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Duskfall Jan. 5, 2020
Open
- This show has a solid theme song.
- Cool to have a new commentator on board, and helps make this feel like a different show. And I like the name Olivia Itō.
- A subtle jab at Jeffrey right from day one is what I imagine will become a rite of passage for all future additions to commentary.
Hazel vs Moxie
(Obviously, the match format here is a short summary version. Accordingly, my comments will be a bit more brief.)
- I like playing Hazel and Moxie off each other whenever I get the chance. Not a proper feud, just something in these two that feels like opposite sides of the same competitive coin. Aggressive and agile, just at different angles.
- The kick-out was a surprise. Neat little signature showcase kind of match, condensed may it be.
Chris Crow HOF announcement
- Adding this in here to say it's cool to see another familiar classic competitor is getting inducted this year, and it's the original Custom Cup champ himself, no less! The title that got me on my way.
McGroin vs Zephyris
- Basically what one would expect from a singles match involving Zephyris. Barely even noticed that it was just a summary. 😋
Alexandre HOF announcement
- And another familiar name from back when! I remember this guy was absolutely on fire in '06.
White interview/Hardcore title change
- I really do love how much of a dickhead Valentine is. It takes so little effort for him to rile people up, it's just second nature.
- In turn, I'd not want to be the one taking that kind of chance within choking distance of White.
- *And* we have a new hardcore champion in Zak E. Justice! I bet his reign will be long and memorable.
- I like how Crowe figures his job is done, then ends up being addressed by Freight Train and has get within arm's reach of the man after what just happened. I'd probably be looking like a deer caught in headlights, too! I like this little bit that White has to say here, it's simple but very in keeping with his character and determination. Solid little seg overall.
Swamp Folk video (again)
- I admit, some time ago I spent waaay too long trying to decode this mystery. I'm content to just wait it out now, heh.
Soul Survivor Round 1
- Didn't quite see Cain's choice of partner coming, but the second I heard the motivation behind it, all became clear.
- Always enjoy an out-of-nowhere Dragon Rage elimination in this type of match.
- Cain going off on Kiko with closed fists is just par for the course by now, mindless violence and taking advantage of every opportunity/stip/etc isn't shocking anymore; it's all about how far he's willing to take things, and the mentality behind it all. You know you've transcended the status of "nasty fucker" and graduated to "what the fuck even?" when even Bonham is taken aback!
- Senecca'a dropkick = bit of a pop from me.
- Low bridge is such a simple but classic battle royal play. Nice callback by Itō on commentary re: Umbra, too.
- Elimination of Simtul was pretty cool, I liked that little sequence. Then the immediate follow-up elimination of SS. Good pacing.
- Some solid commentary re: the history between the members of the final two teams, and about Tommy.
- I like to imagine that Avada Kedavra as being very sudden, kinda like Tommy walked right into it and it was one fluid motion.
- Popped for Tommy eliminating Bonham! Then Cain gets Tommy, but White gets Cain. Fun, frenetic action.
- And it's all capped off with Cain and Bonham being sour bastards, going off on The Plane Train (White and Tommy need a tag name, heh) with steel chairs.
- The very end there kinda confused me. Is Cain trying to test Bonham's limits, so to say? That's how I interpteted it. If I'm right, then Bonham definitely wasn't picking up what Cain was putting down. (Or slamming down, more accurately.)
Post-match Sery/Cain segment
- ... not to say Bonham is all that fussed, and now here he is drinking it all in as Cain digs into the GM. Spot-on.
- And an ominous statement that rustles Sery's feathers is how the show wraps up. Good stuff.
Conclusion
- So yeah, this is an interesting new format. It feels like sort of an expansion on the old house show concept.
~☆~☆~Pronouns: she/her/hers~☆~☆~
~☆~☆~4CW Grand Slam Champ~☆~☆~
Open:
Didn’t see the commentary change coming, but like Paige said it makes it feel like a truly different show. And besides, how often do new NPCs get introduced?
I love the win/loss record idea as well. I’ve noticed I can’t help but look for it now.
Hazel vs Moxie:
Interesting matchup here. Coming just after War, but with the feud allegedly ending. To be honest, it’s interesting with everyone involved because they were fighting each other for so long and boom it’s over. Where do they go now? Who sticks with who? Who rises? Who falls? Who disappears? And who is repackaged? This match made me feel like this show was a Post Wrestlemania Raw. That’s def a nod to how great the feud was.
