Magnus Books The Midwest 12.14.07: The Final Four Results

Hello, and welcome to Week 6 of Magnus Books The Midwest. Last week, we had show 4: the final show before The Final Four. Takeshi Morishima’s team won the big eight man tag team preview bout, with Morishima scoring the fall on El Generico. In the previous match, we saw another preview of The Final Four, as then men with grudges battled, with Arik Cannon scoring the fall on Hallowicked to win it for his team. It was not without controversy as Chris Hero and Eddie Kingston brawled several times during the event. Larry Sweeney and Azrieal could not stand being paired together and their team fell apart, allowing Ricochet and Chuck Taylor to pick up an easy victory. Speaking of Chuck Taylor, Matt Sydal was revealed to have paid off Sterling James Keenan to take him out of the tournament, meaning Matt Sydal has been suspended and kicked out of the title tournament. Plus Shiima Xion and Sterling James Keenan continued their preparations, with victories over Kid Krazy and Shane Storm respectively.

Before the column begins, I just want to apologise for my lack of reviews recently. College has been tough and I’ve had to put a lot of time towards it. But the holiday are less than a week away and

It’s quite obvious that there is a big show on this week: The Final Four has been building for five weeks now, and this week the event is finally here. Let’s take a look at what is in store for us on this massive night of action-

Main Event, Four Way To Determine First Ever PWM Open Stipulation Champion- Kevin Steen vs Three Semi Final Winners
Semi Finals
Eddie Kingston vs Low-Ki
Delirious vs Gran Akuma
El Generico vs Takeshi Morishima
Non-Tournament Action
The Black and The Brave (Tyler Black and Marek brave) vs The Anarchistic Punishers (Arik Cannon and B-Boy) w/Julius Smokes
The Kings Of Wrestling (Chris Hero, Claudio Castagnoli and Josh Abercrombie) vs Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw and Eddie Kingston
Ricochet and Chuck Taylor vs Sterling James Keenan and his ‘monster’
Azrieal vs Billy Roc vs Hallowicked vs Larry Sweeney
Plus Shiima Xion will make an appearance, and Matt Sydal will address the fans

One piece of pre-show news for you now

Big Match Signed For Next Week
A massive match has been signed for next week’s show. It will be a grudge match in every sense of the word, as Eddie Kingston will go one on one with Chris Hero. These two are sure to hit hard and try to destroy each other in their quest for victory in this new chapter in their long running feud.

Now let’s head right for the action, as we present The Final Four-

Shiima Xion is backstage with Dave Prazak

Prazak- Hello, Dave Prazak backstage here with the self proclaimed world’s hottest wrestler, Shiima Xion, and Shiima, the question on everyone’s mind is why did you choose not to wrestle here tonight.

Xion- The truth is, I’m far too hot to be messing up my hair or my appearance in the ring in front of a bunch of ugly losers. I have more important matters at hand right now, and I wouldn’t be here tonight if I didn’t have a purpose. Tonight, one man is going to learn that nobody rejects my help, and he will learn in the hardest possible way: when I cost him the one thing that he desires the most.

Prazak- So it’s someone in the Open Stipulation Title Tournament then?

Shiima- Well, that is the only thing worth caring about in this pathetic excuse for a wrestling promotion isn’t it. Tonight, this person will learn not to mess around with me or my looks.

Prazak- OK, thanks for your comments Shiima Xion, and I’ll be getting comments from wrestlers throughout the locker room on their matches here tonight. But for now let’s head down to the ring for the opening Four Corner Survival match.

Match 1
‘Dynamite’ Billy Roc vs ‘The Good Guy’ Azrieal vs ‘Sweet and Sour’ Larry Sweeney vs Hallowicked
A solid opening match, with some real purpose as Billy Roc and Hallowicked are fighting for a full time spot on the roster while Azrieal and Larry Sweeney are having problems getting along with each other. Azrieal and Larry Sweeney looked like they had buried the hatchet, working together to isolate Billy Roc from Hallowicked, so in a way this became a tag team match. But miss-communication saw Sweeney and Azrieal’s relationship break down once again, allowing Hallowicked to tag in and build some momentum. Azrieal and Sweeney ended up brawling around the ringside area, while not keeping an eye on the ring. Inside the ring Hallowicked blocked an aerial move from Roc, and won this match to earn a roster spot after a Top Rope Fishermans Buster got the three count
Winner- Hallowicked
Rating- **

After the match, Azrieal and Larry Sweeney continue to brawl around the ringside area, and it’s becoming clear that they can’t co-exist. Commissioner Ian Rotten came out, and announced that he’s sick of these two, and says that next week on Pro Wrestling Midwest TV, they will wrestle in a Loser Leaves Town match. The fans liked the idea while Sweeney and Azrieal didn’t like it at all, both having a fit of rage.

