-NAPW World Championship-
Donovan Astros (c) vs ECFW's Silver Dagger
From Brisbane, Australia - August 7, 2007
SAM JENKANS: The following match is scheduled for one fall, and is for the New Alberta Pro Wrestling Championship!
Alice Cooper POISONNNNNNNN blasts the PA to smithereens and the crowd responds with a chorus of boos.
SAM JENKANS: Introducing first the challenger, weighing in at two-hundred and thirty-four pounds... from Calgary, Alberta Canada... Silver Daaaaaaaggerrrr!
Dagger takes the ring and smirks at the fans. The Brisbane crowd isn't a fan of Silver Dagger. The music changes, Pigeonhed's "Battleflag" kicking up. A modest response greets the new NAPW Champion.
SAM JENKANS: His opponent, from Los Angeles California... weighing in at two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds, the NAPW champion... Donovan Astrooooooooos!
Astros hits the ring, smirking equally to Silver Dagger. The referee checks each man, then takes the NAPW title belt from Astros. He shows it to Dagger, then holds it up for the crowd to see.
Ding ding ding!
The bell sounds to get this match underway.
OWEN NELSON: For those fans who do not know, New Alberta Pro Wrestling is the sister fed of REBEL Pro Wrestling, home of Rex Caliber and Stylin' Kyle Roberts among others. This is the first time ever the NAPW title has been defended outside of the home promotion or against an ECFW roster member.
BEN LITTLE: It won't be the first time an ECFW wrestler wins an NAPW/REBEL title, Owen. It was only a few weeks ago our very own Brat Pack won the REBEL tag titles!
OWEN NELSON: Very true, Ben. Anything can happen in ECFW!
Dagger and Astros talking some trash to one another to start things off. Dagger motions around his waist for "the belt." "You're nothing, Astros, that belt is mine!" Astros loses his smirk, eyes narrowing. Tie-up, hammerlock by Astros. Dagger winces, reaches around and grabs a handful of hair to throw Astros off. Referee warns him, but Dagger's already reversed into an arm bar, throwing some kicks into Astros' arm. He twists it again, Astros reverses and arm drags Dagger down! Silver pops up and charges, only to be arm- dragged down again Ricky Steamboat style and Astros holds on to the arm. Crowd gives a bit of applause there.
OWEN NELSON: Feeling out process to start here. NAPW is known for it's high-impact wrestling style, but Dagger is all about that with his arsenal.
Dagger forcing his way to his feet, he reverses the hold, only to take a back elbow into the face. Astros breaks free and tries an Irish whip, only to be reversed by Dagger, the NAPW champion comes off the ropes and takes a spinning heel kick to the mush! That gets a one count, but Dagger quickly hooks Astros for a suplex. That puts the NAPW champ down, and Dagger takes a minute to sneer at the crowd. That brings out the boo-birds. Dagger mounts Astros and starts raining down right hands, he's brought a bad attitude with him tonight. Referee counting one, two, three, four, Dagger gets off before he gets disqualified.
OWEN NELSON: Dagger has to be careful, the NAPW title can't change hands on a DQ or count-out.
BEN LITTLE: Of course Dagger will be careful, he deserves all the gold he can fit around his waist! If there was any justice, he would be Intercontinental Champion going into this match-up.
OWEN NELSON: I don't think there was any injustice in that match vs. Jason Blade last week!
BEN LITTLE: You don't remember Donny Downfall coming out and getting into Dagger's business?
OWEN NELSON: That was AFTER the match, Ben. And you know it. Back to THIS matchÉ
Dagger with Donovan Astros in the corner, throwing kicks into his ribs. Dagger tells the referee off when told to get it out of the corner. Big chop by Dagger, then an Irish whip sends Astros hard into the opposite turnbuckle. Charge here - Astros sidesteps and Dagger splats chest-first! He staggers out, caught by Astros with a big DDT! That gets a two count. Astros hooks up Dagger, suplex -- no, a Brainbuster!
OWEN NELSON: Kick-out again by Dagger, Astros dropping him on his head twice in a row. If he keeps up that attack it might not be long for Dagger's title shot!
