Post by Avery Quinn on Aug 20, 2017 14:27:25 GMT -5
The crowd opens up on a sold out Charles E. Smith center in Washington D.C. where plenty of American flags are being waved along with signs of every competitor being held high. As we get to ringside even the ropes are red, white, and blue for this festive affair. At ringside a few SAP roster members are in the crowd including The Reeds, Heidi Thompson, and Mitch Parker. The camera then goes to the announce table where Jackson, Judd, and Chris are sitting.
Jackson: Hello everyone! Here we are the final day of the group stage of the Great American Grand Prix right here in our nation’s capital!
Judd: D.C. is bumping tonight as this is the big one right before “North by North Atlantic”. The lines have been drawn and let's go over who still has a chance in this thing. In Block A if Masaru Inoue beats Nora Harris in the opening match then he has won the block. If he loses then it comes down to Xavier Laroux and Vince Steel in a winner takes all situation. For Block B if Annie Zellor wins her match against Felix Vialpando and Izzy Anders loses hers then Annie wins Block B. If Izzy wins or draws against Tommy Evans then she wins Block B.
Jackson: It has come down to the wire for these five people and soon enough we will know who is headed to the semifinals. After that the winner will have a tough road ahead against Brandon Banks. Right now let's get to the ring and find out the fate of Block A!
________________________________________
Masaru Inoue vs. Nora Harris
Masaru started the match by being as extra creepy as possible. This match was huge for him as he knew he held the tiebreaker in Block A and a win here guaranteed him a slot in the semi-finals. Nora may have been eliminated from the tournament days ago but that doesn't mean she wasn't here to put up a fight. The last thing she wanted was to end the tournament without a win. Masaru used his size and experience to try and wear down the young Nora. However she was using her speed to evade Masaru while able to catch him with things here and there. As the match went on it was becoming evident that Inoue may have had the most brutal matches of the tournament in succession and it was clearly getting to him. He couldn't catch Nora when she was getting in close. The crowd was also supporting Harris as she had become a fan favorite over the week. Inoue went for a last burst of offensive and he managed to do a bit of damage. He went for “Kill Shot” (knee strike to the neck) but Nora managed to evade it. She then quickly put two fingers to her lips and caught Masaru with the “Code of Silence” (spinning fallaway ddt). Nora went for the cover and the crowd chanted along as she got the three count. The building erupted and the chant soon began “when I first said I loved only you Nora, and you said you loved only me”. She then exited the ring and jumped into the crowd. Celebrating her big win with them.
Winner: Nora Harris
_________________________________________
Felix Vialpando vs. Annie Zellor
Felix tried to put this one to bed early as he attacked Annie before the bell even went off. Felix used a series of strong strikes followed up by some suplex combinations and thought he had this all taken care of. He went for a cover but Zellor showed her heart and kicked out. Felix argued with the ref for a moment before turning his attention back to Zellor who caught him with a shot to the breadbasket and decided to take her turn on offense. Annie used her speed and agility to land some spectacular moves on Vialpando which she capped off with her “Rotten to the Core” signature. She then went for a cover herself only for Felix to kick out this time. Annie stayed on the offensive and put Felix in position for “Rough ‘n’ Tumble”. As she went for the kick Felix grabbed her legs. He then stood up and placed one leg on either side of him and dropped backwards to the mat catching Annie’s throat on the ropes. Vialpando took a breather for a moment before going right back to work on the International tag team champion. Felix finished up a striking combo with a superman punch that had him sure that this was the end. Felix went for the cover but again Annie would not go down. Vialpando started to get mouthy with the ref and pulled Annie up. Telling the crowd that this was it. He lifted her up for the “Falcon Call” (omega driver) but on the way down Annie found separation and was able to break free and land on her feet. Felix was still in a sitting position and paid for it as Annie drove an incredibly stiff knee into his face. Vialpando fell flat to the mat and Annie wasted no time scaling to the top rope to connect with “Ode to Smurf” (shooting star press). She hooked both legs and got the victory.
Winner: Annie Zellor
_________________________________________
Bloody Mary vs. Adalynn Duncan
The bell rang and Adalynn came out of her corner like a bat out of hell with a spinning heel kick that caught Mary before she ever left her corner. Duncan’s heel caught Mary in the right spot and split open her cut from the night before. Addy got to her feet a ball of fury and started throwing hard strikes to Mary. Mary shoved her hard causing Addy to roll backwards across the ring. Duncan got right back up and charged Mary but Mary wiped her fingers across her forehead to collect blood and flicked it into the eyes of Adalynn. Addy stopped dead in her tracks as she was unable to see and a fan at ringside nearly threw up. Mary used her change to club the hell out of Addy’s back before lifting her up for a gutbuster. Mary scraped her boot across the face of Duncan but this only seemed to make her mad she got to her feet and began to slug it out with Mary. This only worked in Adalynn’s favor as it caused Mary’s blood to flow harder which was impairing her vision. Addy figured this was the time to go all or nothing and whipped Mary into the corner. Adalynn followed and connected with a brutal “No Doubt” (roaring elbow). Mary dropped into the corner and Duncan pulled her out for the cover and the three count.