Dave Prazak is backstage with Matt Sydal

Prazak- Hello, once again Dave Prazak here backstage with a man who has every reason to be angry, Matt Sydal. Matt, what are your thoughts on Commissioner Ian Rotten suspending you for 14 days and kicking you out of the Open Stipulation Title Tournament.

Sydal- It’s a disgrace, I’ve done nothing wrong. People are saying I paid off Sterling James Keenan to take Chuck Taylor out of the tournament. That’s complete garbage, I didn’t and I would never do anything like that. Didn’t I tell you that two weeks ago Dave.

Prazak- But there is actual footage of you paying off Sterling James Keenan, which we are going to show now.

Sydal: NO, DON’T…….

Sydal is cut off mid sentence as we see the video footage. It’s was exactly how Ian Rotten said it before, Matt Sydal goes into a darkly lit room with Sterling James Keenan, gives him a large wad of cash and tells Keenan to get his monster to cost Chuck Taylor the match. The fans are booing this loudly.

Prazak- Well Matt Sydal, what do you have to say about this revealing footage.

Sydal- OK, OK, I’ll confess, I did pay off Sterling James Keenan. But the truth is, Sterling’s help was only insurance. I knew I could beat Chuck Taylor without the help of Sterling James Keenan and his ‘monster’. But I wanted to make sure, so I paid him as backup to ensure that there is no way I would lose. But I don’t need any help to win matches, and when I get back in 14 days time, I’m going to prove it. And I don’t care what any of the fans think, I’m the best and I don’t need their support anymore.

Matt Sydal storms off

Prazak- Well, interesting words from Matt Sydal, and we will just have to wait and see if Sydal can do what he says in 14 days time. Now back to the ring, as we will see our four semi-final matches in the Open Stipulation Title Tournament.

Match 2
Open Stipulation Title Tournament Semi Final- Delirious vs Gran Akuma
A good, albeit short match with both men looking good. Akuma dominated a good part of the match, as he attacked Delirious before the bell and went right to work with kicks and submissions. Delirious had the crowd support, which seemed to infuriate Akuma, and Delirious made a big babyface comeback. While Akuma came very close to the win right at the end with the Oklahoma Stampede-Kick to the face combo, Delirious quickly fought back by countering a Falcon Arrow attempt into the Chemical Imbalance II which got three
Winner- Delirious
Rating- **1/2

Delirious offers Gran Akuma a handshake after the match, but Akuma kicks his hand away and kicks him in the face. He start beating down Delirious before his Chikara team (Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw and Eddie Kingston) mates run out and try to talk some sense into him. They manage to calm him down, but before they can leave the Kings of Wrestling and Josh Abercrombie run out and attack them, and the six man tag is on earlier than planned.

Match 3
Six Man Tag Team Warfare- The Kings Of Wrestling (Chris Hero, ‘Double C’ Claudio Castagnoli and Josh Abercrombie) vs The Chikarmy (‘Lightning’ Mike Quackenbush, Jigsaw and ‘The Last of A Dying Breed’ Eddie Kingston) w/Gran Akuma
While not an all out war, this ended up being a fast and extremely hard hitting six man match, producing quality wrestling very much in the mold of the Chikara six man tags. Chris Hero was doing everything possible to stay away from Eddie Kingston, but still let him know he was there by attacking him from behind and getting out of dodge before he could attack him. Kingston eventually got his hands on him late on in the match though. Jigsaw and Mike Quackenbush put all of their high flying moves to use, and The Kings of Wrestling just looked to ground their opponents with submissions. Kingston was just there to beat someone up: he was not in a good mood. Eventually, we would see Akuma run in to help Jigsaw, as Jigsaw held Abercrombie in place for a kick to the face, but Akuma missed Abercrombie and hat Jigsaw. Hero threw Akuma out of the ring, as Abercrombie used the Phoenix Splash on Jigsaw, and Hero locked in the Hangman’s Clutch for the submission win
Winner- The Kings of Wrestling
Rating- ***1/4

Kingston again went for Hero, who got out of the ring quickly along with his team mates. He was looking really angry and tense, and went right for the microphone.

