Episode #215 - Taped in New York/USA
*** The Last Episode! - At least for now... ***
Show opens with a very humble GM William Regal in the ring. He cut's a small speech, talking about how awesome it has been to be a part of this project called Pride. He feel honored, privileged and humble. But everything has an end. And all of us needs to move forward. Because he can assure everyone, that even though this might seem weird, it's all done in your best interest as fans. The reason is really simple really. EAM management does not think they need a " training ground " anymore. What the future hold, nobody knows, but rest assure you, the spirit of this brand will live on. And to celebrate, five years of awesomness, we've got some goodies in store for you all on this special night. So, starting to get emotional here, he will leave the microphone to Mandy Leon, and he hopes everyone enjoys this last episode of friday night Pride. (At least for now)... But as Mandy is about to announce the competitors for our first match of the night, she gets interrupted, as music cranks the arena speakers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zim7J5u00yM . From massive boo's from the audience, Pride Champion; Aaron Stevens makes his comeback to the blue brand. Regal is not happy about this, and he even stops Stevens on her way down the rampway, asking what the hell Stevens think he is doing? He is not going to ruin this evening with his usual shenanigans and tomfoolery. But before Regal manage to confront Stevens further, he is distracted by a guy popping his head trough the Gorilla Position. He's shouting something about a car. Regal curses, then tells Stevens he will deal with him later, before running up the rampway up to the stage and heading for the back. Stevens on the other hand makes his way down to the ring. He grabs the microphone out of Mandy's hands before he arrogantly shushes her away, doing hand gestures to her, like she was a dog. Stevens cut's a promo, asking everyone if they are glad to see him? Offcourse they are... He talks about the life in the big leagues and how everybody wants a piece of their favorite wrestler. But he figured he should show up tonight, being Pride Champion and all. Showing some respect. Because this is very much like a funeral isn't it? He then goes on, talking about how EAM management keeps on harassing tEAM, and how he's scheduled to defend this title against Mick Foley, in a extreme rules match? He then goes on a rant, telling how he's gonna go to Brunei, and he does not need any help from his friends burying big ol' grandpa, Mick Foley. Oh no, he can manage all by himself. And you know what?! He's gonna bury this worthless piece of shit title together with him! Thanx for your attention everybody. Enjoy the rest of the funeral! Stevens drop the microphone then and leaves the ring, as we cut to the Pride vignette for the last time...
Was wondering what would happen to the title. Should be a bizarre match. Actually thought Mercer/Hook/Wardlow would win it from him. Makes sense if it changes or he gets rid of it though. Yes guess EAM doesn’t need a development anymore. All good things must come to an end. At least for now.
Don Callis & Joe Rogan welcomes us to episode #215 of Friday night Pride. And they cannot really fathom that this is the last episode. They can't really fathom what just happened either, and they really hope Mick crushes that little bug down in Brunei, because he's more annoying than Vickie Guerrero, and Roman Reigns! Combined! Rogan then informs us that this will not be the last they'll see of them, as they will be the commentator team for the upcoming MMA company that Emil A. is launching next year. They can also inform us that the teams of; Jeff Cobb & Will Hobbs, FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dash Harwood), Bear Country, Besties In The World (Davey Vega & Mat Fitchett) will all be offered contracts with Jamboree. Pride Tag Team Champions; Heavy Machinery, has already signed a Jamboree contract. The same goes for singles wrestlers; Oddyssey Jones, Chad Gable, Tony Deppen, Matthew Riddle and Pete Dunne. But enough talking for now. You all wanna see some wrestling right? So, tonights episode is a bit special, for more than one reason. You see, tonights card will contain matches between people who's had a big impact on the Pride brand over these five years. You can almost say that they built this house. This night will be historical for more than one reason as well. We hope you all enjoy! Mandy, take it away!
Nice to see all those names signed. Hopefully HOOK/WARDLOW and Mercer are safe also. Haha was just wondering what would happen to Joe and Callis awesome that they’ll still be around and signed. Crazy to think it’s been five years.
Singles Matchup
Emil Sitoci Vs Dalton Castle
Very emotional night that’s for sure. Solid match from both men and throughout the show we have alot of callbacks etc. At the end it is Sitoci that gets the win following a moonsault.
To introduce our next contestants, we have none-other than The Pride Tag Team Champions; Otis and Tucker; Heavy Machinery! They get a big pop from the audience offcourse, and they cut a small promo before going to work on introducing the next contestants for tonights show. They talk about how awesome it has been to represent this brand as champions, and how they will keep on doing so, until someone snatches these belts. Something that has seemed like an impossible task so far (not to brag) But enough about them. Up next is a clash between two teams that both has been Pride Tag Team Champions. But they never faced each other during each others reigns as champions.
Wonder what will happen to the Pride tag titles. Merger, name change, retired. Just have to wait and see.
