Pride of Puroresu Crown - Day Six

[James Peterson]

PRIDE OF PURORESU CROWN
DAY SIX: GROUP B

Kyo Natsumi vs. Shiro Ibushi

The first match of the night would have an explosive start with Kyo and Ibushi exchanging shots in the middle of the ring, testing each other's striking ability as the fans watched in amazement. Natsumi would then lock Ibushi in a side headlock, slamming him to the canvas. Body scissors by Ibushi and Natsumi would kip up, the two racing to their feet and Ibushi greeting Natsumi with an uppercut into the corner. Kick to the mid section, thigh, forearm to the face, bringing him to the ropes and Irish whip to the opposite set, Natsumi bouncing back and hitting Ibushi with a lariat, but Ibushi kicked out.  Natsumi nodded his head, bringing Ibushi back up to his feet and leaning him against the corner. He'd deliver three backhanded strikes to the chest, each following the other in quick succession before flipping Ibushi into a seated position, knee to the back and locking him in a chin lock. Ibushi would use the energy of the fans to get himself back up to his feet, pushing Natsumi into the ropes, who'd come back and shoulder barge him to the canvas. Natsumi would then relentless stomp on Ibushi, with rare boo's for Natsumi echoing through the arena, the fans seeing a different side to Natsumi. 

Picking Ibushi up by his hair he lifted him up into a vertical suplex position but Ibushi would find his way down, open palm strike to the face, shoot kick to the thigh, taking off to the ropes and ducking under a lariat attempt, greeting Natsumi with a snap Dragon suplex, to the applause of the fans. Ibushi would rise to his feet and Natsumi was out on the apron, using the ropes to help himself up. Ibushi came flying off, drop kick to the chest of Natsumi who went crashing on the outside. Ibushi would then latch onto the ropes and look to plancha on Natsumi but he moved out the way. Luckily for Ibushi he landed on his feet but as he turned he was met with another impactful lariat that sent him flipping inside out for a second time in the match! Natsumi needed to make a statement and he was doing that through his actions. Picking Ibushi up by his hair, he rolled him into the ring and joined him, pin attempt, no prevail. Ibushi rolled to the corner, using the ropes to help himself up whilst Natsumi watched, waiting for the right time to make a move. He ran toward him, Ibushi moved out of the way - Natsumi connected with the corner, turning, roundhouse kick by Ibushi, who then followed this with a double palm strike to the chest! Natsumi clutched his chest but not for long as Ibushi grabbed him, body to body suplex, ran toward him afterward, standing shoot star press. Getting back up to his feet, he'd raised the energy levels in the arena and he pointed to the heavens, grabbing Natsumi, front head lock, springboard off of the ropes and planting his head hard on the canvas to secure the win!

Winner: Shiro Ibushi (07:23)

[James Peterson]

Mitsuo Shimada vs. Seifer Black

Shimada wins due to Seifer Black's inability to continue.

Amis Shelton vs. Chris Madison

Shelton and Madison would shake hands before the contest began. Once the bell rang however, the two men would lock horns fiercely with intent to hurt one another. Madison would use his strength to force Shelton into a corner, knee's to the mid section would follow and Shelton would struggle to breath as he was winded by the knee's. Madison would let go and walk back to the center of the ring, Shelton stumbling over to him and Madison dropping him with a standard scoop slam. He would then keep him grounded, headlock locked in tight and he wasn't prepared to let go. Shelton would reach for the ropes and refuse to quit, finally managing to reach the ropes. Madison would then stomp on his back before picking him back up by his trunks and Irish whip, reversed, Madison bounced back and shoulder barge to Shelton. Took off to the ropes himself, bounced back and Shelton was up quick, drop kick to the chest of Madison. Amis had finally found his foot in the match and he wasn't prepared to let it go. Picking Madison back up, he arm wrenched and brought his arm in behind for a hammerlock. Madison would elbow with his free arm to force Shelton to release the hold. Madison would grab him, looking for a belly to belly but Shelton would hook a leg round his, forcing himself down, forearm to the mid section and Madison would release him. 