“Chris Hero, if I can’t beat you up now then you can rest assured that I’ll knock you out when we meet next week. I’m going to end your career once and for all you piece of scum. But the truth is, I angry and I want to take that out on someone right now. So Low-Ki, get out here and let’s do this.”

Kingston’s Chikara team mates wish him luck before heading to the back, although it’s clearly visible that Akuma is berating Jigsaw for taking the loss, even though it was his fault. Low-Ki’s music hits and the crowd goes wild, as he makes his way to the ring for this tournament match.

Match 4
Open Stipulation Title Tournament Semi Final- Low-Ki vs ‘The King of Diamonds’ Eddie Kingston
A short and hard hitting war between two of the hardest strikers in Pro Wrestling Midwest. Kingston gave his absolute all to try and put Low-Ki down, but was clearly tired from the first match so wasn’t quite able to keep it up for as long. Low-Ki was fresh, and if your not 10% against him then you are going to pay, and Low-Ki showed no mercy as he kicked and chopped Kingston down like a tree. A Forearm exchange near the end of the match saw Kingston get the advantage, then he hit a Lariat for a near fall. Then an exchange of Kobashi esque chops in the corner saw Low-Ki get the advantage, and then Ki hat his Double Stomp while Kingston was tied up in the ropes. It only got two. Ki went up top and hat the GHETTO STOMP. 1-2-NO, KINGSTON KICKS OUT. He just won’t stay down. Low-Ki locks on the Dragon Clutch, and finally wears Kingston down. The ref checked his arm, and it dropped three times so Low-Ki wins by KO- ***

The fans give that match a standing ovation, and Low-Ki and Eddie Kingston shake hands as they clearly respect each other’s ability. I’d love to see a rematch with Kingston at 100%.

Match 5
Takeshi Morishima vs El Generico
Wow, what a match, this topped every expectation that I had and more. El Generico just seems to click with any man larger than he is, and this match proved to be no exception to the rule. Not only did Takeshi Morishima come out looking like an absolute killer, but Generico looked amazing for fighting back against what looked like an unstoppable foe. So basically this played out like your typical David vs Goliath match, with Generico going for speed and trying to wear the big man down, while Morishima just used his power to toss Generico around. Generico NAILED Morishima with one of the hardest Big Boots I’ve seen in the corner, but Morishima still catches Generico’s foot and uses a Powerbomb that gets TWO. Morishima went for the Backdrop Driver, but Generico flips over, then jumps onto Morishima shoulder and NAILS A SPIKE DDT. 1-2-NO, A 2.999. The crowd are on their feet, and begin chanting “Ole, Ole Ole Ole, Ole, Ole”, trying to drive Generico to the next round. Generico looks to hit the Brainbuster, but cant lift Morishima. Morishima reverses to the BACKDROP DRIVER. He lifts him up. LARIAT. 1-2-3. That was so much fun and an amazing showcase of both men’s abilities. The definite showstealer- ****

After the match, then fans give a huge round of applause, and chant for Morishima. Generico however gets a standing ovation from the fans, who start chanting his theme and cheering loudly. The two shake hands, and we can see that a new star has been born here tonight.

Sterling James Keenan is backstage is a darkly lit room. His ‘monster’ is standing behind him menacingly.

“So it seems like we are finally coming to the end of a road tonight, as we step into the ring for the final time with Ricochet and Chuck Taylor. But when one road ends, another road begins. We have plans to move forward once we finally get rid of you two annoyances. And believe me, tonight will be the end of Chuck Taylor and Ricochet, one way or another.

Allow me to send this message to you directly Ricochet. Don’t trust anyone my friend. Because when you do, it will be your downfall. You will stay down tonight, trust me, and it may not be because of my monster.”