“cheating at every opportunity but escaping punishment, and generally being a dick.”
LOL…...Valentine’s kinda girl
I would have bet money that Hazel would have taken this one, but she seemed a bit lackadaisical and it could have cost her. She turned it on when she had to and snuck out the victory. I wonder if that’s just how this match went or if Hazel is one of those competitors where when she truly tries, she’s a force to be reckoned with. Very intriguing opener.
McGroin vs Zephyris:
It's a really good idea to do short matches this way. It’s really not worth telling a story in a match like this, but it’s such a better option than a squash. Newly crowned 4CW Custom Cup Champion Phil McGroin gets a nice win and Zephyris really didn’t look that weak at all. A hard fought win. Two guys get some air time. What more can you ask for from a paragraph!
White interview/Hardcore title change:
Any time this kinda thing happens, it brings me back to the attitude era a bit, makes me laugh and hits me with nostalgia. Valentine is written perfectly btw lol. I am surprised White didn’t exploded after losing the Hardcore Championship with Valentine watching.
However, Brian White is a beast and usually acts wild like one. But a calm, cool, and collected beast with a brain is even more dangerous. White seems much more focused and truly has his sights set on the Tag Team titles. This Soul Survivor is going to be interesting. There’s like 4 legit teams that I could see winning and so much prestige has been brought back to the Tag division.
Swamp Video:
It was fun looking for clues and trying to figure it out. I’m completely clueless unless it’s the Swamp Thing with some Hillbillies…….
Soul Survivor Round 1:
This was fun to read. I loved that we jumped into the action and got a quick elimination. This read pretty well, really flowed for the mayhem that took place and while it was longer, given the match it was good for this show format.
Some pretty nice spots too. I imagined Senecca double drop kicking Rhys and Bonham, each with a leg and it just made me chuckle. Some pretty cool swift eliminations.
Commentary was on point again, I think Paige said it best and I have in the past. The history between all the tag teams and members was great.
The Black Flame teaming up was key, I expected it but it was also done properly. Seeing the other guys momentarily team up was nice too. But on that same subject I wanted, I expected, to see White and Elfan have a moment. And I guess the viciously closeline does count for something and this is a minor show, but after War I want answers!
Solid win for Young and White, but Rhys and Bonham really leaving their mark. I can see some real bad blood brewing and even teams that don’t make it to the finals could still see some fallout that maybe could lead into something else? Maybe, maybe not. Either way it’s just another factor to keep it all interesting. Great job, this was truly fun.
Post-match Sery/Cain segment:
Rhys and Sery tensions heating up much? I like how Bonham is so chill about Rhys’ actions. Curious to see how he will be going forward. Is he along for the ride or does he have more sinister intentions? Or is he here to just complete the Grand slam??
And who or what is the ace up Rhys’ sleeve??
Hall of Fame Inductees:
I’m loving this HOF class. Some OG guys getting the love they deserve, Chris Crow was a long time coming. Alexandre was unstoppable for quite awhile. Awesome!
Format:
I love it, it’s perfect for advancing storylines, some lost segments, getting some lower card guys some ring time. It just checks a lot of boxes that Storm Front and lack of more full shows miss. And honestly the shorter match concept makes reviewing a piece of cake!
Former 4CW Champion
4CW Hall of Fame Class of 2019
4CW 2019: Champion/Wrestler/Moment
4CW Duskfall
January 5, 2020
Live from Royal Albert Hall - London, England
Att: 4,922
We cut to the most iconic venue in London, the Royal Albert Hall, to a raucous crowd, as the Duskfall theme song "Ties That Bind" by Alter Bridge plays through the PA system. Once the camera have had their fill of the crowd, the familiar head voice of the commentary team come into play.
Phoenix: Ladies and gentlemen, WELCOME to 4CW DUSKFALL! A new monthly show coming to you only from the best wrestling promotion on the planet! I'm Scott Phoenix, joined as ever by Ray Jeffrey, and it is my absolute pleasure to announce our third team member, making her debut here in 4CW, Olivia Itō!
Itō: It is my absolute pleasure to be here, Scott, even if I do have to sit next to Ray.
Jeffrey: Hey!