Following this, Shelton greeted Madison with a flurry of forearm strikes before taking off to the ropes and coming back, hurricanrana connecting! Madison landed on the canvas and rolled over to the corner, surprised - he used the ropes to help himself up, Shelton running over to him, back elbow into the corner before performing a bulldog on Madison. Shelton would rise to his feet and embrace the cheers of the crowd. Shelton would then rely on his technical wrestling to see through the match, boston crab hold being locked in with Madison struggling to reach for the ropes. Shelton would tighten the hold as much as he could but it wouldn't stop Madison from reaching the ropes eventually. Shelton would sigh, knowing that he would have to keep Madison grounded for the rest of the match, keep wearing him down. Despite this, Shelton felt the need for a risky move. Climbing to the top rope and turning around, a moonsault in bound! Once he leaped backwards, Madison rose to his feet but Shelton landed on his feet, running to each other - Madison would connect with low kicks to the thigh and followed this with a flying knee strike. 

Rolling to the apron went Shelton and Madison would pick him up whilst he was still in the ring, bringing him back into the ring in a vertical suplex fashion but would instead land a brainbuster on Shelton, covering him but to no prevail. Madison would rely on his submission expertise, calf crusher being locked in with the face of Amis Shelton lighting up like a lighthouse as he pounded the canvas with his fist - not as a tap out, but out of frustration as he reached for the ropes. In this rare moment, the fans were on the side of Amis Shelton who was showing great restraint, every time he was close to the ropes, Madison would bring him back to a central position. Shelton remained strong, and would eventually reach the ropes! Madison would then target his right leg, specifically his calf. Kick to the calves whilst he was down, Shelton wincing in pain. Madison would roll to his feet and wipe the sweat coming down his forehead, remaining calm and composed. He brought Shelton back up to his feet, hammerlock suplex! He wasn't finished there though. Bringing Shelton back up, Irish whip to the ropes - popping him up, codebreaker following! He would then cover him but Shelton would once again burst a shoulder up. 

To the outside Shelton went and Madison looked at the fans who urged him to do something special. He remained calm, not showing any expression on his face as he turned back to Shelton, ran to the ropes but Shelton was back in the ring as he bounced back, SUPERKICK! Madison bell backwards, seated position and Shelton would then perform a basement drop kick. Grabbing Madison and bringing him back up to his feet, fireman carry position - neckbreaker! He would cover him but Madison would kick out. Applause rang through the arena and Shelton buried his head in his hands, honestly believing that he had secured his first win of the series against one of the favorites. He shook his head, picking Madison up - shinbreaker, and climbed to the ropes. This time, he managed to land the moonsault and hooked the legs of Madison afterward, but once again he kicked out! Shelton got himself on the apron and would position himself, Madison rose, Shelton slingshot his way back into the ring looking for a spear, Madison caught him and quickly turned, sitout spinebuster connecting - one, the two but not the three! 

"Mayhem" Madison rose to his feet and signaled the end of the match, looking for the Peruvian Necktie but Shelton would avoid. Shelton would rise to his feet, catching Madison would a drop kick that sent the Pride champion launching backwards into the ropes, coming off of them and Yakuza kick to Shelton. Madison would then lock Shelton in his Peruvian Necktie submission, with Shelton having no choice but to tap out!

Once Madison had left the ring, Shelton rose to his feet and was met with a standing ovation, applause ringing through the arena as he nodded his head in appreciation. A classic match between two well traveled competitors and Shelton may not have won, but he had won the respect of the fans. 