Match 6
Grudge Tag Team Match- Ricochet and ‘Sexy’ Chuck Taylor vs Sterling James Keenan and The Monster
A good and far more competitive match than expected. Keenan kept out of the ring, letting his monster get in some early blows to wear down Ricochet. Of course when Ricochet was worn down Keenan had no problem getting into the ring to get some cheap shots in. However, Keenan got cocky, deciding to stay in the ring a little too long and Ricochet got some offense in on him, hitting a beautiful Tornado DDT, then made the tag to Chuck Taylor who was a house on fire. He knocks The Monster off the apron then goes right after Keenan who is begging off, but Taylor shows no mercy in going right after his opponent. Before Taylor could pick up the victory, The Monster grabs him and Body Presses him TO THE FLOOR. He goes after Ricochet. HUGE CHOKESLAM. 1-2-3. Taylor and Ricochet again fail to pick up the win- **3/4

After the match, Keenan and his Monster celebrate before leaving. Taylor looks very frustrated, then goes to Ricochet to help him up. He lifts his hand up, then CLOTHESLINES HIM! Chuck Taylor has snapped, although to be honest it’s been coming. He picks him up. OMEGA DRIVER! Chuck Taylor grabs a microphone.

“Ricochet, I’m sick and tired of carrying you on my shoulders. Every time I’ve tried to defeat Sterling James Keenan and his monster, I’ve asked for your help. And every single time you’ve let me down. Well, you won’t be letting me down again, because now I’ve dropped you I won’t ever have to be in the same ring as you ever again. I can now go after the one thing I desire, and that is the Open Stipulation Title.”

Chuck Taylor spits on Ricochet, then leaves. Ricochet is eventually helped to hit feet and to the back. I’m sure he will be looking for revenge soon enough. Will he be able to get it?

Dave Prazak is now backstage with Kevin Steen

Prazak- Hello, I have with me here the man who didn’t have to wrestle a semi-final match tonight, ‘Mr Wrestling’ Kevin Steen. What I must ask you Kevin Steen is your thoughts on three tough opponents tonight in Delirious, Low-Ki and Takeshi Morishima.

Steen- Tonight will be no problem for me Dave. I’m Canada’s finest, the best wrestler to have come from the north since the days of Bret Hart. Even if I did have to wrestle my semi-final match tonight, I would have won regardless. Matt Sydal screwing himself out of the tournament just makes it easier for me. Tonight, the title is coming home to the best wrestler on the planet, Mr Wrestling.

Prazak- And what stipulation will you defend the belt under if you do come out with the belt.

Steen- What do you mean IF. I WILL come out with the win tonight. And when I do win, I’m ready to take on all comers in regular match stipulations. I’m so brilliant that I don’t need any stupid stipulation to defend the belt. I can win any match regardless of the stipulation, regardless of the opponent and all the other stuff. I will have the longest title reign in pro wrestling history.

Prazak- Well, you certainly seem confident of a win here tonight, I’ll wish you good luck ahead of tonight’s match. But before that let’s head to the ring as we see a grudge tag team match featuring The Black and The Brave facing B-Boy and ‘The Anarchist’ Arik Cannon.

Match 7
The Black And The Brave (Tyler Black and Marek Brave) vs ‘The Anarchist’ Arik Cannon and ‘The New Age Punisher’ B-Boy
Excellent match, topping my expectations. It was clear that Arik Cannon and B-Boy meant business, attacking their opponents before the bell started and hitting them incredibly hard. Cannon and B-Boy isolated Marek Brave, with the crowd getting behind Brave to make the hot tag so we can see Arik Cannon and Tyler Black in the same ring once again. However, they did everything to keep that from happening, wearing down Brave as much as physically possible.
Brave however would make the tag after avoiding a Double Clothesline and hitting them with a Double Dropkick. Black was ready to go, taking B-Boy right out of the occasion with a Springboard Dropkick then going right for Cannon. He hat him with the Small Package Driver, but it only got two. He went for another, but Cannon reversed into a BACKDROP DRIVER, BUT TYLER’S ON HIS FEET. SECOND BACKDROP DRIVER. 1-2-NO, SO CLOSE.
Meanwhile B-Boy on the outside of the ring throws Brave into the barricade, then comes back into the ring. SHINING WIZARD AND GLIMMERING WARLOCK COMBO. 1-2-3. That was really good and well built, with the Cannon-Black exchanges being quite spectacular once again- ***1/2

After the match, Cannon and B-Boy continue to beatdown Tyler Black, but Marek Brave runs in with a chair to run them off. It’s clear this one is nowhere near being over.
Ian Rotten comes out and signs a rematch between these two teams for two weeks from now. What will we see when these two teams face off in the rematch.