Phoenix: I think you'll fit right in, Olivia! Tell us a little about yourself.
Itō: I was born in Osaka, Japan but moved between Japan and America since I was a child, due to my father's work as a wrestling promoter. I have a degree in journalism and I have been commentating on the independent circuit since 2015. I cite both you, Scott, and of course, James Roberts, who is not here tonight, as great inspirations.
Jeffrey: What about me?
Itō: Uh - you certainly, in a way, taught me the correct way to present myself as a commentator.
Phoenix: *chuckles* Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we have a treat in store for you. Why don't you tell them about it, Olivia?
Itō: Absolutely! In our main event tonight, there will be an eight-team battle royal, in the first round of the 2020 Soul Survivor tournament! We know seven of the teams, including the 4CW Tag Team Champions Silent Sorcery, but we've had no word of who the mystery eighth team are!
Phoenix: But coming up next, we have singles action! Let's kick off 2020 with two of the most talented women in the industry!
"Break and Dominate" by The Charm The Fury hits the PA system. The crowd erupt in boos as the Black Flame member, Erica Moxie, steps out on to the stage.
Carson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, representing The Black Flame, from Omaha, Nebraska, weighing in at 147lbs, ERICAAAA ... MOXIE!!
Moxie marches down to the ring with a face of intensity.
Phoenix: Erica Moxie is looking to start the year strong with a victory over the former Custom Cup Champion tonight!
Itō: And she has beaten Custom Cup Champions in the past, which could bode well for her!
"Inked in Blood" by Sigh hits the PA system. The crowd cheer up for the former champion as Witch Hazel steps out through the curtain.
Carson: And her opponent, from Everywhere... and NOOOOOWHERE, weighing in at 128lbs... WITCH ... HAAAAZEL!!
Hazel jumps up on to the ramp barricade and runs down, but does it gingerly and grabs her ribs halfway across.
Phoenix: Here comes Witch Hazel! And it should be noted that both Moxie and Hazel are beat up from the WAR match just six days ago!
Jeffrey: But if I know Hazel like I do, she won't let a broken body stop her from winning this match!
Witch Hazel (0-0) vs Erica Moxie (0-0)
With Erica Moxie coming off a loss at WAR, she is especially furious in this match and dominates the early going with vicious strikes, cheating at every opportunity but escaping punishment, and generally being a dick. She takes out Witch Hazel with a body slam and a spinning back elbow but is only able to get a two count. After a quick back and forth, Moxie takes out Hazel with a Cutter, but again only gets a two count. Moxie tries to put away Hazel with the Nebraska Slam, but Hazel reverses it into a sunset flip and gets a near fall.
Hazel gets into the match a little more, moving Moxie around the ring and taking her out with corner clotheslines and dropkicks. A few forearm smashes and a follow up of a somersault leg drop gets Hazel a near fall, but Moxie hangs in there. Hazel takes out Moxie with a Boomstick for another near fall. Hazel then sets up for the Nilswitch, but Moxie escapes and rolls into an Omaha Slicer. Moxie follows up with the Moxie Massacre DDT, but Hazel amazingly kicks out at two.
Moxie pulls Hazel up and attempts to set her up for the same move again, but Hazel manages to get a cradle going, taking Moxie by surprise and getting the 1...2...3!
WInner by pinfall: Witch Hazel @ 7:11
"Numb" by Linkin Park hits the PA system. The crowd boo as the 4CW Custom Cup Champion steps out on to the stage.
Carson: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Helston, England, weighing in at 14 stone, he is the NEEEEW 4CW Custom Cup Champion... PHIL ... MCGROOOOIN!!
Phoenix: Of course, at Storm Front: WAR III, Phil McGroin managed what many thought unlikely! He defeated Tommy Young, winning the 4CW Custom Cup Championship. He is yet to decide his stipulation, but I have been informed that we will likely find that out on this month's Storm Front, in a few weeks.
Jeffrey: And whatever he picks, he will likely remain undefeated! I hope it's a Chairs match!
"Black Flame" by Bury Tomorrow hits the PA system and out comes Zephyris. The crowd give him a moderate amount of boos, and start to cheer McGroin once they realise his opponent is even worse.
Phoenix: And his opponent, representing The Black Flame, weighing in at 205lbs, ZEPHYRIS!!
