Two of the best co-main event matches you'll see in a long while headlined this card with some results that will resonate for some time within both UCSS and Pan African Wrestling.
RESULTS
Double Gold: Pan African Wrestling x UCSS
8:00 PM (CT) on Friday, April 3rd at the Beltway Hippodrome in Washington, DC
Pan African Tag Championship Title Bout
Black Star Cyclones vs. Mercenaries in Exile
The co-main event had much to live up to after the UCSS Openweight title match, and it did so with flying colors, as the Cyclones and Mercenaries both brought their best effort forward. Renate Barlowe was relentless from the start, using an illegal weapon to draw blood from both opponents and engaging in her typical brutal tactics. The Warbringer loomed ominously over both opponents, and came close on multiple occasions in putting Dogboe away with the Obliteration Machine. The Cyclones, though, were not to be deterred, not letting size, nor focused attacks, nor dirty tactics, nor blood loss stand between them and the Pan African Tag Championship, fighting through until Al-Amin found herself on the precipice of defeat with Barlowe setting her up for the dreaded Mercenary Lock, but the Egyptian sensation managed to retain her presence of mind at the most crucial moment of the match, countering with a rollup for the second time of the night, rolling Barlowe into a pin as Dogboe cut off the Warbringer to secure the Pan African Wrestling tag titles, becoming the first ever champions in the division!
UCSS Openweight Title Bout
Thiago Gracie(C) vs. Dangerous Nicholas Alger
One of, if not the best match in UCSS history. Most figured this match would come down to Alger's striking versus Gracie's grappling, and early on, it seemed that Alger had the clear advantage in keeping the match at his range, on the feet. As the match went on, Gracie started zeroing in on the arm, as he always does, working it over and taking charge of the pace, even as Alger managed to keep him honest by countering from guard with his signature Bermuda Triangle. As the match went into the championship rounds, Gracie managed to keep Alger down longer and longer, with exploders, wrist clutch exploders and elbow flurries. While DNA managed to fire back with a Dangerous Kick and multiple roundhouses to the body, he seemed to be drawing nearer and nearer to defeat when early in the fifth and final round, a pair of thudding knee strikes connected with Gracie's sternum. The Brazilian dropped down in a heap and Senatorial Office Senior Referee, Raymond Allen Fleming signaled for the knockout. An instant classic of a match with an incredible finish.
Jean-Pierre Mutombo vs. Gang Wong
A solid match between two fan favorites for the Office, with Gang Wong representing UCSS well with his fast, accurate striking and technical counters. However, JPM was not to be denied, landing the Unifier brainbuster jumping arm slam multiple times and eventually overcoming Wong's attack to lock in the Congolese Crab for the win.
Aoife Daley vs. Sanem Becker with "Big Banter" Rory Banner
After a solid first round, Aoife Daley may have been ready to settle in and work in her vaunted striking offence. However, Sanem Becker demonstrated exactly why she has been one of the top prospects in UCSS history as she caught the Irish Firecracker in a simple, but effective can opener submission, cranking her neck hard enough to force an instant tapout as Rory Banner gloated at ringside.
Pan African Tag Championship Tournament
Mercenaries in Exile(Renate Barlowe and the Warbringer) vs. The Egyptian Dynasty(Nefertiri and Mohammad Ramses)
A fearsome showing from the Mercenaries and Warbringer as they took the fight to their Egyptian foes, with the Warbringer eventually crushing Ramses with his Obliteration Machine pumphandle side slam, giving the Mercenaries a commanding position going into the finals.
Pan African Championship Tournament
Bemba's Royal Court(Esther Musambi and Yetunde Oya) vs. Black Star Cyclones(Layla Al-Amin(Phoenix Rising) and Esi Dogboe)
A rip roaring contest with Esther Musambi asserting her power by repeatedly dumping Esi Dogboe out of the ring with press slams, Oya pulling out a variety of tricks as the Royal Court kept pace with the Cyclones, that is, until Esi landed a tremendous Black Star Cannonball 630 Senton on Oya, knocking her out while Musambi and Al-Amin brawled outside. From there, as Esther Musambi returned to the ring as the only healthy competitor for her team, the dynamics changed, with Layla netting the win with a roll through counter pin on a powerbomb.