Match 8
Main Event, No DQ Four Way Match For The Open Stipulation Title- Delirious vs Low-Ki vs Kevin Steen vs Takeshi Morishima
Fantastic main event, this was what it should have been: a complete war between these four individuals. The clear tension between Takeshi Morishima and Low-Ki was there, as these two had some strike exchanges that made me want to see more. Steen went for a smarter strategy of trying to wear down anyone he was in there with, although he wasn’t afraid to put some weaponry to use. Delirious was just his usual crazy self, although his act son wore off when he began to realise the seriousness of the situation.
The first elimination wasn’t who we expected. Takeshi Morishima looked like he was going to put Low-Ki out of the tournament early on, as he hat the Backdrop Driver on him. But as he signalled for the Lariat to end it, Shiima Xion ran out and leapt onto the apron. HAIRSPRAY TO THE FACE, SHIIMA XION MIGHT HAVE COST TAKESHI MORISHIMA THE BELT. Low-Ki is to his feet and to the top rope. GHETTO STOMP. 1-2-3. Arguably the favourite for this match is the first one eliminated.
After some hard hitting wrestling action, it would be Delirious that would be the next to go. Steen put him on a table, then came off the top rope with the Steensault which got three. We’re down to Low-Ki and Kevin Steen.
Steen and Low-Ki put on a good display of wrestling, with Low-Ki just trying to strike his way through Steen to the belt, while Steen began to play dirty and use everything he could to stop Low-Ki. But ultimately it would not be enough on this night, as despite two Package Piledriver’s, Low-Ki refused to stay down. Eventually he would hit Steen with the Ki Krusher, then go up top for a GHETTO STOMP. 1-2-3. Low-Ki has won the belt, and is the first ever Pro Wrestling Midwest Open Stipulation Champion- ****

After the match, Low-Ki celebrated to end the night, and who knows how long we will see this strong style wrestling machine on top of Pro Wrestling Midwest.

So that’s the show for this week. There are now some brand new questions coming out of this. How long will Low-Ki hold his newly won belt? What will Takeshi Morishima do to Shiima Xion for costing him the belt? And what will Eddie Kingston do to Chris Hero next week? How will Ricochet avenge the humiliation he suffered from Chuck Taylor turning on him? Will Azrieal or Larry Sweeney be out of a job this time next week? And what is up with Gran Akuma’s recent attitude problems towards his team mates, and now Delirious? All this and more will be answered in future episodes of Pro Wrestling Midwest TV.

And now we move on to next week’s card of action. Here is what to expect next week-

Next Week’s Pro Wrestling Midwest TV Lineup

Main Event- Chris Hero vs Eddie Kingston
Eddie Kingston and Chris Hero have once again proven that they simply can’t co-exist: they do not like each other, never have and they never will. They have had some very heated exchanges during the past month, and this will come to a head next week when they go one on one. Who will come out on top in the latest chapter in their feud?

Loser Leaves Pro Wrestling Midwest- ‘Sweet and Sour’ Larry Sweeney vs ‘The Good Guy’ Azrieal
This issue just seems to have popped up over night. Larry Sweeney made a few comments about Azrieal dropping the ball, then in a tag match last week it came to a head with these two costing each other a tag match, and a four way at The Final Four. Neither man has picked up a victory so far in the promotion. Now there will be one big winner and one big loser. Who will rise up the card and who will drop off it altogether?

Low-Ki’s Open Challenge
Low-Ki has decided to issue an open challenge to anyone to take him on in a regular stipulation match for the title. He has stated that his stipulation will be that there are no number one contenders: he will take on whoever is put in front of him. Someone will answer by next week, but who will it be? Will Low-Ki’s title reign be a short one, or will he make it through the first defense?

The Anarchistic Punishers (Arik Cannon and B-Boy) vs Canadian Violence (Kevin Steen and El Generico)
Here we have a showcase of what to expect from the Pro Wrestling Midwest tag team division. Cannon and B-Boy better not treat this as a warm-up, as Canadian Violence will soon pin them to the mat if they slip up for a second. Can Cannon and B-Boy gain some momentum ahead of their tag rematch with The Black and The Brave, or will they fall to the ‘violent Canadians’?

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