Winner: Chris Madison (20:44)

[James Peterson]

Hiroyoshi Suzuki vs. John Pariah

There was no handshakes, no sign of respect. These two knew each other, and they didn't need to follow the codes. Their code, was beginning the match with a traditional exchange of strikes, culminating with a series of small package and roll up pin attempts which was impressive and captivating. Suzuki would then catch Pariah in a side headlock slam, and would keep him grounded for a while. Pariah would fight his way to his feet, pushing Suzuki back into the ropes - launching him to the opposite set, Suzuki faked the comeback as Pariah leaped up into the air. Suzuki would then run toward him, low drop kick to the knee and then dropped him on his head, snap DDT. He would follow this with the first pin attempt but to no prevail. Pariah was up by the corner, back elbow by Suzuki would then delivered a flurry of them, alternating between both elbows. Suzuki would then walk forward a little, pele kick connecting to Pariah who went back to the corner, stumbling back out - this time, it was an enziguri, which forced Pariah down to a seated position. Suzuki raced to the ropes, coming off of them and landing a basement drop kick on Pariah, who rolled to the apron. Suzuki would rise to his feet and embrace the cheers from the fans. 

Despite not having the greatest starts of the series, he was still an evident fan favorite and was making sure that whatever the outcome, his performance was exceptional. He joined Pariah on the apron and grabbed him, Pariah fought him - picking him up, Death Valley Driver onto the hard apron! The fans nearby would cringe as the back of Suzuki coiled off the apron and he rolled to the outside. Pariah would run his fingers through his hair and pick Suzuki up, rolling him back into the ring whilst set himself up on the apron. Latching onto the top rope, springboard into the ring but Suzuki kipped up last minute, greeting Pariah with a punishing drop kick that would send shockwaves through the arena. Applause would reverberate through the arena and Suzuki would cover Pariah but to no prevail. 

Rising to his feet, Suzuki brought Pariah back up to, looking for his short arm lariat finisher - Pariah ducked, landing a German suplex. Suzuki would roll back up to his feet, greeting Suzuki with a running uppercut. Picking him back up, looking for his short arm lariat, once again Pariah ducked - German, Suzuki landed on his feet, going for a stationary lariat, Pariah ducked, taking off to the ropes, coming back, spinning back fist - then a back kick to the mid section. Suzuki would stumble around a little as Pariah took off to the ropes once again, rotating around and landing a spinning elbow on Suzuki, falling on top of him and getting the one, the two and three!

Winner: John Pariah (09:25)

[James Peterson]

Bryan Laughlin vs. Chris Crippler

Like the last match there was no formalities, though these two were not all too familiar with each other. This would be their first meeting but it promised to be a legendary one as they circled the ring, looking at one another with focused eyes. Lunging into the center of the ring the two would engage in a collar to elbow tie up with Crippler managing to get in behind Laughlin, rear waist lock. Laughlin would try and separate the hands of Crippler from him, grabbing his arm and using his strength to steer it away from his mid section, arm wrench and pulled his arm down. Crippler would get to the ropes, latching one hand onto it - managing to flip his way forward in impressive fashion and reversing the hold, arm wrench and forcing Laughlin down to the canvas as he kept a firm grip on his wrist. Laughlin would wince, Crippler trying to force the shoulders of Laughlin onto the mat but Laughlin would bridge himself into a position that avoided his shoulders to be on the canvas, receiving praise from the fans who watched, astonished. Laughlin would then power his way up and reverse the move, forcing Crippler back who would then do the same as Laughlin, bridging himself into a position to avoid the canvas. He would power his way up and the two would remain stationary, trying to best each other with this knuckle hold test of strength. Crippler would use his size advantage to power Laughlin back into the ropes, the referee having to get in between the two men and Crippler would let go of him. Once he did, a cheap shot to face of Laughlin who turned his head from the impact, looking outside in disgust. He then ran toward Crippler, who was quick to counter with an arm draq take down, trying to transition into an arm bar but Laughlin wasn't having it. 