Zephyris makes his way down the ramp, gets in and motions to McGroin that he wants that belt. McGroin laughs at him and flips him the bird, handing the title to the ref for this non-title match.
Phil McGroin (0-0) vs Zephyris (0-0)
McGroin and Zephyris go back and forth pretty evenly to start the match, but eventually McGroin outsmarts The Black Flame member and takes him out with some power moves, including a snap suplex, a hip toss and finally a T-Bone suplex. Zephyris makes a temporary comeback with some impressive strikes, including a Superman punch which gets a two count, but McGroin manages to reverse a second attempt at a Superman punch and hit the Eggcution DDT for the win.
Winner via pinfall: Phil McGroin @ 4:36
We cut backstage to Gabriel Crowe.
Crowe: I'm standing by with 4CW Hardcore Champion, Brian White! Now Brian, I understand you're going through it a bit, what with the unsuccessful attempt at the 4CW World Championship at WAR, but tonight, you have a new goal: the Soul Survivor tournament. Where is your head at?
White: Let me tell you something, boy-o, I am ready to go. Tommy Young and I both had a rough December, but tonight, the road to redemption begins, and I -
White stops talking and looks ahead. Jack Valentine is standing there, with the 4CW Championship on his shoulder.
Valentine: That's the spirit, Brian! Don't get yourself down! You were just in the ring with the superior man, you have nothing to be ashamed of!
White closes in on Valentine, with a dangerous glare.
White: The only reason your face isn't pummelled into the floor is I know you're just being your usual self. Keep gloating, Jackie boy. One day, you'll get yours. Maybe it'll be someone else... but just maybe, it'll be me.
Out of nowhere, a figure appears and White is pulled from behind. There's chaos, with the camera shaking, then we see a referee count 1...2...3!!
Zak E Justice pops up out of the chaos, having taken the 4CW Hardcore Championship from White! He grabs the belt, and sprints away, "yahoo!"ing as he goes! Valentine, who watched it all unfold, bursts out laughing.
Valentine: Yeah... good luck with that, chump!
Valentine saunters off with the belt. White recovers from his embarrassment and looks furious. Nevertheless, he stands up. Crowe looks to leave but White stops him.
White: Don't go just yet, Gabriel. This interview isn't over.
Crowe just stares at him.
White: Well, what's your next question?
Crowe: Um... you just lost the Hardcore title, are you OK?
White chuckles.
White: Oh, I'm fine. Valentine probably saw him sneaking up on me and intentionally caused the distraction. And I'm not gonna stand her complaining about it, but the way he retained the title at WAR basically defines him. An opportunistic weasel. That's fine. I've learned patience over the years, and revenge is a dish best served cold. For now? The Freight Train and Top Gun have a Soul Survivor to win, and 4CW Tag Team Championships to add to our legacies. So, excuse me, Gabriel, because it's time for the best tag team in the world to entertain the 4CW Universe.
Carson: It's time for our main event of the evening! This is the first round match in the 2020 SOUL SURVIVOR TOURNAMENT! The following contest is a TAG TEAM BATTLE ROYAL! The rules are simple: individuals are eliminated when they are thrown over the top rope and both feet touch the floor. Once both individuals in a team have been eliminated, that team is eliminated. The first two teams to be eliminated will also be eliminated from the tournament. The remaining six teams will battle it out and the winning team will decide the stipulation for the second round, on this month's Storm Front!
"Eternal Lotus" by RUDE. hits the PA system.
Carson: Introducing first, from Osaka, Japan, weighing in at a combined weight of 332lbs, they are the 4CW Tag Team Champions, OKI KIRA ... TSUKIKO MIZUNO ... SILEEEEENT ... SOOOORCERY!!
"Black Flame" by Bury Tomorrow hits the PA system.
Carson: Next, representing The Black Flame, weighing in at a combined weight of 530lbs, GARRET FISCHER ... BRUCE RIGG ... THE LIBERAAAATION!!
"Taking You Down" by Egypt Central hits the PA system.
Carson: Next, from New York, New York, weighing in at a combined weight of 485lbs, ELFAN SIMTUL ... MAXIMILLIAN YESGILL ... UMBRAAAAA ... MAXIMAAAA!!
"Cowboys From Hell by Pantera hits the PA system.