Winner: Adalynn Duncan
_________________________________________
Izzy Anders vs. Tommy Evans
Tommy knew by this point he is eliminated from the tournament but he also knew that he could play the same role Nora Harris did earlier as spoiler. As the bell rang Anders showed no jitters or any other signs of nervousness as she entered the match that could clinch her a shot in the semifinals. In the opening of the match Tommy stuck to the things he was good at. Unfortunately for him Izzy is good at the same things. The two shared a few exchanges which had the crowd lighting up. Tommy started to work into a grove and caught Izzy with his “Warning shot” superkick. Anders knowing she was vulnerable powdered to the outside where she came nearly face to face with Annie Zellor. Annie had made her way through the crowd to the front to watch the match. Knowing this decided her fate in the tournament. Anders told Annie to get out of here and when she turned around she was caught with a suicide dive by Evans. Anders went flying back into Annie and then the crowd. Evans went after her and the two brawled a bit but Izzy kept an eye on the count and broke free from Evans to roll in at 16. Evans got onto the apron and went for a diving hurricanrana but as soon as his legs hit Izzy’s shoulders she quickly dropped him with a sitout powerbomb. The ref made the count but Tommy kicked out at 2. From there Izzy began to take control of the match. She used her lightning kicks to really slow Tommy down and take the wind out of his sails. Tommy started to surge again later in the match and was starting to pile on some brutal strikes. However he got cut off by a stiff knee strike to the gut followed by “Shotgun Party” (small package driver). Izzy went for the cover and got the three count. As she stood up she yelled out to Annie to have better luck next time.
Winner: Izzy Anders
_________________________________________
Xavier Laroux vs. Vince Steel
The crowd was absolutely wild as this match became the de facto Block A. Even Phoenix Quagliaterre made her way out to ringside to catch this match first hand. As the bell rang neither man immediately made it out from their corners. Instead it was a slow feeling out process. Each man trying to figure out how much damage his opponent has acquired during the week. Vince started the first real offensive as he worked Laroux into a corner. However it may not have worked the way he wanted it too as Xavier immediately started working the ribs of Steel. Ribs that were compromised in “No Man’s Land”. Laroux worked his way out of the corner and Steel began to cover up his sides. Xavier when to whip Vince but the big man prevented that. Vince then tried to lay into Xavier with a few punches followed by a backbreaker. Steel kept the pressure on Laroux for as long as he could till Xavier got free and drove a hard knee into the ribs of Steel from behind. Xavier tried whipping Vince again and this time got it. As Steel rebounded Xavier got him with a hard kitchen sink knee that actually sent Steel flipping over. Xavier saw his shot and wasn't going leave the opportunity. He got a running start and caught Steel with “The Addiction” (running knee strike between the eyes of a seated opponent). As Xavier drops to go for the cover Arnaud Smirnov jumps up on the apron distracting the referee. Phoenix goes to run in but is grabbed from behind by Bernhardt. Xavier gets up and sees Smirnov. Asmodeus Bael then slides into the ring. Phoenix yells out to Xavier who turns around to catch a roundhouse kick from Bael. He then picks him up and delivers “Decension” (Emerald flowsion KAI). Bael then slides out of the ring and Smirnov drops from the apron. The head Phe’s way but she breaks free from Bernhardt and drives a hard knee into his groin that sends him to the floor. She then pushes Chris Wintermute out of his seat and takes his chair in her hands. Bael calls them off and they disappear into the crowd. Inside the ring however Steel has stirred and so has Xavier. Steel just manages to react first and grabs hold of Xavier and lifts him into the air with the “Hand of Steel” (iron claw slam). Steel then goes for the cover and gets the three count. The crowd isn't too happy with the outcome and voices it loudly. Phoenix slides into the ring to check on Xavier. Even Gabe and Jess make their way from the back to the ring. On the outside The Reeds who have been in the front for the whole show burst out laughing. This catches the attention of Phoenix who tells them in her own works to shut up which only fuels them more. Phoenix only let's it go when Xavier starts to stir and he gets up on his own power to a pop from the crowd and heads to the back.