Racing to his feet, Laughlin would greet Crippler with a stiff forearm strike and followed this with a European uppercut. Crippler fell backward into the corner, Laughlin ran toward him with Crippler lifting him up and onto the apron. Uppercut by Laughlin who let go of the ropes, losing balance on the apron and almost falling to the outside. Crippler would then turn him round, looking to perform a German on Laughlin. Elbowing his way out of the position, Crippler stumbled back to the center of the ring and Laughlin would enter the ring. Low drop kick to the knee of Crippler, taking off to the ropes coming back with Crippler kicking him in the mid section, belly to belly on Laughlin. Arching his back, Laughlin helped himself up by the corner and Crippler would run toward him, clothesline down to a seated position. Crippler would then follow this with a flurry of mule kicks to the chest of Laughlin, who was somehow building a restraint as the kicks got harder. Eventually, Laughlin was back up on his feet, open palm strike to Crippler. Crippler ran toward him, drop toe hold and Crippler connected with the corner hard. Laughlin would then deliver a hard forearm strike to the back of Crippler, the connection echoing through the arena and Crippler came out of the corner, his eyes tightly closed. Full nelson by Laughlin, who'd perform the move, launching Crippler back into the corner. 

The two men would remain on their asses for a while, with Laughlin showing the first sign of life as he rose to his feet. Picking Crippler up with him. Fireman carry, looking to end things with his finishing move the GMA but Crippler would slide down his back, turning him round and performing a piledriver! He would then cover Laughlin but to no prevail as he kicked out. Crippler buried his head in his hands as he rose to his feet, but his displeasure would turn into a look of cockiness as he then locked Laughlin in his signature Lexington Road Shooter! Laughlin would struggle as Crippler had him in the center of the ring! The volume in the arena would rise and Crippler would tighten the hold, trying to squeeze the life out of Laughlin who looked as if he was going to tap. But he crawled, and crawled and reached the ropes. Applause ringing through the arena but Crippler wasn't too impressed. The SKYFIRE Champion stomped on Laughlin repeatedly, bringing him back up to his feet by the corner. Back handed chop to the chest! And another. Another, and another. Laughlin would use the chops to fuel himself, coming back with a surge of new life, forearm, open palm, double thrust to the chest. A couple of closed fist punches would connect, Crippler looking for a slumbered lariat but Laughlin ducked, turned him around - double underhook suplex! 

Electricity was flowing through the arena as this stage and Laughlin had the fans on his side. He rose to his feet, camel clutch locked in! He tried to pull it into a dragon sleeper but Crippler wouldn't fall! Elbow to the mid section, Laughlin let go! Crippler turned around, greeting Laughlin with a European uppercut! Laughlin came off of the ropes - SUPERKICK TO CHRIS CRIPPLER! Crippler fell to the canvas and Laughlin fell on top of him and hooked a leg, but only the two! Laughlin would then make his way onto the apron. Latching onto the ropes, he was looking for his signature Special Sauce. Crippler gradually made his way to his feet, Laughlin boarded his way into the ring, Crippler caught him - CRIPPLER DDT!

ONE, TWO - THE LEG OF LAUGHLIN ON THE ROPES! 

The SKYFIRE Champion would rise to his feet and pick Laughlin up too. Double underhook powerbomb which he then transitioned into a pin attempt for the one, the two but failing to get the three! Reverberating through the arena was the sound of the bell and this match was over! The two would remain on the canvas, medics crowding the two and trying to help them up onto their feet. But they both refused. Laughlin and Crippler would push the medics away and try to continue with their carnage but getting between them were Young Dragons from the dojo. They were separated from one another and this contest finished as a draw!

Winner: Time Limit Draw (30:00)

[James Peterson]

Jason Cashe vs Slade LaVey

The main event of the evening.