Carson: Next, from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, weighing in at a combined weight of 496lbs, JASON AND ROBERT ... MURDER OF CROOOOWS!!
"Roadgame" by Kavinsky hits the PA system.
Carson: Next, from London, England, weighing in at a combined weight of 454lbs, DEVON DRUMMOND ... REUBEN KOJO ... SYNTH CITYYYYYY ... THRILLERS!!
“Head like a Hole” by Miley Cyrus hits the PA system.
Carson: Next, weighing in at a combined weight of 570lbs, SENECCA ... DIRK MEYER ... S AAAAND M!!
"Wherever I May Roam" by Yashin hits the PA system. Out comes Brian White and his tag team partner, who else, but Tommy Young!
Carson: Next, from Barry Island, South Wales, weighing in at a combined weight of 595lbs, the team of BRIAN "THE FREIGHT TRAAAAAAIN" WHITE ... and TOP GUN ... TOMMYYYYY ... YOUNG!!
Phoenix: So now we have all seven teams in the ring, but who is the mystery eighth team?
"As I Am" by Dream Theatre hits the PA system. The crowd leak poison into the air as they boo and hiss at the arrival of Rhys Cain.
Itō: Cain? What is he doing out here?
Cain steps out on the stage with a big shit-eating grin on his face.
Carson: Next, introducing one half of the final team, now residing in Tampa, Florida, weighing in at 225lbs, he is THE BLACK FLAME ... RHYS ... CAAAAAIN!!
Cain: Many would ask me, Cain, why are you standing out here with a huge smile on your face after the Order of the Phoenix and Carstein defeated you less than a week ago? Well, the reason for that is simple. I am free. Madeline Phoenix will forever be grateful to our encounters, I imagine. She evolved emotionally and spiritually and when you think about it, it was all down to me. Like I've always said, I only ever do the right thing. So why am I out here now? Well, I was thinking when Sery announced the Soul Survivor was for the Tag Team Championships this year, that I, as a former Soul Survivor winner no less, would be a sure-fire entrant.
The crowd boo, but Cain ignores them.
Cain: You see, believe it or not, in my Hall of Fame career, I have never captured the 4CW Tag Team Championships. In fact, they are the ONLY championships I have not captured in 4CW. If I become tag team champion, I would also become a Grand Slam Champion; the true, crowning achievement. But for that, I needed a partner. The Liberation are a unit, and are already in this tournament, so they weren't an option. Erica Moxie, she's a warrior, but she has no interest in tag team gold at the moment. She wants to propel herself in her singles career, and I respect that. My last option was Zephyris. The natural choice, right? My own brother... but honestly, I didn't want to put that kind of pressure on him. It's my duty to protect my little brother, not use him to achieve my goals. So I thought outside the box, and I found myself a partner...
Cain pauses for dramatic effect, but the crowd just continue to boo.
Cain: This partner of mine is almost my double. He, too, is a 4CW Hall of Famer. He, too, has captured every championship in 4CW except the tag team belts. He, too, is looking for that Grand Slam achievement. We have never teamed together in the past, so prepare to see something brand new, something that will change the course of 4CW's tag division forever... ladies and gentlemen, my partner...
Cain steps to the side and raises his arm to the stage.... ""3s & 7s" by Queens of the Stone Age blasts through the PA system. In spite of their own hatred towards Cain, the crowd can't help but pop at the appearance of the 4CW Hall of Famer!
Jeffrey: WOW!
Itō: This is one incredible statement of intent by Rhys Cain!
Carson: ... and his partner, from Death Falls, Nevada, weighing in at 231lbs, 4CW HALL OF FAMER ... CLYDE ... BONHAAAAM!!
Phoenix: Well, I must say, this is an earth-shattering team of high magnitude! What a shocker! We could be looking at our favourites to win this first round here, if only for the surprise factor they have!
Jeffrey: What a moment! Duskfall is quickly cementing itself as a staple of 4CW in my heart!
Roberts: Keep in mind though, Cain is only five days removed from a hellacious WAR match! He can't be 100%!
Soul Survivor 2020 Round One
4CW Tag Team Championships
Silent Sorcery (c) vs The Liberation vs Synth City Thrillers vs Umbra Maxima vs Murder of Crows vs S&M vs White & Young vs Cain & Bonham
The start of the match is absolute chaos. Bodies fly everywhere, fists thrown and heads spin, people tumble and fall and lean on the ropes. The first semblance of any sort of order sees Cain take out Devon Drummond with a Dragon Rage and dump him over the top rope, while Kojo is distracted with Bonham!