Tag Team Matchup
Mustache Mountain (Trent Seven & Tyler Bate) Vs Private Party (Isiah Kassidy & Marq Quen)
Two classic teams of Pride. Solid match from the both of them. Back and forth, signature, finishing moves from all. Party get the win following the FROGSPLASH/SHOOTING STAR PRESS COMBO. They all celebrate together after the match getting teary-eyed.
We go backstage next, where we hook up with William Regal down in the parking lot basement. He reaches the place where he usually parks his car, only to once again find it empty. He curses in old english. He's so sick of this shit. He's almost lost count on how many times this has happened. Who the hell find this amusing? Regal turns around and find the answer to his question. He looks right into the grinning face of none other than Barry Allen Darsow. Better known to many as Smash, from Demolition. Regal is pretty aghast, and forgets for a second that he's bloody mad! When he regains his composure, he asks what the fuck is going on?! If this is supposed to be some sort of rib, Regal does not find it funny! He demands Barry to explain himself. Barry on the other hand caresses his vintage rope with a hook on the end, while grinning. He tells Regal that this was the only way he could think of to get Regal's attention. Regal gets quite annoyed by this, saying that he could have knocked on his office door, if it was something he wanted to tell him. What's he doing here anyway? Except for making Regals life a misery? Robbing him for money each time he has to bail out his car? Barry says he's sorry, but it was for called for, you know, to make it more dramatic. After all, we are in the wrestling business aren't we? Regal starts to get really annoyed at this point. And he tells Barry he gets 10 seconds to tell what the hell he wants! Get one with it already! Barry then goes on, saying stuff like " We are not that different you and I ", and " He never got the recognition he deserved etc. " Regal stops him then, calling bullshit. What about Demolition? Aint it counted as one of the greatest tag teams in WWE history? Huh?! Barry says he does not know what Regal is talking about. He's never heard of this Demolition or Smash. He's The Repo Man, and now he wants Regal to book him for a match at the upcoming PPV in Brunei. Regal asks if he's thought of a opponent as well? Repo Man grins, saying that actually he has. A guy who also never got the recognition he deserved. And on top of that, he's got a seious bunch of parking tickets he needs to pay off somehow.... We cut to commercials...
What the fuck. I thought this was connected to Pride shutting down but it’s Smash hahah. Very random and strange. Then thought it was Demolition vs Heavy and I wouldn’t call them one of the best tag teams in WWE history!. I actually think they both just retired in 2017 and I had no idea Smash was Repo Man. Not a clue until now wow. Crush also of course was in Demolition. Brian Adams a.k.a fake Undertaker. Very unusual and big storyline for such a random match haha.
Two returning stars are up next, as former Pride Champion Trevor Lee are about to square off against another former Pride Champion in Velveteen Dream.
Singles Matchup
Trevor Lee Vs Velveteen Dream
Dream gets a mixed reaction obviously. Lee was one of the best to do it in Pride. Back and forth. Possible show stealing match, hard to even remember some of moves these guys even did. Dream Machine also. At the end of the match Lee with a moonsault crossbody gets the win.
As the show is coming to an end, all the people in the audience are standing up. They are chanting and clapping their hands. It's quite surreal to be honest. It's the end of an era. Suddenly, music cranks the arena speakers. The audience goes hogwild!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgzTMmhiGKs . Out on the stage walks reDRagon (Kyle O’Reilly & Bobby Fish) together with Adam Cole. It's been months since last time we saw them in EAM Promotions. They make their way down to the ring where they cut a promo, telling everyone that they felt they had to be here for this. Music then suddenly cranks the arena speakers again, and the lights in the arena goes out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDfSvioQSko . The audience goes berserk again! Prince Devitt makes his way out on the stage. (reDragon was the first ever Pride Tag Team Champions. But as we all know, both Kyle O'Reilly and Prince Devitt are also former Pride Champions. In fact, Prince Devitt was the first ever Pride Champion) Devitt gets the biggest pop of the night. But he's not alone. Out on the stage, on each side of Devitt comes The Young Bucks. What is gonna happen next? The three makes their way down the ramp together. Cole, O'Reilley and Fish are standing in the ring. In less than a minute, we have reDragon and Cole on one side of the ring, and Prince Devitt with The Young Bucks on the other side of the ring.... They are standing on opposite sides, staring at each other. It's almost like time stands still for a couple of seconds. Then the music fades out, and is switched with the roar from the fans in attendance. This is one epic moment for sure. Still just a stare off between the six men. There is tension allright.... Then they go at each other! All six men clashes together in the middle of the ring, from a the roaring crescendo of fans chanting. Then the scene goes black.
The broadcast got cut.... all that is left is pitch black darkness, and the sound of a throbbing heart...But then even that's gone. All that is left are the darkness. The void. This is the end....
Holy shit what an ending. Actually got emotional for a second. Old references and callbacks. Thohght they were gonna celebrate together at first or set up a six man tag match. Bucks of course involved in a feud with Heavy right now. Also thought it was gonna build up the Bullet Club match at Grandslam. Very clever ending. Like Sopranos ending almost. Continuing things on forever and the heartbeat still giving life to Pride before it finally ends and we cut to black…
