Alright, fine, I fucked up. Fuck pictures, fuck music, fuck Razmatazz, I wrote a fucking card.
For the GWA Openweight Men’s World Championship
“The American Dragon” Bryan Danielson © vs. “The King of Bros” Matt Riddle
Since 2009, one man has been synonymous with the Openweight Championship. That man is the American Dragon, Bryan Danielson. Throughout his tenure in the GWA, but especially during his reigns as World Champion, Danielson earned the crowd’s respect and adulation with his unparalleled technique and intensity, and his willingness to face all different styles of wrestlers all over the globe, proving himself to be a true World Champion. In fact, before his temporary retirement forced him to vacate the belt in late 2016, he was in the midst of a two-year reign as champion. He returned earlier this year, however, at the Japan Supershow in January, and defeated [Redacted] to reclaim the title he never lost at Superbrawl XXVIII in February. After three successful title defenses at Uncensored, Spring Stampede, and Slamboree, Bryan seemed poised to continue his long and triumphant reign as GWA Openweight Champion, but another young lion has stepped up to claim leadership of the pride.
Matt Riddle was brought into the GWA in 2016 as part of Chris Hero’s Strike Squad and was heralded as the Crown Jewel and a future World Champion. However, despite a tag title reign with “Filthy” Tom Lawlor and a reign as North American Champion, not to mention only a handful of losses, Riddle never seemed to get any closer to a coveted title shot. In time, he seemed to realize that the entire reason for Strike Squad was to protect Chris Hero’s reign as World Champion. So, once Hero lost the title to [Redacted], Riddle led a violent coup against his former teacher and claimed leadership over the Strike Squad. After a #1 contender’s victory over Jon Moxley, Riddle is poised to finally claim his destiny. Will he rise to the challenge? Or will the King be burned by the Dragon’s flame?
“I have all the respect in the world for a two-sport athlete like Matt Riddle. But he doesn’t have the experience, doesn’t have the endurance, and he just doesn’t have the skill to compete at my level yet. Someday he will, no doubt about it, but this is still my day.”
“Man, Dragon needs to shut the f*ck up. I’m bigger than him, I’m stronger than him, and I’m better than him. This is my day. I’m gonna go in the ring, destroy him, take the Openweight title, and prove to everyone that G-W-A is B-R-O.”
Moxley’s Bloody Past Comes back to Haunt Him!
No Holds Barred Match
“Relentless” Jon Moxley vs. Nick “F*cking” Gage
Since debuting in the GWA in 2011, Jon Moxley has always captivated the GWA Faithful. With his combination of technical skill, wild brawling, and rugged intensity, not to mention his charisma and threshold for pain, he truly has earned the title of “Relentless.” Whether loved or hated by the Faithful, Moxley has always had their tremendous respect. But one man does not respect The Relentless One. Someone who knows him better than anyone in the GWA.
In May of 2018, it happened. The signing no one thought they’d ever see. Nick Gage, a man as synonymous with ECW as Sabu, Raven, The Sandman, [Redacted], [Redacted], and The Necro Butcher, made his GWA debut. A man whose arrest record made many think he was unhirable by the GWA. Yet still, he arrived at Slamboree, bashing a bundle of light tubes over Moxley’s head en route to Riddle’s contendership win. Considering Moxley and Gage’s history in ECW, with the pair spilling each other’s blood all across the country as enemies and even teammates, this probably shouldn’t be surprising. The two then fought many times in the arenas and the parking lots before Moxley demanded that Gage be given a GWA contract. Now both men will lock up for the first time in a GWA ring in what promises to be one of the most violent matches in company history.
“Jon Moxley ain’t sh*t. I went to prison for seven years, and you know who was there when I got out? Not Jon f*ckin’ Moxley, that’s who. The motherfucker left me to die and went for the big money. Well now, I’m the one makn’ the big money. And I’m gonna make sure Jon Moxley never gets his hands on gold again. I’m gonna send you six feet in the f*ckin’ ground, Jon. I’m gonna send you to f*ckin’ hell. And remind you, and show all these p*ssy-ass motherf*ckers why I’m the Man, the King, the God of this sh*t.”
“I felt bad for Nick when he went to prison, I really did. He was a desperate man cryin’ out for help. But I’m not his f*ckin’ keeper. The guy tried to kill me like, fifty times. One time he put a grocery bag over my head. C’mon. But, hey, welcome to the big time, Nick. Enjoy it while it lasts. ‘Cause you pissed me off. And it looks like you forgot what happens when you do that. So I’m gonna have to remind you. And all my fans in the GWA are gonna learn. This ain’t fun an’ games Jon Moxley. When that bell rings, you’re in for some serious sh*t.”