Phoenix: Drummond is out already! But remember, Synth City survive until both members are eliminated!
Jeffrey: Yeah, now Kojo has to go through this entire match by himself!
Itō: But if Kojo can survive until just two teams are eliminated, he will be able to ensure Synth City advance to the next round!
Kojo hits Bonham with some mean strikes, including a spinning back fist which rocks him. Suddenly, Cain calls over the ring. Fischer and Rigg of The Liberation instantly pounce on Reuben Kojo. Kojo takes out RIgg with a superkick, but then Cain leans down and hits Kojo with a low blow!
Phoenix: Of course! What more could I expect?! Cain has his lackeys and is blatantly playing foul!
Kojo goes down. While Liberation get into a fight with Murder of Crows and move away, Cain and Bonham grab Kojo and dump him over the top rope!
Carson: Synth City Thrillers have been eliminated!
Phoenix: And with both men eliminated, Synth City are out of this match - and out of this tournament!
Itō: They under-achieved here, even if it wasn't their fault. This is the kind of loss that could haunt you if you aren't quick to deal with it.
Phoenix: Well, for tonight at least, they are done!
White and Young are in separate corners of the ring, White fighting Simtul and Young fighting Yesgill. The Liberation work together to take down both members of Murder of Crows with DDTs, and then get up, only to be swarmed by S&M, who take them down with clotheslines. Jason Crow recovers and stumbles into the centre of the ring, but falls right into the lap of White, who had just suplexed Simtul. White lifts Jason up into the air with his arms stretched, then leans over the rope and dumps him to the outside!
Jeffrey: There goes Jason Crow!
On the other side of the ring, Young takes down Yesgill with a hurricanrana. Robert Crow catches Young off guard with a clothesline, but he doesn't notice White stalking him from behind. White grabs Robert and yanks him over the top rope, where he falls and lands on top of Jason.
Carson: Murder of Crows have been eliminated!
Phoenix: And there we have it, Murder of Crows are out of the tournament too! That means these remaining six teams advance to the next round!
Itō: But that doesn't mean they have nothing to fight for now, as the winner of this match chooses the stipulation for the next round, where another team will be eliminated!
Cain and Bonham are now working in tandem with The Liberation to dominate the ring. Tsukiko and Oki-Kira become cornered by the four of them, and decide that it's time to fight their way out. Kira and Kiko go nuts with a series of fast strikes, where Fischer gets knocked out with a swift kick to the chin from Kira and Kiko manages to take out Cain with a brutal forearm, but soon the numbers overcome them, and when Cain recovers from the strike, he grabs Kiko by the face and brutally rams his fist into her face several times, from close range! Kiko's nose bursts out with blood and she collapses.
Phoenix: That's disgusting! Give the woman some damn respect as a fellow competitor!
Itō: I don't think Cain has respect for anyone in that ring, including his allies.
For a moment, Bonham looks... perplexed, but then he grabs Kiko and tries to eliminate her. Suddenly, Senecca and Meyer are on the scene and having seen what Cain did, they fly into the battle. Senecca drops Cain with a huge standing, running splash. Meyer ducks under a clothesline from Bonham, and drops him with a superkick. Meanwhile, Kira recovers from the assault and pulls Kiko aside to tend to her. Fischer recovers and sees his leader and Bonham in trouble and jumps in, taking out Meyer with a blindsiding punch. Bonham recovers a little too and grabs Meyer, and hits the Wham, Bam, Thank You Mom!
Phoenix: Reverse uranage from Bonham after Fischer made the save!
Bonham grabs Meyer and throws him over the top rope, and he crashes to the outside. Cain, Bonham, Fischer and Rigg all surround Senecca, who prepares for a four on one mauling, but suddenly S&M are back on their feet and they even the odds! Senecca runs with Kiko and KIra and all three of them hit dropkicks on their opponents! Senecca takes out both Cain and Bonham with his dropkick!
Itō: Wow! We knew Silent Sorcery could fly but Senecca showing his agility and athleticism right there!