The NAPW Champion signals for it, Astrocide! He's got the arms, turning --- Dagger isn't going down that easily, he shoves his man off. Astros turns around, Dagger lets fly a kick --- caught! No, Dagger with an Enziguri, but it's Astros turn to block a finisher. The first half of Cold Blood misses, but Dagger instead spins the other way and catches Astros in the chest, stunning him. Big knee- lift by Dagger to the gut, Astros down to one knee as Dagger gets some speed off the ropes for SHINING WIZAAAAAARD! Astros sways on one knee, not quite down, but that just means Dagger can come off the other ropes and nail a Shining Wizard to the back of the head. Astros slumps to the canvas, Dagger hooks the leg one, two, thKICKOUT!
OWEN NELSON: Near fall by Dagger there after TWO Shining Wizards! And now he's going to fly!
Indeed he is! Silver Dagger drags Astros into position, then scales the turnbuckle. Here comes the MOONSAULLLLLLT --- KNEES UP.
BEN LITTLE: This match just keeps going back and forth, these two men are so evenly matched!
OWEN NELSON: Several near falls in this match-up but you're right, Ben, neither man has been able to hold an extended advantage. And here comes the NAPW champion!
Astros with a sudden look of fury on his face hooks up the challenger's arms for the Aztecan Suplex, dropping Dagger on his head. Not enough? How about a Backdrop Suplex right on the man's head! Astros is relentless in his attack, but still only gets a two- count off of that. Undeterred, he suddenly locks on the Astrolock! The modified Stranglehold Gamma, will Dagger tap out? The crowd is come alive, they'd love to see Dagger tap out right here! He's holding on, but hand goes up... will he? Won't he? WILL HE? HE --- gets his ankle on the bottom rope and the referee calls for the break. Disgruntled, Astros breaks the hold. He backs off for a moment, then is right back to work on Dagger. He's got him for a German --- OH. Dagger shoots his leg backwards, connecting square with Astros' baby-maker. Shaking the cobwebs loose, Dagger gets to a corner as Astros holds his groin in pain, the referee never saw that low blow. Astros begins pulling himself up... Completely unaware that Dagger is motioning for him to "GET UP!", crouched in the corner. Astros is on his feet, turns around to face Dagger SPEAR Astros folded in half, Dagger with a cover ONE! TWO! THR---
OWEN NELSON: No! Astros kicked out, he kicked out! Silver Dagger can't believe it!
BEN LITTLE: Why are these fans cheering? That was a travesty!
OWEN NELSON: Silver Dagger hasn't made a lot of fans amongst the ECFW faithful, but he needs to keep his attention on the champion, not argue with the referee!
Dagger is holding up three fingers, half-screaming at the referee. No, it was a kick-out assures the referee! Dagger almost looks like he wants to hit the referee, but turns around to face Donovan Astros. He hammers the rising champion down and then... what the hell is this? UNPRETTIER? Dagger is going to use Astros' own move against him, the humiliation! He turns the man around... wait a minute, Astros forces the turn to continue! And now it's the NAPW Champion's turn to hit a big mule kick that catches Dagger low. Turnabout is fair play here, it seems. Astros grabs the man in a front face-lock and hits the Astrolabe DDT! He covers! ONE! TWO! TH--- Dagger kicks out! And now it's Astros' turn to look at the referee in shock. "How was that not three?" Two, the referee assures him DAGGER FROM BEHIND! Schoolboy roll-up, DAGGER has the ropes ONE, TWO, THREE!
BEN LITTLE: Yes, yes, yes!
OWEN NELSON: Hold on a second, the referee saw Dagger's hand on the ropes at the last second!
BEN LITTLE: But he counted three! The NAPW title belongs to ECFW!
OWEN NELSON: Referee's in charge of this match, and he saw the hand on the ropes! Boy, Silver Dagger is incensed!
Absolutely, Dagger believes he's won. He slaps his hand three-times, the referee yelling back that Dagger used the ropes. WATCH OUT! Donovan Astros charges in from behind with a flying bulldog! Dagger headfirst into the canvas, referee narrowly avoiding getting nailed! Astros hooks the man up, and finally hits Astrocide! He covers, one, two, three! Dagger isn't getting up from that one.
