Post by TheShowJordanRichards on Nov 20, 2015 14:02:59 GMT -5
This was a two-show event, with the matinee and evening sessions both held at The Scope in Norfolk, VA. The opening round of the tournament took place during the matinee session. iPPV viewers had the option of watching both sessions live as they happened or of watching a packaged event, with a tape delay of the first session that began at 4:30 PM EST, then bled into the live evening session.
Barbie Blank welcomed everyone to the Bantamweight Championship Tournament's first round. She was holding the championship belt as she spoke. It sparkled like a new diamond as the overhead lights gleamed on it. She introduced the event host and lead commentator, Jim Ross, to a nice ovation. Blank also introduced the commentary team of William Regal and Madusa Miceli, who would help call the action with Ross. Finally, Barbie acknowledged the NWA "Legends of the Squared Circle" Consulting Group, which was in attendance. Blank explained that each first round match carried a twenty-minute time limit, while the quarterfinals, semifinals, and final rounds each had thirty-minute time limits. With that, she turned the microphone over to lead announcer Scarlett Bordeaux for the introductions to the first match.
(Commentary between matches will be suspended for the sake of space)
Match One ~ 8 Mayumi Hashiba vs. 9 Sumire Natsu
Natsu suffered a knee injury that took a year of her career away. She came back just before being signed to the Bantamweight class. She has looked great in her most recent matches. Hashiba is a veteran who has been successful throughout her career. The younger Natsu is bigger and stronger. It showed against Hashiba, who did her best to fly around the ring and use her speed to combat Natsu's size advantage. In the end, Natsu trapped Hashiba in an "Inside Cradle" and used her powerful legs to grapevine Hashiba for the pin.
Winner = 9 Sumire Natsu by pinfall in 8:12
Match Two ~ 1 Mayu Iwatani vs. 16 Yuka Sakazaki
Yuka is a might mite. She is the smallest person on the entire Show Time roster, as 90 pounds. She has plenty of fight, though. Sakazaki gave the popular and athletic Iwatani all she could handle. In the end, she succumbed to Iwatani's bridging "Dragon Suplex."
Winner = 1 Mayu Iwatani by pinfall in 7:23
Match Three ~ 2 Mika Nagano vs. 15 Micro
Nagano is on a mission from "Joshi Mafia" to bring another championship into their fold, as they recently lost both the Femme Fatales and Tag Team Championships. She attempted to impose her will on Micro, who, at only 4'10," is towered over by nearly everyone and who has truly earned her name. Nagano did finish off Micro with her "Fujiwara Armbar," but not before Micro made an impressive showing for herself.
Winner = 2 Mika Nagano by submission in 8:15
Match Four ~ 7 Riho vs. 10 Sayaka Obihiro
Riho is one of the youngest members of the active roster, having just turned eighteen. Her ability belies her age though, as she took it to the larger Obihiro. Riho zipped around the ring like a butterfly. Obihiro attempted to impose her size advantage, but Riho was too good on this night.
Winner = 7 Riho by pinfall in 9:44
Match Five ~ 5 Aoi Kizuki vs. 12 235
This was a highly competitive match-up. 235 showed better than her number 12 seeding. Kizuki has really come into her own over the last couple of years. She is working like a seasoned veteran. She finished 235 with a "450 Splash."
Winner = 5 Aoi Kizuki by pinfall in 10:10
Match Six ~ 6 Kaho Kobayashi vs. 11 Mika Iida
Kobayashi is much stronger than her size would indicate. She outclassed Iida, who is a finely skilled technician in her own right. Kaho hit her "Fisherman Suplex" for the pin.
Winner = 6 Kaho Kobayashi by pinfall in 9:32
Match Seven ~ 4 Maki Narumiya vs. 13 Maya Yukihi
Yukihi was easily the most competitive of the lower seeds, taking number 4 seed Narumiya for a twelve-minute ride. Narumiya took this one after a scintillating "Diving Guillotine Legdrop."
Winner = 4 Maki Narumiya by pinfall in 12:22
Match Eight ~ 3 Makoto vs. 14 Korahu Hinata
Makoto is one of the most popular Bantamweights on the roster. She has a varied offensive attack with plenty of weapons. However, Korahu Hinata forced her to the limit. It took Makoto nearly twelve minutes in putting her away, with the "Arabesque" finisher.
Winner = 3 Makoto by pinfall in 11:41
That concluded the matinee session.
After a 30-minute intermission and several video vignettes, combination broadcast on iPPV resumed. Barbie Blank welcomed the evening session attendees to the event. She once again introduced Jim Ross, William Regal, Madusa Miceli, and the NWA "Legends of the Squared Circle,' before turning it over to Scarlett Bordeaux for the introductions of the quarterfinal match-ups.
Match One ~ 1 Mayu Iwatani vs. 9 Sumire Natsu
Iwatani and Natsu went at it tooth-and-nail, each one pulling out their "big guns" against the other. Iwatani, the master of the "Hurricanrana," uncorked a top-rope "Reverse Hurricanrana" that spiked Natsu right on top of her head for the win.
Winner = 1 Mayu Iwatani by pinfall in 10:54
Match Two ~ 2 Mika Nagano vs. 7 Riho
Nagano attempted to finish Riho early, but she fought off the "Fujiwara Armbar." Riho got in some good offense throughout, but it was not her night, as Nagano hit a nasty "Curb Stomp" to do her in.