For the GWA Women’s World Openweight Championship
“Inevitable” Ronda Rousey © vs. “The Pirate Princess” Kairi Hojo
For three years, there has only been one Women’s World Champion. One woman who has left a trail of broken bodies, spirits, and dreams in her wake. That woman is Ronda Rousey. Initially taking the nickname “Rowdy” after the legend of squared circle and silver screen Roddy Piper, one year into her reign the two-sport superstar changed her nickname to “Inevitable” because “That’s what I am. My hand raised, my name called, my opponent a broken woman. Inevitable.” When Chris Hero was assembling his Strike Squad in 2016, Ronda Rousey was his first choice. No one has ever come out of a title match with Ronda Rousey the same.
But one woman is different from the rest: Kairi Hojo, the Pirate Princess. Having only recently come over from Stardom in late 2017, the Joshi Sensation has quickly enthralled the Faithful with her upbeat energy, relentless optimism, and incredible in-ring ability. Getting her first title shot against Ronda at Starrcade last year, Kairi has come as close as anyone has to ending Rousey’s monolithic reign. And though she was defeated, Kairi didn’t give up hope and has worked her way to another title match tonight. Will Kairi be able to pull off the impossible? Or is it just Inevitable?
“Why the hell is Kairi getting back in the ring with me? What’s wrong with her? Doesn’t she remember the beating I gave her last time? The beating I give everyone? This isn’t a fairytale. Nothing’s changed. Nothing will ever change. This time, I’ll break her arm. I’ll break both her arms. I’ll hold this title until I retire, and there’s nothing anyone can do about it!”
“Ronda Rousey very angry. She needs to be happy! Maybe being champion makes her angry. I help her! She says she’ll break my arms. That’s okay. I just kick her and win!”
His Quest Begins to Kill What He Created!
“Pinpoint” Chris Hero vs. “Walking Armageddon” Lashley
Attitude aside, there can be no disputing that Chris Hero is one of the greatest GWA superstars of all time. He boasts a wide variety of abilities, from strong-style strikes, European grappling, and even Lucha Libre quickness, but it was his striking game that brought Chris Hero true success, initially earning him titles such as “That Young Knockout Kid” and “The King of the KO.” In the summer of 2016, Chris Hero created the group known as Strike Squad, a stable comprised of those he thought best represented his ideals, and at GWA Summerslam, they helped him to become a three-time GWA Openweight World Champion. However, when he lost the title to [Redacted] at last year’s Halloween Havoc, he snapped and berated his stablemates, leading to Matt Riddle attacking him and leaving him in a bloody heap. No one had seen or heard from Chris Hero for six months before he made his return only weeks ago. A changed, humbled man, Hero admitted he had done wrong by his stablemates, but more importantly by the entire GWA. “But I’m going to get better. And it starts with knocking out that smug sunnuvabitch Matt Riddle!” With his World Title match on the horizon, however, Riddle had other plans, and put a 6’3”, 245 pound roadblock in Hero’s way.
Initially a star of Hogan’s HWF and later Shane McMahon’s TNA, the decorated amateur wrestler Lashley made a foray into MMA before being courted to sign with the GWA. Few men in company history have been as dominant as the athletic freak from Junction City, having only lost a handful of matches in his four-year career in the GWA, never being knocked out or made to submit. It was obvious to anyone why Chris Hero would have chosen this man as his enforcer, but now he has the unenviable task of conquering that which he had initially chosen because he was unconquerable. Will “Pinpoint” land the perfect strike? Or will his dreams for revenge be destroyed before he even has the chance?
“I know I was wrong. I was greedy, and arrogant, and manipulative, and even a little lazy. But my time away has allowed me to clear my mind and refocus my energies. I’m coming back to GWA in a big way and I’m coming back the right way. I’m sorry, Bobby, but you’re in my way”
“F*ck Chris Hero. I’ve been waiting to kick his ass for two years.”
For the GWA World Tag Team Championships
Talkin’ Shop (“Good Brother” Doc Gallows and “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson) © vs. LAX (Angel Ortiz and Mikael Santana)
Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson don’t play nice. They bend, and even outright break, the rules. They’re rude, crude, and slightly offensive, but the Faithful have fallen in love with them throughout their Tag Team Title reign. By hook or by crook, they’ve held onto their gold through some incredible matches and have labelled the entire GWA roster as various kinds of “Hoot”, and have called the Faithful their “Good Brothers and Sisters.” But the good times might soon be over.