Winner: Vince Steel
_________________________________________
Rachel Redding vs. Ashley Maldano
The match started out quick as Redding hit a dropkick from the get go that sent Maldano back into the ropes that she used to rebound and catch Redding with a lariat as she got to her feet. The crowd was loving it as these two just kept going back and forth on each other. For every move that Redding hit Ashley would have one in return. These women were showing that they were more than capable of closing out the week. Rachel thought she had Ashley in the corner as she was stomping a mud hole into her but then Maldano countered with a nasty headbutt. Ashley then tossed Redding into the corner and gave her a bronco buster. Maldano then went to the top rope and hit the first impact move of the match with her signature flying clothesline. Ashley went for a cover but Redding kicked out at two. Ashley put Redding in a chin lock and tried to wear her down but Rachel hit the ropes. Ashley then went for a double underhook sitout facebuster but Rachel countered it by freeing one arm and then taking Ashley over with a fireman’s carry before laying stomps on her entire body. The match and the week was starting to take its toll on them as exhaustion was starting to set in. Maldano was looking to take it home as she connected with “stay WOKE” (Turnbuckle handstand transitioned into a frankensteiner). She then lifted Rachel up looking for the AshAttack (Gory Neckbreaker) but Rachel broke free and kicked Ashley’s leg out dropping her to a knee. She then headed right for the ropes and rebounded to catch Maldano with the “Category 1” (V trigger). Redding dropped on top of Maldano for a cover and got the three count.
Winner: Rachel Redding
_________________________________________
Jackson: And there it is everyone the semifinals have been set it will be Vince Steel facing off against Izzy Anders.
Judd: Steel may have won in questionable fashion but it wasn't his intention to win that way. Now he has to take on a game Izzy Anders who may have performed the best out of anyone in the group stage. From there it's on to the main event against Brandon Banks in the final for the Great American title, $250,000, and a guaranteed shot at the National championship.
Jackson: Ladies and gentlemen I would like to thank all of you who have spent all week with us. This was truly a historic moment in SAP history and there's no one I would have rather shared it with. We will see you all Sunday night for “North By North Atlantic” in Saratoga!
_________________________________________
Final Standings
Block A
Vince Steel - 8pts
Xavier Laroux - 6pts
Masaru Inoue - 6pts
Adalynn Duncan - 6pts
Bloody Mary - 2pts
Nora Harris - 2pts
Block B
Izzy Anders - 8pts
Annie Zellor - 7pts
Rachel Redding - 5pts
Felix Vialpando - 4pts
Ashley Maldano - 4pts
Tommy Evans - 2pts
Jackson: Hello everyone! Here we are the final day of the group stage of the Great American Grand Prix right here in our nation’s capital!
Judd: D.C. is bumping tonight as this is the big one right before “North by North Atlantic”. The lines have been drawn and let's go over who still has a chance in this thing. In Block A if Masaru Inoue beats Nora Harris in the opening match then he has won the block. If he loses then it comes down to Xavier Laroux and Vince Steel in a winner takes all situation. For Block B if Annie Zellor wins her match against Felix Vialpando and Izzy Anders loses hers then Annie wins Block B. If Izzy wins or draws against Tommy Evans then she wins Block B.
Jackson: It has come down to the wire for these five people and soon enough we will know who is headed to the semifinals. After that the winner will have a tough road ahead against Brandon Banks. Right now let's get to the ring and find out the fate of Block A!
________________________________________
Masaru Inoue vs. Nora Harris
Masaru started the match by being as extra creepy as possible. This match was huge for him as he knew he held the tiebreaker in Block A and a win here guaranteed him a slot in the semi-finals. Nora may have been eliminated from the tournament days ago but that doesn't mean she wasn't here to put up a fight. The last thing she wanted was to end the tournament without a win. Masaru used his size and experience to try and wear down the young Nora. However she was using her speed to evade Masaru while able to catch him with things here and there. As the match went on it was becoming evident that Inoue may have had the most brutal matches of the tournament in succession and it was clearly getting to him. He couldn't catch Nora when she was getting in close. The crowd was also supporting Harris as she had become a fan favorite over the week. Inoue went for a last burst of offensive and he managed to do a bit of damage. He went for “Kill Shot” (knee strike to the neck) but Nora managed to evade it. She then quickly put two fingers to her lips and caught Masaru with the “Code of Silence” (spinning fallaway ddt). Nora went for the cover and the crowd chanted along as she got the three count. The building erupted and the chant soon began “when I first said I loved only you Nora, and you said you loved only me”. She then exited the ring and jumped into the crowd. Celebrating her big win with them.