Eliza Faulkner(MWWC) with Mackenzie Bergeron vs. Jamie Tomasi
Impressive showing from Faulkner, as she consistently nullified Tomasi's attempts at the armbar with rolling leglocks, and pinned the Thiago Gracie BJJ Red Belt with a Mayan Bridging German.
Standard Rules Match
Oleg Makos vs. John "Newface" Smith(SWA)
While Newface Smith gave a spirited performance, Oleg Makos was on a mission to redeem himself following his upset loss to Stanford Bradley, and took the fight to his SWA opponent, landing his big deadlift slams and bombs, and finishing with the signature Fame Maker rolling clutch stomp.
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Match of the Night: Thiago Gracie vs. DNA, Black Star Cyclones vs. Mercenaries in Exile
-Both main events were exceptional encounters, with Alger's amazing comeback, and the Cyclones taking the victory off a crucial counter from Layla Al-Amin. New champs in both bouts with the crowd fully behind each result for good reason.
Performer of the Night: Dangerous Nicholas Alger
-The Dangerous One has spent over several decades in combat sports, always close to the big win, but never managing to follow through, whether his temper or inconsistency got in the way of those past opportunities. This was not the case tonight, and we arguably saw the finest version of Alger to date, as he endured Thiago Gracie's vaunted ground game and persevered through several close calls to come back with a crushing pair of knees to become the fourth UCSS Openweight Champion.
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Injury Report
Yetunde Oya - Unchecked (No Medical Suspension)
-As per usual, Yetunde Oya not only refused medical attention, but walked away after the match as if nothing ever happened, after Esi Dogboe's Black Star Cannonball left her sprawled out on the mat during her tag match.
Aoife Daley - Tweaked Neck (No Medical Suspension)
-The Irish Firecracker tapped abruptly to a vicious can opener from Sanem Becker, but thankfully, will be able to compete as soon as possible, with no serious injury sustained.
Thiago Gracie - Cracked Sternum (Two Month Medical Suspension)
-Gracie was on the verge of retaining his title when several hard knees connected with his sternum, courtesy of Dangerous Nicholas Alger. Gracie fell to the mat instantly, and it was obvious that he was injured. Further examinations revealed a cracked sternum, with Office medical staff immediately recommending that Gracie spend several months recovering before he returns to action.
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Following his win, Dangerous Nicholas Alger was found backstage, Openweight title in hand, checking in on Thiago Gracie. While Gracie was clearly in no condition to carry on a conversation, the two still shook hands with a forced smile from Gracie, following a series of words from the Commissioner. Soon, the champion's daughter, Ruthless Nicole Alger showed up, with a bottle of champagne in hand.
Ruthless Nicole Alger: The guys told me to give this to you. You know, a "little bit of the bubbly." To celebrate with.
Dangerous Nicholas Alger: Yeah, it's funny. Been through so much. People telling me I couldn't do it. Couldn't be the top guy. Before, I was too pissed off. Then I was washed up. Now I'm just old. Even a few years back, I'd be jumping up and down. But now? Now I'm more concerned about my buddy back there. The guy I blasted out of the ring. Don't get me wrong, that's the game. But the older you get, the more you think about that stuff. Especially if you've got real responsibilities on your shoulder.
RNA: You're telling me, you're feeling bad about being Dangerous?
DNA: Uh...yes.
RNA: Ok, you look like my dad. You fight like my dad. But you don't talk like him.
DNA: Look, how'd you feel if you hurt Candace and took her title?
RNA: Point taken, I guess.
DNA: Anyway, I told Thiago he better get better quick. Because next time around, I'm taking on Sanem Becker, and if I beat her, I'm giving him his rematch, if he's healthy or not. So once he gets back in the game, he can come get some. And before that, Sanem Becker, got tons of respect for her. Even if she's Big Banter Brand. And then, past that, I want to do something cool. Been watching too much old Pride FC stuff. And I'm thinking we need a UCSS Openweight Grand Prix. So, if I beat Sanem, I beat Thiago, we're doing this. One night tournament. Eight walk in. One walks out, with the belt. Champ's in, so's seven others. Can't make this easy on me just 'cause I call the shots.