The newest members of Matt Riddle’s Strike Squad, LAX might not have much in the way of shootfighting or amateur credentials, but they make up for it with a smashmouth style, explosively athletic and innovative offense, and attitude. These two young guns have carved their way through the tag team division and are poised to bring gold back to Strike Squad in their first big dance. But do they have enough dirty tricks in their own arsenal to counteract the veterans?
“These young buck Hoots don’t intimidate us. Punk-ass big-hair Hoot and a duck-face-havin’ Hoot. We’ll take these punks to school and then celebrate with a dirty thirty of Nattie Lite, which is way better than that Patron crap.”
“And after we beat the crap out of these punks so bad the mamacitas’ll know ‘em for the scrubs they are, I’m gonna go home and celebrate with my #HotAsianWife. Too sweet!”
“F*ck Anderson, F*ck Gallows! This is our time and those are our belts! The tag titles are comin’ home to the Strike Squad, and there’s nothing you or your sh*tty American beer can do or it!”
“Orale, vato! We’re the best of the new breed and tonight we prove it!”
His Spot in Strike Squad is in Jeopardy!
“Filthy” Tom Lawlor vs. Kazushi Sakuraba
Initially brought into Strike Squad as the tag partner and buddy of Matt Riddle, Filthy Tom Lawlor can be an elite-level competitor… when he wants to be. But his “filthy” ways of showboating, dirty tactics, and for lack of a better term “screwing around” have gotten under the Strike Squad’s skin. It was fine enough when Hero was leading the charge, but with the regime change, certain slights have not been forgotten. First, there was his causing himself and Riddle to lose their tag team titles to [Redacted], and his failure to win the rematch. Then, his failed interference cost Matt Riddle the North American title. Most recently, he not only lost the North American title to Keith Lee, but failed to make weight to compete in the Junior Heavyweight Battle Royal. Needless to say, Matt Riddle has decided Lawlor is on thin ice.
“You’ve got one more chance to get your sh*t together, bro,” Riddle warned him, “And you gotta beat this guy.” “This guy” turned out to be former PRIDE and UFC Heavyweight Champion, as well as former AJPW Triple Crown Champion, Kazushi Sakuraba. One of the most feared competitors in pro wrestling and Mixed Martial Arts, “Filthy” Tom will have his work cut out for him if he wants to keep getting his cut of the Strike Squad merch checks.
“Am I intimidated by Sakuraba? Not really. Am I afraid of him? Hell no. He’s, what, 100 years old? I’m gonna pass Matt’s little test with flying colors and then everyone’s gonna love me again. No one can keep up with the filthiest man in wrestling, especially not that old f*cker.”
(Translated from Japanese) “I have no problem with Tom Lawlor. I saw an opportunity to come into the GWA and prove that I’m still an elite-level competitor and that I can be a World Champion. Lawlor’s just the first step in my w– Wait. He said what? Oh, he’s going to die.”
For the GWA North American Heavyweight Championship
“Limitless” Keith Lee (166-0) © vs. Daisuke “Superman” Sekimoto
Since debuting at Starrcade 2016, Keith Lee has been a veritable force of nature. Along with his natural and undeniable strength and power, he also brings an astonishing athleticism for a man his size that allows him to do moonsaults, hurricanranas, and Tope Con Hilos, he’s been unstoppable, racking up a winstreak the fans have taken notice of. After defeating Tom Lawlor for the North American title and dealing the first real blow against Matt Riddle’s Strike Squad, his popularity has only soared. But, if he wants to hold onto his title and his streak, he’ll have to overcome his biggest challenge yet.
The Reigning AJPW Triple Crown Champion, Daisuke Sekimoto, is one of the strongest men in wrestling history, if not the strongest man on Earth. He’s called “Superman” Sekimoto, and for good reason. He may be one of the only men in wrestling who can throw Keith Lee around the way he throws around other people. Not only that, but in his five previous appearances here in the GWA, he has never been pinned or submitted. Now he’s returned to take the North American Heavyweight title. Will anything be left standing when these two titans collide?
“I don’t sweat Sekimoto. Sure, he’s never been defeated here, but he’s been beaten elsewhere. He’s never been here when I’ve been here. Because he’s seen me and he knows what I can bring. He’s not ready for me. I’ve never been beat. Period. And when the dust settles and the bell rings, just like everyone else, Sekimoto will have to Bask in My Glory.”
(Translated from Japanese) “I feel bad for Keith Lee. I really do. I just hope he’ll have a reason to keep living after I take everything away from him. I want that title. I’m going to take it. That simple.”