Winner: Nora Harris
_________________________________________
Felix Vialpando vs. Annie Zellor
Felix tried to put this one to bed early as he attacked Annie before the bell even went off. Felix used a series of strong strikes followed up by some suplex combinations and thought he had this all taken care of. He went for a cover but Zellor showed her heart and kicked out. Felix argued with the ref for a moment before turning his attention back to Zellor who caught him with a shot to the breadbasket and decided to take her turn on offense. Annie used her speed and agility to land some spectacular moves on Vialpando which she capped off with her “Rotten to the Core” signature. She then went for a cover herself only for Felix to kick out this time. Annie stayed on the offensive and put Felix in position for “Rough ‘n’ Tumble”. As she went for the kick Felix grabbed her legs. He then stood up and placed one leg on either side of him and dropped backwards to the mat catching Annie’s throat on the ropes. Vialpando took a breather for a moment before going right back to work on the International tag team champion. Felix finished up a striking combo with a superman punch that had him sure that this was the end. Felix went for the cover but again Annie would not go down. Vialpando started to get mouthy with the ref and pulled Annie up. Telling the crowd that this was it. He lifted her up for the “Falcon Call” (omega driver) but on the way down Annie found separation and was able to break free and land on her feet. Felix was still in a sitting position and paid for it as Annie drove an incredibly stiff knee into his face. Vialpando fell flat to the mat and Annie wasted no time scaling to the top rope to connect with “Ode to Smurf” (shooting star press). She hooked both legs and got the victory.
Winner: Annie Zellor
_________________________________________
Bloody Mary vs. Adalynn Duncan
The bell rang and Adalynn came out of her corner like a bat out of hell with a spinning heel kick that caught Mary before she ever left her corner. Duncan’s heel caught Mary in the right spot and split open her cut from the night before. Addy got to her feet a ball of fury and started throwing hard strikes to Mary. Mary shoved her hard causing Addy to roll backwards across the ring. Duncan got right back up and charged Mary but Mary wiped her fingers across her forehead to collect blood and flicked it into the eyes of Adalynn. Addy stopped dead in her tracks as she was unable to see and a fan at ringside nearly threw up. Mary used her change to club the hell out of Addy’s back before lifting her up for a gutbuster. Mary scraped her boot across the face of Duncan but this only seemed to make her mad she got to her feet and began to slug it out with Mary. This only worked in Adalynn’s favor as it caused Mary’s blood to flow harder which was impairing her vision. Addy figured this was the time to go all or nothing and whipped Mary into the corner. Adalynn followed and connected with a brutal “No Doubt” (roaring elbow). Mary dropped into the corner and Duncan pulled her out for the cover and the three count.
Winner: Adalynn Duncan
_________________________________________
Izzy Anders vs. Tommy Evans
Tommy knew by this point he is eliminated from the tournament but he also knew that he could play the same role Nora Harris did earlier as spoiler. As the bell rang Anders showed no jitters or any other signs of nervousness as she entered the match that could clinch her a shot in the semifinals. In the opening of the match Tommy stuck to the things he was good at. Unfortunately for him Izzy is good at the same things. The two shared a few exchanges which had the crowd lighting up. Tommy started to work into a grove and caught Izzy with his “Warning shot” superkick. Anders knowing she was vulnerable powdered to the outside where she came nearly face to face with Annie Zellor. Annie had made her way through the crowd to the front to watch the match. Knowing this decided her fate in the tournament. Anders told Annie to get out of here and when she turned around she was caught with a suicide dive by Evans. Anders went flying back into Annie and then the crowd. Evans went after her and the two brawled a bit but Izzy kept an eye on the count and broke free from Evans to roll in at 16. Evans got onto the apron and went for a diving hurricanrana but as soon as his legs hit Izzy’s shoulders she quickly dropped him with a sitout powerbomb. The ref made the count but Tommy kicked out at 2. From there Izzy began to take control of the match. She used her lightning kicks to really slow Tommy down and take the wind out of his sails. Tommy started to surge again later in the match and was starting to pile on some brutal strikes. However he got cut off by a stiff knee strike to the gut followed by “Shotgun Party” (small package driver). Izzy went for the cover and got the three count. As she stood up she yelled out to Annie to have better luck next time.
