Episode #208 - Taped in New York/USA

Don Callis & Joe Rogan welcomes us to another epiode of Friday Night Pride, as Music cranks the speakers, and General Manager William Regal walks down to the ring, where he then announce to everyone, but especially The Pride Champion; Aaron Stevens, that last time he checked, he was the GM around here, and HE calls the shots. And threats does not affect the decisions that are being made regarding the future of The Pride Championship. Opposing the guys who pays your bills are never a good idea. Neither is the threat about jumping ships while holding championship gold. If Aaron Stevens wanna walk out of here, the door is right there! Just remember to leave behind that Pride Championship at the doorstep, because that second you decide to do something stupid like that, you will not only be stripped from the championship, but you will be historic, being the only champion in EAM's almost 17 years of existence, to be stripped of a title. That's really something to brag about huh? Oh well, guess it fits Stevens persona perfectly actually. Anyways, those are the actions that will be made, if Stevens decides to make an ass of himself. Music cranks the arena speakers then. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zim7J5u00yM . The Pride Champion walks out on the stage, to major booo's from the audience. He's not alone however, as he's followed by a bunch of guards, wearing Karate outfits and black headbands. What is this all about? Regal thanks Stevens for coming out hewre, but would much like to have him down here in the ring with him. Stevens explains then that he's real comfortable where he is, surrounded by his guards. Or entourage as he calls them. Stevens agree with defending the title against Mil on the upcoming PPV, however, with just one tiny detail added. Regal asks what and Stevens explains that usually on PRIDE's only PPV during the year, some people are granted a match who might just win them a chance to move up to the main brand right? Regal cannot disagree with this, asking what Stevens are going at? Stevens then explains to Regal that he thinks it's stupid that a mid-carder might get that chance, while the Pride Champion however, only gets the chance to defend his title, which is a minor title mind you, but does not get the chance to move up to Jamboree if he retains. Are you catching my drift William? Regal does, and he tells Aaron that how much he hates admitting it, Stevens't got a point. Not only that, but if Stevens actually might work miracles and retain against Mil, Regal wont have to put up with Stevens on a weekly basis anymore.... Regal then tell Stevens he's got a deal! We cut to the Pride vignette....

Makes sense building up to a match at Supersplash. Gimmick match I guess. Confusing ending though. Some stuff didn’t exactly make sense. Guess if he wins he goes to the main roster. I thought he would be the reason Pride shut down. Kind of weird he if he takes the title to main roster but makes sense to keep the title around if Pride is dying. Same with Heavy. Merge or retire titles maybe. Would be funny to see Sandow vs WALTER or even being forced to wrestle MJF could be fun.

8-Man Tag Team Elimination Matchup
The Fixers (Jay Bradley and Wrecking Ball Legursky) Vs FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dash Harwood) Vs Bear Country (Bear Bronson and Bear Boulder) Vs Varsity Blondes (Brian Pillman Jr. & Griff G.)

Lot of people in this one. Signature, finishing, high flying and spots from everyone. Dives over the top rope also onto each other. First team eliminated are FTR by Blondes. Out next are Fixers by Bear Country leaving two teams left. Back and forth action from the final two teams. Bear gets the pin on Blondes winning this match.

We go backstage where Alicia Atout are standing about to interview The Pride Tag Team Champions; Otis and Tucker, known to most wrestling fans as Heavy Machinery. When they are asked about what they think about the tag match that just took place, and who they think will get a shot at their tag titles at the upcoming Pride PPV, they reply by telling Alicia that whoever steps up will get the same treatment that everyone else has gotten. Besides, they have beaten them all, honestly, they really dont see anyone doing it. They have beaten Fan favorites, underdogs, the new guys on the block, they have even put down a couple of legendary tag teams along the way. So sure, if there is any team out there who thinks they got what it takes to beat Otis and Tucker, go ahead, they encourage it. Now you gotta excuse them, because they are about to ravage that foodstand before it closes for the night. We cut back to the ring for our next matchup...

No idea. They’ve beaten everybody. NWO?, DX?, who knows. Not sure if they should retire with the titles or technically they should lose them or maybe merge the titles with the main roster if Pride shuts down.

Singles Matchup
Odyssey Jones Vs Max Caster

The match ends in a double count out as Jones and Caster takes the match outside the ring, not caring about the referee's ten count. Jones puts Caster trough the barricade with a gore like manouver, and that's all she wrote. This rivalry/feud has been going on for some time now. Maybe it will end at the upcoming Pride PPV? We cut to commercials....

Looks like another match. Maybe a last man standing type gimmick.

Our main event for tonight is a special one indeed. All four of them are relative new arrivals on the Pride brand, but especially Eli Drake and Chad Gable has been after each other since they arrived. Sabian and Deppen however bears no personal grude against each other, but they have meet each other two times in singles competition since their arrival, where they have won win each. How will the team-up of these four turn up? Guess we are about to find out.

Tag Team Matchup
Eli Drake & Kip Sabian Vs Chad Gable & Tony Deppen

An okay main event but not the best talent. The future of wrestling looks terribly bleak if these four are the best we have. Some good spots from all involved though. Some double teaming spots also from them all. At the end of the match Gable gets the win after the military press wheelbarrow suplex.