For the GWA Junior Heavyweight Championship
“King of the Skies” Samuray Del Sol © vs. “Textbook” Tyler Bate
“Sensational”, “Spectacular”, “Incredible.” These are just a handful of the words used to define the reigning Junior Heavyweight Champion, Samuray Del Sol. With his breathtaking acrobatic ability and innovative lucha libre offense, many are heralding him as the greatest Junior Heavyweight of his generation and the best luchador since Rey Misterio, Jr. With constant impressive in-ring performances, it’s hard to disagree with them. There seems to be almost no limit to the Chicago Native’s athletic capabilities. On this night, they’ll truly be put to the test.
For weeks, video packages aired highlighting the impending debut of the 21-year-old prodigy, “Textbook” Tyler Bate. The young man, who promised to wrestle with honor, integrity, and true British pride, made his debut in the Junior Heavyweight Battle Royal as a surprise entrant after Tom Lawlor failed to make weight. He wrestled cleanly and fairly throughout the match, shook Shane Strickland’s hand when it came down to the two of them, and even seemed disappointed at how he won when he realized Low Ki had a hand in Strickland’s elimination. But when Samuray Del Sol got up from commentary to shake the hand of his new opponent, Tyler Bate hit him below the belt and choked him into unconsciousness with the towel he’d brought down to ringside, standing over his fallen foe with the Junior Heavyweight title held high. Decrying the unfairness of the history of Junior Heavyweight title, Tyler pointed out that Tom Billington put himself into a wheelchair to define the Junior Heavyweight style, but Tiger Mask gets all the credit, and no Englishman held the title for more than a decade until Jody Fleisch and Jonny Storm. Tyler has vowed to rectify this indignity and lay the title at the feet of the British Royal Family and King William. Bate is stronger than Del Sol and ten years his junior. It will take all of King of Flight’s abilities to hold onto his title.
“That title is mine. I will claim it as my birthright, and the right of the English people. It is my destiny to restore English Honor to the Junior Heavyweight division, and to be recognized as its King! Samuray Del Sol can’t stop me, no one can stop me, and this is my God-Given right!”
“Tyler Bate talks a lot. He may be young and talented, but he doesn’t have my experience. He can’t keep up with my style, my pace. This is, and will always be, the Luchador’s title. The title of Misterio. The title of Guerrero. The title of Psicosis. And the Title of Samuray Del Sol. After The Bash, there’ll still only be one King. The King of the Skies.”
Can the New Sensation Overcome the Returning Ronin?
Shane “Swerve” Strickland vs. “The World Warrior” Low Ki
Debuting just this spring, “The King of Swerve Style” has already gotten the GWA Faithful on his side with a combination of athletic high-flying ability, striking, and mat wrestling. In only four months, many pundits are already declaring him to be the future face of the GWA’s Junior Heavyweight division. And if Shane Strickland has anything to say about it, this certainly will be “Swerve’s House.” One man, however, is not impressed.
There may be no more apt nickname in the history of professional wrestling than Low Ki’s title of “The World Warrior.” Since making his professional wrestling debut, Ki has held not only the GWA Junior Heavyweight title, but the HWF Cruiserweight title, the TNA X-Division title, and the ECW FTW title, as well as the three Junior Heavyweight titles of the major Japanese promotions (NJPW, AJPW, and HOLY Gate [The merger of NOAH and Dragon Gate), the J-Crown, and the EMLL Lightweight title and dozens of Independent Championships across the world. It goes without saying that Low Ki might very well be the greatest Junior Heavyweight of all time and he’s come back to the GWA to claim his gold again. After being eliminated by Shane Strickland in the Junior Heavyweight Battle Royal, Ki has zeroed in on the New Sensation, determining him to be “unworthy” of competing in “His” division. Shane Strickland has been given this opportunity to prove himself to both The World Warrior and to the handful of the Faithful who have yet to be impressed by his abilities. Now it’s up to him to rise to the challenge.
“Who in the hell is Shane Strickland? What has he done, where has he been? Nobody, nothing, and nowhere. He doesn’t blink, he doesn’t breathe, and he certainly doesn’t contend for a title unless I say so. This punk thinks he belongs in my division? We’ll see about that. I’m the God of this division, Shane, so your soul and your ass belong to me!”
“I’m gonna kick Low Ki’s ass, plain and simple. I’ve got nothing to prove to him, but if he really wants it, that’s what he’s gonna get. And he’s gonna learn, whether he likes it or not, that the sport is passing him by. He’s Rickson Gracie, yeah, but I’m Johny Hendricks. And I’m gonna kick his head right off.”