Ding, ding, ding!
SAM JENKANS: The winner of the match and still NAPW Champion, Donovan Astros!
BEN LITTLE: Damnit!
OWEN NELSON: You said the exact same thing last week. Silver Dagger thought he had this match-up won ---
BEN LITTLE: He DID have the match won, Owen!
OWEN NELSON: ---But the NAPW champion leaves Brisbane with his title after the Astrocide. A great match-up here tonight, but that's not even the end of inter-promotional action this week. Let's remind our fans that The Brat Pack will be defending the REBEL Pro tag titles in a STEEL CAGE against former champions The Foundation on this same night back in the United States.
Astros leaves the ring, belt high, crowd giving a decent pop. Dagger is holding his head, a look of disgust and anger on his face.
BEN LITTLE: Silver Dagger should be the NAPW Champion right now.
OWEN NELSON: That's karma, Ben. Silver Dagger cost Donny Downfall his match against Bryan Fury earlier tonight, and now Dagger loses his chance at the NAPW Title.
In the ring, Silver Dagger stands up and he kicks the bottom rope with frustration as the referee quickly gets out of dodge.
BEN LITTLE: What a travesty of justice here tonight in Brisbane.
-NAPW Championship-
Donovan Astros (c) vs Link Van Haggard
From Sydney, Australia - August 14th, 2007
SAM JENKANS: This match is scheduled for one fall and it is for the NAPW World Championship!
"Man In The Box (Instrumental)" by Harry Slash and The Slashtones hits the PA and the fans give a nice little pop for the man who is walking down the entrance way.
SAM JENKANS: Coming to the ring first, he hails from Napier, New Zealand and weighed in tonight at one-hundred and eighty pounds... LINK VAN HAGGARD!
LVK hits all four corners and salutes the fans.
"Battleflag (Lo-Fidelity All Stars Remix)" by Pigeonhed replaces Harry Slash on the sound system and from the back emerges the champ!
SAM JENKANS: And introducing the NAPW World Heavyweight Champion, he hails from Los Angeles, California and weighed in tonight at two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds....Donovan Astros!!!
As Astros steps into the ring we pan over to the ECFW announce crew.
OWEN NELSON: Astros making his second appearance here in ECFW. Last time we saw him, he beat Silver Dagger in a tough match.
BEN LITTLE: Do we get paid royalties for all the other companies who come and wrestle on our show?
The referee goes over the rules with both men, takes the NAPW Title and calls for the bell!
OWEN NELSON: And we're underway with this championship match!
The two men lock up and Astros uses his weight and power advantage to push Link into a corner. Chop across the chest of Link! Short right hand jab to the head! Another chop across the chest! Another jab! Link tries to shove Astros off him but takes a knee into the ribs. The referee is yelling at Astros to 'get it out of the corner' and the NAPW Champion does just that by whipping Link into the ropes. A back elbow puts Link onto the mat and Astros seems to be enjoying himself. Link is scrambling to get to his feet and takes a elbow to the back of the neck that stuns him. Rake to the eyes from Astros leaves Link rolling to the outside. Astros raises his arms in premature victory in the ring and the fans give him hell.
OWEN NELSON: Astros certainly not one of the more popular NAPW wrestlers.
BEN LITTLE: Pffffft. They all look alike to me.
As Astros is goofing off in the ring he never sees LVK pulls himself up on the ring apron and springboard himself off the top rope! Flying forearm smash to the back of Astros sends the champ crashing to the mat! Link Van Haggard measures Astros as he's getting up. Step up Enziguri! Again the champ is down! Link heads to the nearest turnbuckle, leaps to the top and goes to the air. Astros rolls out of the way of a flying elbow and Link hits nothing but canvas! Astros wastes no time pulling a dazed Haggard to his feet and hitting a beautiful butterfly suplex! To his credit, Link is up immediately but takes a brutal lariat that puts him back down onto the mat!
OWEN NELSON: Link cannot keep this a mat-based match! If he wants to win he'll have to use those high flying moves of his!