RNA: You try to do that, I'll call you out.
DNA: And that's my daughter.
RNA: Damn straight I am.
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Jean-Pierre Mutombo: It is a good night to be the Man of Unity! For I, Jean-Pierre had a wonderful match with a great opponent! Mr. Gang Wong is super tough, super fast, super skillful! So it means a lot that I was able to defeat him, because that was very much not easy! It is not easy to fight a man who has trained with the Shaolin! Let it be said that I have an incredible respect for this man! But this is not all I wish to be speaking about! For what I wish to say is that I was very much impressed with the man who is called The Warbringer tonight! He was very powerful and very relentless! And if what I see in my eyes is correct, he is standing right in front of me! Hello, Mr. Warbringer, Miss Renate Barlowe!
Renate Barlowe: Jean-Pierre.
The Warbringer: Please, call me Moustapha Ndour...um...just call me Moustapha, I mean. I am the Warbringer in the ring, but outside it, I am just Moustapha, son of Senegal and big fan of the house that Mike Krzyzewski built.
JPM: Ok, Mr. Moustapha Ndour!
Warbringer: Um, just Moustapha...
JPM: Oh, very sorry, it is just the way I often speak. But yes, Moustapha, I just want to thank you for what you do out there, I am very impressed with your wrestling.
Warbringer: Thank you, thank you, that means a lot coming from the big champion.
JPM: I am not so big when I stand here looking up to speak to you! But what I wish to say to you is that while I know King Bemba wishes to once again face me, he is busy in other places right now. But I do not wish to face him again right away. What I want...is to give the opportunity to someone new who deserves it a lot!
Renate: So, you're giving Moustapha a shot at the Pan African Championship? Looking for an easy match with him before he's ready?
JPM: He looks plenty ready from the matches tonight!
Renate: Look, for me, this is money. I do this because I lived a dangerous life, and this lets me use some of my skills without looking over my shoulder every second. "Break legs, get paid." That's what I'm about. But for Moustapha, he's not like that. He has big dreams and he's foolish enough to think he wants to pursue this as much for the pleasure as for the paycheck.
Warbringer: I'm right here, you know.
Renate: I know how this world works, and I know how easily people get screwed over in this business. But I'll jump into Hell before I let this man end up like so many other victims of pro wrestling.
JPM: So, you do not want me to give him the match? Is this what you are saying?
Warbringer: Wait, wait, wait...you're telling me, Renate, that I should turn this down? Come on! Even if I lose, who cares? This is experience! This is the sort of thing I dreamed of!
Renate: You get what you want too fast, you end up falling just as quick. I've seen it in every walk of life. And if you get beaten down too badly, before you're ready, some people never recover from that in full.
Warbringer: Don't worry, Renate, I get the big title, I'm still going to step down off the mountain and win those tag belts with you. We're not done yet.
Renate: That's not my concern! I'm telling you, this is the wrong time for this. But that's just my advice. It's your decision. Just make sure you make the right one.
Warbringer: I'll think long and hard on this, ok, Renate? Alright, I thought about it, and I accept!
JPM: Wonderful! I am very much excited for a match like this, to take on the truly unknown challenge and to offer you this chance for your first match by yourself in this ring! I will be seeing you the next time around!
Jean-Pierre walked away, greeting several more people down the hallway, and entering into another boisterous discussion, while the Warbringer grabs Renate Barlowe by the shoulder and turns her around as she starts to head away.
Warbringer: Look, Renate, don't think I'm not hearing what you're saying. All the respect in the world for you, what you've done for me and my family, and I don't want you to think I'm throwing your advice away. But you have to understand, my first singles match here in the Office, and it's for the Pan African Championship? With THE Jean-Pierre Mutombo?
Renate: Don't think I don't get it. Kids can't turn their eyes away from gold. Then again, neither can older people who should know better. Just keep your eyes open, and your senses about you. Take nothing for granted, no matter what.
Warbringer: Advice taken.
Renate: And when you make yourself an opening...you strike fast and strike hard! If you do this, make it count!
Warbringer: Will do. Just like an uncontested corner three...