant that to happen, but he sure as hell saw the funny side. But Talbot looks less than impressed as he clotheslines both Moore and Pride over the top rope. He waits in the ring for someone to come back in, and it’s Pride who slides in first. Talbot begins putting the boots to Jay before he can even get up, but eventually the Scotsman does fight to his feet, grabs Talbot and connects with a forearm, an uppercut , a snapmare and a kick to the back. He then staggers back into one of the corners. Moore is in now and spots an opportunity, grabbing Talbots leg while he’s still on the mat and connecting with a knee drop to Talbot’s knee. He follows up with an leg lock but Talbot is into the ropes and frees himself. Just as well, really, that knee’s already taken a battering recently.
The two lock up once more, Talbot whips Moore into the ropes and takes him down with a hip toss. He goes for a Boston Crab but this time it’s Moore who reaches the ropes. Pride, who’d been sat back watching, spots an opportunity and connects with a stiff kick to the head of Talbot while he’s still holding Moore’s legs. He makes a cover but is dragged off by Moore before Mancini can count. Moore lays in some big right hands on Pride, who fails to block fully. A European uppercut sends Jay back into a corner and Moore charges in with a Yakuza kick that connects hard.
Pride rolls out onto the ring apron while Talbot grabs Moore, spins him around and plants him with a DDT. He makes a cover but Moore is out at two. He pulls Moore back to his feet and before he can do anything Jay Pride takes them both out with a springboard double clothesline! Pride acts quickly, Japanese arm drag on Talbot, scoop powerslam on Moore. And then he slides out of the ring again. Interesting tactic from Pride, stay on the defensive, stay out of trouble and pick his opportunities to strike.
But that tactic can’t last forever. And Pride’s time is up as Talbot and Moore both realise what’s going on, and both go for Pride on the outside! Moore goes out of the ring on one side, Talbot on the other, and they close in on Pride. Jay escapes them both by sliding back into the ring, and both men follow. Jay charges at Moore, sliding between his legs and dropkicking him in the back, forcing him to stagger forwards where he collides with Talbot. The pair turn around… DOUBLE WORLD OF SPORT SPECIAL (Rebound Lariat)!! Pride hoists Talbot into the air for a suplex but Talbot gets a knee into the Scotsman’s face and escapes. LAST CALL (Superkick)!! Talbot just takes Pride out of his boots! Pride rolls out of the ring and to the floor, and we’re temporarily down to just two.
Talbot is on a high after that burst, although he does seem to be limping slightly, and ducks a clothesline attempt from Moore. He connects with chopblock to the back of Moore’s leg and gets him set up on the turnbuckle. Talbot is setting up for the Backdraft, I think. But Moore pushes him off and Talbot collapses to the canvas. Moore flies… and double stomps the arm of Jason Talbot! He pulls Talbot to his feet once more. LAST CALL!! Talbot takes Moore down. But before he can make a cover he hears the crowd roar and he turns around… and into WORLD OF SPORT SPECIAL FROM PRIDE! Pride spots that Talbot is favouring the arm that Moore stamped on and sits back, inviting Talbot to charge him. Talbot does, looking for a clothesline. PRIDE GRABS THE ARM… BICEP SLICER!!! Will Talbot tap? NO! Moore breaks it up!
Talbot out to the ring apron to recover now, and Pride looks pissed with Moore. He whips Moore to the ropes, running knee takes him down. Moore fights back, gets Pride into a wrist lock from behind, possibly looking for The Final Solution? But as Moore spins Pride round and goes for the discus elbow Pride manages to duck down and hoists Moore up onto his shoulders. He moves him over his shoulder…. PRIDE EATER (Sitout belly to belly piledriver)!! He makes the cover… one… Talbot tries to break it up… two… but he’s too late… three!
Your winner, Jay Pride!
A winning return for the FRONTIER original, Jay Pride. Quite the match that one, the fans loved it. I can’t wait to see more from all three of these guys.
Before our main event we were paid a visit by the new FRONTIER GM, Matt Montell. He had some interesting things to say, so let’s take a look…
— VIDEO —
FRONTIER’s head honcho, Matt Montell, is making his way to the ring with a microphone in hand. He’s getting a mixed reaction, you could call it lukewarm at best. He climbs into the ring and waits for his music to fade before addressing the crowd.
MM: So here it is, 2013, another year for FRONTIER to kick some arse in! And it’s a fresh start for FRONTIER too; a new look, a new set of stars coming through and a new General Manager at the helm.
The crowd boo that last comment. Montell may only be weeks in the job but he’s already fired one of the fan favourite wrestlers, Kevin Hardaway, which didn’t exactly endear himself to the fans.
MM: This year is going to be the best yet, and that’s saying something after the successes we had in 2012. But 2013 sees a series of iPPV’s, our second US tour, shows in new cities around the country and so much more. And what better way to start the year than with a new talent drive, starting at our next show with our second ever Open House.