Astros goes for the cover but Link rolls a shoulder at one breaking the count. Astros pulls LVK to his feet and shoots him into the far ropes. Donovan drops his head a second to early allowing Haggard to roll over the back! Astros spins around and takes a spinning back heel kick to the mush that sends him staggering into the ropes. A kick to the gut from Link! Followed up by a forearm shot from the plucky challenger! LVK whips Astros into the far ropes and goes for a dropkick. Donovan holds onto the ropes and Link crashes to the mat. Astros pulls Haggard to his feet and nails a vicious tiger suplex! Astros covers his man but Haggard grabs the bottom rope before the referee can even start his count.
OWEN NELSON: Link Van Haggard is showing how bad he wants this title!
BEN LITTLE: You know...I think I weigh more than Link.
OWEN NELSON: Ben, you weigh more than just about anyone.
Astros pulls Link up and tries for a suplex. Haggard blocks it! Again Astros goes for the suplex only to have it blocked! Haggard spins them around and it's Link who hits the snap suplex! Astros is quickly trying to make it to his feet when he takes a low dropkick to the back of his head! Haggard goes for the cover! One! Two! Astros kicks out with authority! Leaping knee drop off the ropes leaves Astros dazed on the mat. The fans are stomping their feet as Link Van Haggard goes to the turnbuckles. He leaps to the top and executes a beautiful moonsault onto the NAPW Champion! One! Two! Astros kicks out! The fans let out a collective sigh as they thought that the champ had just gotten pinned.
OWEN NELSON: Link almost had him! Donovan is looking hurt!
Link reaches down to pull Astros off the mat when he takes a thumb to the eye. As LVK staggers back against the ropes, Astros pulls himself up and tries to shake of the effects of the moonsault. Haggard suddenly rushes the champ but gets hit with a modified spear to the gut! Astros springs to his feet, fury burning in his eyes and yanks Haggard to a standing position. Straightjacket suplex! Instead of going for a pin the NAPW World Champ drives a series of wicked knees into the cranium of Link who is desperately trying to cover up! Astros quickly pulls Haggard up to a vertical base and locks him in position for his finisher. Astrocide! Donovan hooks the far leg as the referee counts. One! Two! Three!
OWEN NELSON: The champ keeps the title! Link did all he could but he was overwhelmed by a determined NAPW World Champion.
BEN LITTLE: Hey, uhÉis Link dead? I don't see him moving.
SAM JENKANS: The winner of this match...and STILL NAPW World Champion... Donovan Astros!
A mixed reaction greets this announcement. Not that Astros cares. He snatches the title from the referee and holds it high overhead.
OWEN NELSON: A tough loss for Link, but he showed why he deserved a shot here tonight.
-NAPW Championship-
Donovan Astros (c) vs Ravager
From Beijing, China - September 4, 2007
OWEN NELSON: It's been quite a show so far, but next up we have a contest with a hot young promotion from Canada ECFW has been working with. The NAPW World Title is on the line right here in China. Let's go to Sam Jenkans.
SAM JENKANS: The following contest is scheduled for one fall at a 60 minute time limit, and is for the New Alberta Pro World Championship! There is a 20-count on the floor. The title can only change hands by pinfall or submission, and in the event of a disqualification or count-out for either man, the champion will retain. Now, the participants...
Four cellos.
"PATH."
The orchestral metal of Apocalyptica blasts through the PA. The Beijing crowd applauds politely the pale-faced, raven-haired man in conservative black trunks coming through the entranceway. He looks over the capacity crowd slowly, taking it in, focused gaze unwavering.
OWEN NELSON: When ECFW announced that the NAPW Champion would be joining us on our world tour, everybody expected it would be this man Ravager. Nobody in NAPW has held the title longer than Ravager or defended it more times than he did.
BEN LITTLE: Expectations, shmexpectations! He lost the bloomin' belt one week before we headed off to New Zealand, that's his problem!
Ravager hits the top turnbuckle. In many ways, it is strange to see him enter without the title around his waist. He tests the ropes, then awaits his opponent...
Pigeonhed screeches through the curtain. Coming through the curtain in his trademark "Walk of Fame" long tights, the NAPW title over his right shoulder. Donovan Astros wears a cocky grin, coming to the ring at his own pace, directing derisive gazes to the fans on the aisle.