Winner: Izzy Anders
_________________________________________
Xavier Laroux vs. Vince Steel
The crowd was absolutely wild as this match became the de facto Block A. Even Phoenix Quagliaterre made her way out to ringside to catch this match first hand. As the bell rang neither man immediately made it out from their corners. Instead it was a slow feeling out process. Each man trying to figure out how much damage his opponent has acquired during the week. Vince started the first real offensive as he worked Laroux into a corner. However it may not have worked the way he wanted it too as Xavier immediately started working the ribs of Steel. Ribs that were compromised in “No Man’s Land”. Laroux worked his way out of the corner and Steel began to cover up his sides. Xavier when to whip Vince but the big man prevented that. Vince then tried to lay into Xavier with a few punches followed by a backbreaker. Steel kept the pressure on Laroux for as long as he could till Xavier got free and drove a hard knee into the ribs of Steel from behind. Xavier tried whipping Vince again and this time got it. As Steel rebounded Xavier got him with a hard kitchen sink knee that actually sent Steel flipping over. Xavier saw his shot and wasn't going leave the opportunity. He got a running start and caught Steel with “The Addiction” (running knee strike between the eyes of a seated opponent). As Xavier drops to go for the cover Arnaud Smirnov jumps up on the apron distracting the referee. Phoenix goes to run in but is grabbed from behind by Bernhardt. Xavier gets up and sees Smirnov. Asmodeus Bael then slides into the ring. Phoenix yells out to Xavier who turns around to catch a roundhouse kick from Bael. He then picks him up and delivers “Decension” (Emerald flowsion KAI). Bael then slides out of the ring and Smirnov drops from the apron. The head Phe’s way but she breaks free from Bernhardt and drives a hard knee into his groin that sends him to the floor. She then pushes Chris Wintermute out of his seat and takes his chair in her hands. Bael calls them off and they disappear into the crowd. Inside the ring however Steel has stirred and so has Xavier. Steel just manages to react first and grabs hold of Xavier and lifts him into the air with the “Hand of Steel” (iron claw slam). Steel then goes for the cover and gets the three count. The crowd isn't too happy with the outcome and voices it loudly. Phoenix slides into the ring to check on Xavier. Even Gabe and Jess make their way from the back to the ring. On the outside The Reeds who have been in the front for the whole show burst out laughing. This catches the attention of Phoenix who tells them in her own works to shut up which only fuels them more. Phoenix only let's it go when Xavier starts to stir and he gets up on his own power to a pop from the crowd and heads to the back.
Winner: Vince Steel
_________________________________________
Rachel Redding vs. Ashley Maldano
The match started out quick as Redding hit a dropkick from the get go that sent Maldano back into the ropes that she used to rebound and catch Redding with a lariat as she got to her feet. The crowd was loving it as these two just kept going back and forth on each other. For every move that Redding hit Ashley would have one in return. These women were showing that they were more than capable of closing out the week. Rachel thought she had Ashley in the corner as she was stomping a mud hole into her but then Maldano countered with a nasty headbutt. Ashley then tossed Redding into the corner and gave her a bronco buster. Maldano then went to the top rope and hit the first impact move of the match with her signature flying clothesline. Ashley went for a cover but Redding kicked out at two. Ashley put Redding in a chin lock and tried to wear her down but Rachel hit the ropes. Ashley then went for a double underhook sitout facebuster but Rachel countered it by freeing one arm and then taking Ashley over with a fireman’s carry before laying stomps on her entire body. The match and the week was starting to take its toll on them as exhaustion was starting to set in. Maldano was looking to take it home as she connected with “stay WOKE” (Turnbuckle handstand transitioned into a frankensteiner). She then lifted Rachel up looking for the AshAttack (Gory Neckbreaker) but Rachel broke free and kicked Ashley’s leg out dropping her to a knee. She then headed right for the ropes and rebounded to catch Maldano with the “Category 1” (V trigger). Redding dropped on top of Maldano for a cover and got the three count.
Winner: Rachel Redding
_________________________________________
Jackson: And there it is everyone the semifinals have been set it will be Vince Steel facing off against Izzy Anders.
Judd: Steel may have won in questionable fashion but it wasn't his intention to win that way. Now he has to take on a game Izzy Anders who may have performed the best out of anyone in the group stage. From there it's on to the main event against Brandon Banks in the final for the Great American title, $250,000, and a guaranteed shot at the National championship.
Jackson: Ladies and gentlemen I would like to thank all of you who have spent all week with us. This was truly a historic moment in SAP history and there's no one I would have rather shared it with. We will see you all Sunday night for “North By North Atlantic” in Saratoga!
_________________________________________
Final Standings
Block A
Vince Steel - 8pts
Xavier Laroux - 6pts
Masaru Inoue - 6pts
Adalynn Duncan - 6pts
Bloody Mary - 2pts
Nora Harris - 2pts
Block B
Izzy Anders - 8pts
Annie Zellor - 7pts
Rachel Redding - 5pts
Felix Vialpando - 4pts
Ashley Maldano - 4pts
Tommy Evans - 2pts