The two men would circle the ring before lunging forward to engage in a collar to elbow tie up. Slade would gain the upperhand, breaking the hold and grabbing Cashe, knee to the face and clubbing him round the back with a forearm as he led one half of the GPC Tag champions into the corner. Kick to the chest and followed this a forearm strike. Cashe retaliated, seemingly not effected as he collided heads with Slade and the two were in each others faces. Cashe would deliver a boxing punch that would force Slade back a little, following with another jab, and another but Slade too had built a resistance to the strikes, countering with a forearm as he sent Cashe backwards. He then invited Cashe to strike him and Cashe didn't need convincing, an open palm strike connecting. Slade would return the shot and the two would brawl in a series of exchanges which got faster and harder, Cashe getting the upperhand and taking off to the ropes, coming back only to be lifted up and nailed to the canvas with a flapjack. Slade would then come off the ropes and looking for a running senton but Cashe would move out of the way, Slade crashing onto the canvas but wasn't effected as he raced up to his feet.

He looked to strike Cashe who scurried to the outside of the ring, surprised by this attacking offense Slade was putting forward. Slade rolled to the outside, attacking Cashe from behind with a club to the back, Irish whip into the railing. He then lifted him up and over to railing, sitting him on an empty seat. He took a step back and would launch himself over the railing, forearm to the face of Cashe. Slade would then roll himself back into the ring and wait for the referee's count, prepared to win this match via countout. Cashe however wasn't down and out, teammate Tommy Knox steering him on and eventually, he made his way back into the ring. Slade would flip him into a seated position, boot to the back following this and Cashe arched his back. Slade would connect with two more but the face of Cashe turned from sour to happiness, some reason - he had a smile on his face, and Slade didn't like that. Looking down on him and stomping on his back. Cashe fought to his feet, having to endure a series of strikes as he stumbled into the corner. Cashe would laugh frantically, forearm strike to the face and the two were now back in the middle of the ring.

Another forearm strike and Slade would counter with a shoot kick to the hamstring, grabbing his leg, take down - looking for a submission, Cashe would reverse the move by kick him away with his free leg. Rising to his feet, Cashe would duck under a clothesline attempt and take off to the ropes. Clothesline from Cashe connecting! Bouncing off of the opposite ropes, clothesline! Coming back, clothesline! And again, clothesline! Clothesline! Clothesline! But by this point, Cashe was shattered, absolutely exhausted by the repeated clotheslines. Slade made his way up to his feet and walked over to Cashe who put a finger up, proposing that Slade would give him a minute as he tried to recuperate, bending over. Slade would then lift Cashe into an upright position and Cashe would connect with a headbutt. Slade fell to the canvas, holding onto his head. Cashe brought Slade up onto his feet, double underhook brainbuster connecting before climbing to the top rope!

Positioning himself, Cashe came leaping off of the top rope and landed an elbow drop on Slade! He rose to his feet, turning away from Slade and facing the fans, signaling the end of the match as he laughed. Knox pointed in the direction of Slade over his shoulder, who somehow was back up on his feet. Cashe turned around and the two collided heads. Slade then delivered an open palm strike but Cashe invited him to do better, to hit him harder. And Slade would do that! Cashe would then connect with two forearm strikes and Slade would return one! The two were trying to knock each other heads off and it was Slade who bested Cashe in this war of strikes, forcing Cashe back into the corner. Slade ran back to the opposite corner, bouncing off of it and running toward Cashe, running yakuza kick to the corner connecting! Lifting him up, Slade would then perform a exploder suplex into the corner, delivered in impressive fashion! Cashe looked out of it as Slade pinned him, but to no prevail.

Picking him back up, judo throw to the canvas, hitting the ropes and running senton! He picked him up, headlock, looking for the driver! But Cashe latched onto the ropes, the referee getting between the two men. Slade would release him, running toward Cashe who ducked under his lariat attempt - managing to land his signature Under The Influence back to back cutter! He would then drape an arm over the fallen Slade to secure the one, the two and the three!

Winner: Jason Cashe (11:02)