Winner = 2 Mika Nagano by pinfall in 8:28
Match Three ~ 3 Makoto vs. 6 Kaho Kobayashi
Athletic prowess was on full display in this one, which almost felt like a final. Makoto won with a "Bridging Double Underhook Suplex" after a close match.
Winner = 3 Makoto by pinfall in 11:34
Match Four ~ 5 Aoi Kizuki vs. 4 Maki Narumiya
Kizuki is hitting her stride. Narumiya is as good as they come in the weight class. She was game, but Kizuki was too much in the end. She polished Maki off with a "450 Splash," much like she did in her first match.
Winner = 5 Aoi Kizuki by pinfall in 13:48
Match Five ~ 2 Mika Nagano vs. 3 Makoto
So, it was on to the semi-finals. Nagano and Makoto went smash mouth with each other. Makoto had a bloody nose and Nagano had two bloody lips before this one was over. The match was not without controversy either. The referee ("Fast Count" Florez) was behind both wrestlers when Nagano caught Makoto with an "O'Connor Roll." Nagano grabbed a double handful of tights, which Florez could not see, to gain the pin. Makoto had a minor wardrobe malfunction because of it--and showed Florez as much--but the count had already been made.
Winner = 2 Mika Nagan0 by pinfall in 9:53
Match Six ~ 1 Mayu Iwatani vs. 5 Aoi Kizuki
This was the most inconclusive match of the night. Both women hit everything but the kitchen sink, but could not get a pin. They tried submissions, but both women were too tough to give in. The ending was unfortunate, to say the least. Both women collided in center ring, smacking craniums with one another. Iwatani dropped like a shot. Kizuki careened backward into the ropes (falling between the middle and bottom ropes) and splatting on the floor. Kizuki appeared to have struck the back of her head on the landing. The referee (Candice Michelle) began her count. Iwatani rose at seven inside the ring. Kizuki made it to her feet at eight, but could not find her bearings (her back was to the ring). She turned at nine and rushed for the apron, but could not roll in before the ten-count was signaled. It was a difficult result for the fans and the participants. Iwatani offered condolences and the two shook hands afterward.
Winner = 1 Mayu Iwatani by countout in 15:39
After a fifteen-minute intermission, it was time for the tournament final. Commissioner Yuzuki Aikawa and Deputy Commissioner Fuka Kakimoto brought the championship belt to ringside before returning to their luxury box.
Match Seven ~ NWA: Show Time Bantamweight Championship Tournament Final ~ 1 Mayu Iwatani vs. 2 Mika Nagano
As is often the case with any match involving "Joshi Mafia," this one was marred by dubious circumstances. Iwatani was better than Nagano in every facet of the word. She was faster. She had better offense. She had better counters. It appeared to be Iwatani's night to win a championship, period. The referee (Trina Michaels) got knocked unconscious by a stray "Roundhouse Kick" from Nagano. Iwatani then hit a standing "Reverse Hurricanrana" that dropped Nagano skull-first to the mat. She then scaled the ropes and, in a tribute to the late Eddy Guerrero (the ten-year anniversary of his passing was last week), nailed a picturesque "Frog Splash." Nagano was all but done, but their was no referee to count the fall. Senior Referee Carley Rae sprinted to ringside and slid in counting, but Nagano kicked out at two-and-nine-tenths. The crowd heaved in excitement. Then, Carley Rae was knocked out after Nagano ducked a "Lariat" attempt by Iwatani. At this point, a large female figure cloaked in black came to ringside. She struck Iwatani in the back of the head with what appeared to be a lead pipe. Iwatani was out like a light. Nagano locked in her "Fujiwara Armbar" as referee Michaels revived. Michaels saw Iwatani unresponsive in the hold and called for the bell.
Winner and NEW NWA: Show Time Bantamweight Champion = 2 Mika Nagano by TKO in 20:01
As the cloaked figure led Nagano to the dressing room with the championship belt, her hood slid back to reveal a quick glimpse of Awesome Kong, before she jerked the shroud back over her head.
Match Eight ~ "10-Man Steel Cage" match ~ Brock Lesnar, The Rock, John Cena, Randy Orton, & Adam Cole with Maria Kanellis vs. Scott Hall, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, and "New Age Outlaws"--Road Dog & Billy Gunn
If you tuned in looking for a fight, you definitely got your money's worth. This was a walk down memory lane, as many of the key players from the "Attitude Era" were involved. The legends made a strong accounting for themselves. "HBK" particularly shined. There was one point where he hit "Sweet Chin Music" consecutively on all five opponents. Ultimately, Brock Lesnar was too much "beast." The heroes were vanquished, but not before an entertaining match had taken place.
Winners = Brock Lesnar, The Rock, John Cena, Randy Orton, & Adam Cole by pinfall with an "F-5" on Gunn in 25:13
Hall, Nash, Michaels, and "NAO" received a standing ovation and several "You still got it!" chants, as they soaked in the cheers with blood streaming down each man's face.
Jim Ross thanked everyone for tuning in and the broadcast faded to black.
The tournament bracket is attached below:
Show Time Bantamweight Championship.pdf (64.34 KB)