BEN LITTLE: Now here's a real champion! NAPW should be thankful it was this man going overseas, they got lucky! Look at Donovan Astros, he's been a champion since the day he was born!
OWEN NELSON: Astros in no hurry to get to the ring. He doesn't seem too interested in getting this match started, Ben.
BEN LITTLE: He's the bloody champion, he sets the pace! If you'd ever been a champion you'd understand that.
Astros finally gets in the ring, holding the belt up high. He flicks a glance at Ravager, snorting. The crowd may not be too familiar with this man, but they already have made up their minds: they don't like him one bit.
SAM JENKANS: Introducing first to my left, the challenger. He weighed in this morning at two-hundred and ten pounds and stands five-feet, ten inches tall. He is a two-time NAPW Provincial Champion... and the two-time and longest reigning NAPW champion in history! From Brooklyn New York, he is the White Collar Assassin, the Silencer, The Last Resort... Rrrrrrravagerrrrrrr!
Cheers!
SAM JENKANS: Introducing to my right... He weighed in this morning at two-hundred and twenty-seven pounds and stands six-feet, three inches tall. He is a former NAPW Tag Team Champion and the REIGNING NAPW World Champion... ladies and gentlemen, Worldwide Astrocide... Donavannnnn Astrrrrrrooooooossss!
Boos! Astros holds the title belt up high and kisses it before relinquishing it to referee Nathan Greenland. Greenland displays the title to Ravager, and then to all four sides of the ring. This is what it's all about ---
OWEN NELSON: There's the --- the champion from behind! Donovan Astros blindsiding Ravager before the bell, looking for a quick advantage! The NAPW World Champion laying into Ravager with stiff kicks into the ribs. Ravager's ribs have been damaged for months now, come on Astros!
BEN LITTLE: Come on, Nelson. When you have an advantage, you press it - that's why Astros is the champ!
Astros kicks Ravager down in the corner, then throws a choke on for good measure. Greenland uses his five-count and the champ breaks in the nick of time. Astros takes the opportunity to goad the fans on some more. He turns back to Ravager, throwing another heavy kick at the former champ. "Come on Ravager, what's the matter, you got some hurt ribs or something?"
The trash-talk proves to be a mistake, as Ravager suddenly explodes with a sickening knife-edge chop against Astros bare chest that sends the champion stumbling. Ravager roughly turns Astros back around and
CHOP
The unique sound of one man's hand nearly caving in another man's chest echoes throughout. Another couple chops, then Ravager fires Astros into the ropes with an irish whip and hits a hiiiiigh back body drop! Astros hits the canvas and rolls outside the ring to take a powder. The crowd gives Ravager a round of applause as Astros snarls on the outside...
BEN LITTLE: That's right, champ, get your bearings. Nobody tells you how to wrestle this match!
OWEN NELSON: Astros taking his time getting back in the ring. He has til the twenty-count, although if he got himself counted out he would retain the title.
BEN LITTLE: He's a fighting champ, that he is. There won't be any bloody count-outs in this match, but Ravager could stand to learn a little patience. He won't even let Astros back into the ring cleanly!
Well, that's not exactly what's going on. Astros creeps up to the ring apron, almost getting into the ring --- as soon as Ravager steps forward to close the distance between them, Astros drops right back down to the floor. "Hey referee, keep him the hell away from me? What, don't they have count-outs in ECFW? I'll get in the ring when he gets the heck away from me!" Greenland forces Ravager to get into the corner farthest away from Astros. The champ climbs to the apron and back through the ropes... yes, he's in the ring. Astros preens for the crowd, and then offers ---
a handshake to Ravager?
"Come on Rav old buddy, put 'er there! Let's have ourselves a great wrestling match!" Ravager stares at the outstretched hand, his own hands on his hips. The expression on his face is one of disbelief, almost amusement. Astros can't possibly expect Ravager to buy this. The crowd certainly doesn't. Astros, broadly grinning, shakes his hand in the air. Ravager looks out over the crowd, back at Astros, then at the hand... and shakes it.