MM: We did this about a year ago, and under Mayo it was a moderate success. So I’m hoping this year it’ll be an even bigger and better opportunity for all. So what am I going to do differently? Well we’re going to have a little battle royal, with the winner guaranteed a shot at Gabe Gambino and the GFC World Championship as well as £10,000 in cash! So this is a call to anyone man enough to come to the Fairfields Halls, Croydon on January 27th…
A small “Hardaway!” chant breaks out
MM: …anyone that hasn’t recently been fired by me that is…
Those chants quickly turn to boos.
MM: All you have to do is turn up and you are guaranteed a slot in the match. So what are you waiting for? We’ll see you all in Croydon in two weeks.
— / VIDEO —
Open House 2: Electric Boogaloo! That should be one hell of an interesting night, who could come out on top to earn that shot at Gambino?
Speaking of our champion, he was in action in our main event as he faced off against Alex Jones in a non-title match. Jones has just returned to FRONTIER and has been given this opportunity to prove himself worthy of a shot at Gambino… can he take it? Or can Gabe show that he’s still the best around here?
Alex Jones vs. Gabriel Gambino
The match starts as Jones and Gambino circle, and then Gabe makes the first move. They lock up, Gabe wins the power contest and tosses Jones into the ropes before connecting with a back elbow as he bounces back. Jones shakes it off and connects with some stiff kicks to the thighs of the champ. Gabe grabs the leg and takes his opponent down with a dragon screw, followed by a few stomps before turning to the crowd and cheering himself. Jones back up, charges in with a flying forearm. Leg drop, pin for a one count only.
Jones shrugs, as if to say “worth a try”. Gabe shakes his head as the two hook up once more. Knee to the gut of Jones, and Gabe takes him down with a suplex. Jones is straight back up but Gabe charges and connects with a clothesline, and another. Jones ducks the third. Pele kick. Gabe rolls to the apron, pulling himself back to his feet. Jones moves quick to run to the corner, jump up onto the turnbuckle, hop onto the ropes and fly off, connecting with a dropkick that sends Gabe crashing to the floor!
AJ spots an opportunity and runs to the far side of the ring, looking for a summersault plancha over the top rope? No, he stops himself as he’s about to leap over the ropes and spins back into the ring. Why? Because Gabe is back up and holding a fan from the front row in front of him! Now that’s one hell of a cowardly act… or an act of genius because he did just save his own ass.
Referee Andrew Woodford orders Gabe back into the ring and the Champ obliges, after waiting for Jones to back away a little first. The two circle again for a moment, again it’s Gabe that makes the first move. They hook up again, but this time AJ slips behind and takes Gambino down with a roll-up for another one count. Gabe is looking annoyed now and charges in, connecting with a big lariat. He pulls Jones up and hoists him into the air for a suplex, following up with an elbow drop and a stomp to the arm of Jones. He moves to grab the legs of Jones but AJ nips up into a Hurricanrana… no, Gabe drops and powerbombs Jones to the canvas!! Nice reversal of that surprise move from the champ.
Gambino pulls Jones back up and looks for a suplex again, but AJ floats out before dropkicking the Champ in the backside, sending him into the ropes. Gabe turns and charges, Jones takes him down with a hip toss. He follows quickly with a jumping fist drop, a nip up and a stiff kick to Gabe’s back! That’s the Xtreme Combo! He makes another cover but again Gabe is out quickly, although this time it was just about a two count.
Jones heads to the top rope while Gabe recovers, launching into the air with a cross body. But Gabe has it scouted and turns it into a powerslam! He stays on Jones for the pin but AJ is out at two. Gambino now heads to the top himself and connects with a flying elbow drop. He tries the pin again, but again Jones is out at two. Gabe seems to signal to the crowd that this one is over and he grabs Jones again, dragging him up by his hair which gets him a warning from the referee. He boots Jones in the mid-section, butterflies his arms and looks set for The Fongul… but Jones lifts himself into the air until he’s vertical. He flicks a boot backwards, into the face of Gambino who releases his hold on Jones. AJ falls backwards to the mat, but nips up quickly. He steps up… AJ-Guri! He looks for the Time to Burn (Shellshock) but Gambino pushes him away. LARIAT! Jones spins right round after that one. Gabe picks him up…. TIME TO BURN! Jones pulled that out of nowhere! And a cover… and this one is over!
Your winner, Alex Jones!
And like that Alex Jones just catapults himself up the FRONTIER ladder! What a great match, and one hell of a finish. Surely that has to earn him a shot at Gabe for the title? But what about the winner of Open House? Do we have too many people gunning for the GFC World Championship? Can Gabe keep them all at bay?
Oy, so many questions such little time. That’s us done for this time, make sure you join us at the Fairfields Hall in Croydon on the 27th for Open House!