Senecca grabs Fischer and dumps him over the top rope, eliminating him! Senecca then goes for Rigg, but Cain recovers and grabs Senecca, hitting a Side Effect! Senecca tries to get back to his feet, but his opponents are now ready. As Rigg and Bonham take out Kiko and KIra, Cain takes out Senecca with a Dragon Rage, which topples Senecca over the top and out of the ring!
Carson: S&M have been eliminated!
Cain, Bonham and Rigg stand tall see Silent Sorcery recovering in the corner, but also see Umbra Maxima getting to their feet and looking like, actually, they were simply playing possum to bide their time. The two of them face the Cain and his two allies. Then, just as it looks like all hell will break loose, White and Young are also up and standing alongside Maxima!
Phoenix: Well, this is an unlikely alliance! I doubt it'll last!
Jeffrey: Yeah, Simtul basically handed White to Valentine at WAR, so White won't be keeping Simtul on his side for long!
Umbra Maxima, Brian White and Tommy Young run towards The Black Flame and Clyde Bonham. Among the chaos of the four on four brawl, Elfan Simtul roars as he lifts Rigg on his shoulder and hits the Shadow Hammer!! Rigg falls into the ropes, and a quick clothesline sends him out of the match!
Carson: The Liberation have been eliminated!
Jeffrey: Half the field is gone and we're down to four teams! The champions Silent Sorcery, Umbra Maxima, Cain & Bonham and White & Young!
Phoenix: Only one of these teams can go into the next round with the advantage of choosing the stipulation, however!
White attempts to clothesline Cain over the top rope and does so, but Cain clings on to the rope and remains on the apron. White is distracted as Bonham hits him with some clubbing blows to the back, so White turns around and swats him away. Yesgill sees Cain on the apron and runs towards him, but Cain is ready, and he drops the top rope, sending Yesgill flying over and crashing to the outside!
Itō: Elfan Simtul will have to go the rest of this alone. Let's not forget the last time Maxima were split in a tag team match like this, it cost them the 4CW Tag Team Championships!
At this point, Oki-Kira is back up on his feet. Kiko is still pretty beat up, but she remains in the corner, recovering, and largely unnoticed by everyone. Kira runs into the fray and sees Simtul leaning on the ropes. Simtul doesn't notice as Kira lifts him up and attempts to tip him over the rope! No!! Simtul finds his feet and fights back, clubbing away Kira. Kiko is back on her feet now and she runs at Simtul, jumping in the air for a hurricanrana! But Simtul holds steady with her weight, not allowing her to complete the move. He then lifts her up into a powerbomb position, and throws her outside of the ring, where she lands on top of Senecca!
Phoenix: And just like that, Simtul has significantly helped his chances! What a counter!
This seems to be one moment of luck and/or skill too much for Simtul though, as he is suddenly blindsided by a Kado Kick from Oki-Kira. White then appears out of nowhere, and blasts Simtul with a VICIOUS clothesline that sends him flying over the top rope!
Carson: Umbra Maxima have been eliminated!
Kira barely has a moment to be acknowledge what happened, as suddenly, Brian White takes him out with a BIG BOOT! Kira stumbles to his feet and White takes him out with another clothesline over the top rope!
Carson: Silent Sorcery have been eliminated!
Phoenix: Wow! What a message sent to the tag champions by Brian White there!
Itō: Silent Sorcery have progressed to the next round, but you would think they would have wanted to win this first round, if only to prove they are the biggest threat!
Phoenix And just like that, we're down to two, somehow complete, teams. Brian White and Tommy Young vs Rhys Cain and Clyde Bonham!
The two teams slowly make their way to the middle of the ring in a face-off. White looks dangerous, Young looks full of adrenaline. Cain and Bonham look confident, but tense. There is a buzz in the air that words can't describe.
Itō: And there's a lot of history between these teams! Fans of 4CW will remember all too well Bonham's feud with White over the Universal Championship a couple of years ago. Cain of course, has history, and a shared heritage, with White and Young, all of them being the most fierce Welshmen on our roster.
Jeffrey: Tommy Young was recently Custom Cup Champion, vying to beat Rhys Cain's record as longest-reigning champ. He didn't quite make it that far, but a win over the Hall of Famer here in this match would be a great way to prove he's on his level.
Phoenix: On all these levels, we should say, since Tommy Young is currently sharing the ring with three hall of famers.