A handshake happens. That's it oh no, Astros fires off with a cheap shot --- Ravager ducks the lariat! Astros spins around and fires a right hand, Ravager blocks that and delivers a headbutt right to the champ's forehead! Astros' eyes cross, but he fires another right hand only to have that one blocked too... and another forehead dashed across his head. Ravager grabs Astros by the head and gives him a third, this one knocking the champ to the ground. Astros gets back up, momentarily dazed and unsure where he is... he turns around and is met with another chop! Knocks him down. Ravager follows the champ down to the canvas this time and hooks the legs, STF style, cinching in a cravate on the man's head...
OWEN NELSON: It's The Garrote! Ravager has that modified STF cinched in tight, could Astros submit right here?
The crowd is watching intently. They're not cheering "TAP TAP TAP" like a North American crowd might, but they're into this as Astros yells in pain. "Do you want to give it up, Astros? Astros do you want to give it up?" shouts Greenland. "No, no, arrgggh!" Ravager cinches it back, but Astros has more than enough left in the tank to use his arms to start reaching ... crawling... reaching... yes, he's got the ropes. Greenland asks for a break, but Ravager holds on! One, two, three, four, the challenger breaks the hold. Astros gets to his feet, holding his back in pain.
Ravager actually breaks a grin and extends HIS hand for a shake.
Astros snarls and walks right up to Ravager, getting right in his face. They're nose-to-nose as this contest begins to get some serious heat. "You're done, Ravager, you're done as champ you mealy-mouthed son of a bitch! It's my time now, it's time for Worldwide Astrocide, what, do you think you're clever? You think you're funny?" And so forth. Ravager lets half a smile creep onto his face ---
and then they start firing at each other!
This wrestling match just became a fight! Astros seems to have the better of Ravager, knocking him backwards into the corner. He throws a chop of his own, then irish whips Ravager to the opposite turnbuckle. Astros HEADOSTEAM --- and takes a boot to the face! LARIATOOOOOOO! Ravager explodes out of the corner and just creams Donovan Astros with a huge lariat, COVER! ONE! TWO! Astros kicks out!
To quote Hot Fuzz, "Shit just got real." Ravager hooks both of Astros' arms and forces him to his feet. Forearms across the back keep the champ sedate, and Ravager delivers a butterfly suplex picture-perfect. Float-over, one, two, another kick-out. Ravager going for The Garotte again --- Astros fighting it! He turns over and manages to kick Ravager in the face, then school-boys him. HANDFUL OF TIGHTS! ONE! TWO! Ravager kicks out!
OWEN NELSON: Come on referee, get on that!
BEN LITTLE: For once I agree with you, Nelson --- that was a slow count!
OWEN NELSON: I was talking about Astros grabbing the tights!
Ravager looks to irish whip Astros again, reversed, oooh, a toe-kick right to the ribs. That one stuns Ravager, and Donovan takes advantage by double-underhooking the arms. "Anything you can do, I can do BETTER!" Astros shouts as he delivers his own butterfly suplex, this one releasing Ravager straight over head. The challenger almost lands dangerously on his head, he gets up... only to be irish whipped and caught in an abdominal stretch! A move perfectly designed to soften up the damaged ribs of Ravager!
And as soon as the referee isn't looking right at him, Astros reaches out and grabs the top rope for added leverage.
OWEN NELSON: Come ON. Astros can't go one minute without bending or outright breaking the rules of this contest! Get some control, Greenland!
The hand is gone when Greenland looks up. Astros wrenches on the hold, then grabs the ropes again. There's even less chance of Ravager escaping with the added leverage Astros has... Oh ho ho! Greenland looks up, and Astros' hand is on the ropes just a second too long. "Break the hold, Astros! You had the ropes, get off the hold!" Astros complies. Ravager is in the middle of the ring, trying to shake the pain off...only to get taken over by an Astros German Suplex. Then the champ is all over Ravager on the canvas...
Astros grabs the arms, the knees, and then... rolls backwards in a Bow & Arrow lock! That's going to be hell on Ravager's damaged ribs!
"TAP OUT OR I'LL BREAK YOU, RAVAGER!"