And then, for as long as the tense stand-off is, it is over in a split second. Bone hits fiesh and flesh hits bone as the four of them collide in a flurry of mayhem. Cain finds a bit of space and grabs Young. He flips into the air, taking Young with him, hitting the Avada Kedavra!!
Phoenix: AVADA KEDAVRA BY CAIN!
Cain gets back to his feet - BAM!! BIG BOOT FROM WHITE!! Cain goes down to the mat. White grabs him, but Bonham is there and he kicks White, in the knee, before taking him out with a DDT! Bonham grabs Young and drags him to his feet! Bonham takes him to the ropes and tries to throw him over, but Young still has some fight left in him! Young manages to somehow scissor his legs around Bonham's head and suddenly, tips him over and throws him out of the ring!
Phoenix: Amazing! Tommy Young just eliminated Bonham!
Young barely has time to climb back up on to the apron, when Cain runs over with a forearm that smashes him in the face and he falls off the apron! Young crashes to the mat, but immediately after this, Cain turns around and steps RIGHT INTO A RUNAWAY TRAIN SPEAR from Brian White!! Cain is crumpled!! White picks him up and dumps him over the top rope!!
Carson: Cain and Bonham have been eliminated! Here are your winners, TOMMY YOUNG ... and BRIAN "THE FREIGHT TRAAAAAIN" WHIIIITE!!
"Wherever I May Roam" hits the PA system again. The crowd roar as Young slides back into the ring and White helps him to his feet. They celebrate together, and seem genuinely proud and happy at their hard-earned victory.
Phoenix: It's been a hell of a first round, and Brian White and Tommy Young have made a hell of a statement winning it! They move on with the other five teams to the second round, and they get to decide what the stipulation for that round will be, where one more team will be eliminated!
Itō: What a thrilling affair, and this was only the first round! We say goodbye to the Synth City Thrillers and Murder of Crows, but we have six other, hungry teams waiting to prove their worth in the remainder of this tournament.
Jeffrey: And that's exactly - hey, what's this?!!
Suddenly, Cain and Bonham are back in the ring! White and Young have no idea that they are there, nor that they are carrying steel chairs until BAM! BAM! BAM! A series of chair shots from both Cain and Bonham take down White and Young. The crowd boo and boo and boo. Cain ignores them, spits in the direction of White and Young, then drops the chair and leaves the ring. Bonham does the same.
Phoenix: What the hell?! Sons of bitches!
Bonham continues to walk up the ramp but Cain stops. Bonham doesn't notice at first but when he does he turns around and shoots a glance at Cain. Cain looks at him, then turns back to the ring, and marches back down there! Bonham raises and drops his hands, exasperated and watches as Cain gets back into the ring, grabs a chair, and smashes both White and Young in the back one more time for good measure! Then, he drops the chair again, leaves the ring, and storms up the ramp, leaving Bonham trailing behind, wondering what the hell that was all about.
Phoenix: Well, let's not let those pricks take away from this victory for White and Young! They are our true winners tonight, ladies and gentlemen!
Post-match, we cut backstage, where Cain and Bonham are walking through the curtain. They are hurting from the match. They stop when Cain meets Sery in the hall. Sery looks at him with intensity, before speaking.
Sery: It seems you've been busy...
Cain: Busy advancing to the next round of the tournament.
Sery And attacking the winners post-match. I suppose that makes you feel big, does it?
Cain: You know what, Sery, it kinda fucking does. Anyway, the board aren't too happy with you, are they? I heard about that fiasco, with Jack Valentine and the illegal fan event.
Sery scoffs.
Sery: It's funny... when The Consortium told me to announce an eighth team for the tournament, I thought they would have picked a tag team that were a bit more, you know... experienced.
Cain looks at Bonham, who is resting against a crate, enjoying it all unfold. Bonham shrugs as if to say "this is your business."
Cain: If they didn't tell you who the mystery team was, maybe you aren't as close to the board as you think you are...
Cain strolls off, and Bonham follows. It takes a moment for Sery to register what Cain said. He turns around and shouts...
Sery: What?
Cain: Goodniiiight.
Cain turns a corner with Bonham and Sery is left looking frustrated and perplexed, as the logo appears in the bottom third and we fade to black.
Thanks Taker_2004 for the banner!