Ravager reaches out, can't get anywhere. Astros wants this so bad. He'd love to beat Ravager with a submission! Will the challenger tap out? He raises his hand up. The pain has got to be excruciating! Ravager's hand is shaking...
No! He's not tapping! Ravager trying to break the hold, trying to make it hard for Astros to hold on... he's rocking back and forth, his arms are free, he starts throwing whatever he can towards Astros. It's not much, but it's enough for Astros to release. He's not going to beat the man this way --- ASTROLOCK! What a switch-up! Donovan with his modified Stranglehold Gamma! This time Ravager is quickly to the ropes. Referee calls for a break, Astros holds on for the five-count and breaks just before disqualification. He could retain the title on a DQ, but his ego won't allow it. He has to BEAT Ravager a second time.
The champion makes a point to send some vicious punts into Ravager's ribcage as the challenger lays on the mat. Handful of hair brings Ravager to his feet. Hooks him, Ravager struggles, Astros pounds the man to quell that... and it's BRAINBUSTAHHHHHH time. Right down on his head. Astros sits up, smirking, before hooking the leg for ONE! TWO! Kick-out! "Dammit!" Astros hooks one of Ravager's arms, and then begins delivering a flurry of shots right into the man's ribcage. Referee pulls Astros off of the challenger to a chorus of boos.
OWEN NELSON: The damage to Ravager's ribs is showing here, it's taking the challenger a long time to get back to his feet. He's virtually crawling up the ropes.
BEN LITTLE: Then it's just a matter of time!
Astros grabs Ravager, whip into the turnbuckle that Ravager takes chest-first. Ravager slumps forward after the impact, but he doesn't get a reprieve as Astros has a HEADOSTEAM, big flying splash to the back! Astros turns his man around then and climbs the top rope? What's this going to be, Astros isn't a high-flyer... He grabs Ravager's arm and leaps off ---
Top-Rope rocker-dropper (with a twist)!
OWEN NELSON: Oh my god! That's the Steele Tower, Astros' finisher from years ago! That's gonna be all!
ONE!
TWO!
TH---KICK-OUT!
Ravager kicks out of the Steele Tower!
BEN LITTLE: That's impossible!
OWEN NELSON: Ravager has spent the better of the last year proving his detractors wrong, making the impossible possible! But how much does he have left in the tank here in Beijing?
That's the million dollar question. Astros doesn't want to hear the answer. He pulls Ravager up and hooks the arms from behind. Twist... into the Unprettier! ASTROCIDE --- no, Ravager actually begins to stand up from his position behind Astros! The champion flips backwards to land on his feet, booting Ravager in the gut. Spinning Implant DDT, he calls it the Astrolabe! A cover and
ONE!
TWO!
KICK-OUT!
Astros can't believe it this time. He's arguing with the count, but quickly realizes he can't give Ravager any time to recover. Pulls the man up INSIDE CRADLE!
ONE!
TWO!
Astros kicks out! Ravager almost took the match right there and then!
OWEN NELSON: It took a top-rope Astrocide for Astros to beat Ravager last time, the champion has to be wondering what it will take to keep Ravager down this time?
Indeed he is. Astros quickly rakes the eyes and takes back the momentum after that near-fall. He perches Ravager on the top rope. Is he going to try a top-rope Astrocide once again? It could be... but Ravager is fighting! Ravager and Astros exchanging blows on the top rope... WAIT A MINUTE! RAVAGER HAS THE KATA-HAJIME ON! They're on the top rope! Astros can't go anywhere, he can't lose on the ropes, but Ravager isn't about to let go!
Not unless he hurts Astro in doing so! TAZZMISSIONPLEX! FROM THE TOP ROPE! Astros splats on the canvas. Ravager is in pain, but suddenly his eyes clear and his teeth grit.
Astros picked up! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOP! CHOPCHOPCHOPCHOPCHOPCHOPCHOP in the corner! Irish whip and Astros smashes into the turnbuckle, popping upside down before crashing back down to the canvas. Ravager then takes the man's head and places it against the bottom rope. Oh no, he's not going to!
Ravager puts his foot on the back of a limp Astros' head, looking around at the crowd. Will he?
STOMP.
Curbstomp into the bottom rope! He calls that The Silencer, a vicious, brutal move, but the crowd isn't exactly upset to see Astros get his. The champion's body shudders and then goes limp. Ravager drags him into better position and then makes the cut-throat motion! To the top rope, and it's a diving headbutt in beautiful Dynamite Kid style! Ravager is hurt himself, landing on his chest, the impact on his head. But he reaches over! Hooks the leg!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE---
Astros grabs the bottom rope at the last possible second!
BEN LITTLE: The mark of a champion, he knows where he is at all times! A lesser man would have had no idea the ropes were so close!
OWEN NELSON: Astros keeps his title for another moment, but Ravager is building momentum now!
Ravager, face a mask of pain, pulls Astros up. Headbutt to the champion, followed by a chop, and then Ravager looks for the Kata-Hajime again LOW BLOW. Astros trick knee acts up and his leg catches Ravager right in the junk. Ravager, bent over behind the champion, is in bad position.
Because all Astros needs to do is grab the arms, smirk, and then deliver ASTROCIDE.
BEN LITTLE: Yes yes haha! Good night!
OWEN NELSON: Astrocide! ONE! TWO! THREE --- NO! How did Ravager kick-out? HOW?
BEN LITTLE: Kick out, what do you mean mate --- he can't kick out of that!
OWEN NELSON: He can and somehow, he DID! Ravager is still in this thing!
Astros is groaning in utter depression. How. How. HOW does he do that, that's all that must be running through his mind. He holds up three fingers, the referee flashes two.
Only two.
Astros gets up, stomping Ravager for good measure, but he's almost out of ideas. He pulls the man up again... another Astrocide should do it ---
Ravager reverses!
LAST RESORT!
DRAGONNNNN SUPLEX!
Astros flips over in the air and literally lands on his stomach and face... but the impact sends him sliding out of the ring! Bad luck for Ravager, good luck for Astros. Well, somewhat. Astros is getting to his feet but he looks like he's out on his feet. Ravager takes stock of the situation and decides the risk is worth the pay-off. Off the ropes, SUICIDE DIVE ---
Astros moves!
Donovan, not entirely playing possum, leans against the ring apron to regain his bearings. But his eyes aren't clouded, he wasn't quite as out of it as he appeared. Meanwhile Ravager crashed right into the steel barricade head-first, not to mention landing on the floor the hard way. The champion bundles Ravager into the ring and follows him in. Irish whip, Astros going for WHO KNOWS, because Ravager stops short and knocks Astros in the head. The challenger off the ropes --- Ravager explodes out with his patented LARIATTTTOOOOO --- Astros ducks! He grabs Ravager's arms from behind, spinning around for Astrocide ---
No, he keeps turning! OH MY GOD!
VERTEBREAKER! VERTEBREAKER!
Astros drops Ravager RIGHT on his damn head and feverishly hooks the legs!
ONE!
TWO!
THREE!
SAM JENKANS: Your winner, and still NAPW World Champion... Donovannnn Astrooooooosss!
OWEN NELSON: It took Astros' pulling his Shockwave maneuver, otherwise known as the Vertrebreaker, out of the mothballs to finally put Ravager down for the three-count in an absolutely fantastic match!
BEN LITTLE: What a match! What a champion! What a pay-off I'm going to have with my bookie!
OWEN NELSON: You gambled on wrestling?
BEN NELSON: Of course not, I'm talking about my librarian! I told you Astros would do it, didn't I tell you?
OWEN NELSON: Ravager brought everything he had to the ring, but it seems that Donovan Astros has his number. Give credit to the challenger, but it is Donovan Astros who leaves China STILL the NAPW World Champion.
Astros hugs his title, then exits the ring to a chorus of boos. He's done what he came to do, now it's time to get the hell out of this country. Dick.
Greenland is checking on Ravager, who looks in fairly bad shape. After what seems like an interminably long time, Ravager gingerly takes his feet, Greenland throwing the man's arm over his shoulders to help him to the back. The crowd showers Ravager with applause as he takes the long walk back to the dressing room...