PCW Phase Twenty-One: Life Is But A Dream

Korakuen Hall hall was alive with life. New fans and fans that had made it to the last two shows alike were bustling into their seats. They were already expecting some fireworks from the leadup show to a pay per view and so far, PCW had never disappointed when something big was coming.

The lights when dark and for a moment the crowd went quiet, then all of them sang or cheered as soon as the company's theme music, The Phoenix by Fall Out Boy began playing throughout the arena. Red and orange light lit up the stage at the top of the ramp and when a burst of yellow tracked from the stage to the ramp and the chorus hit, Griffin West, the ring announcer slid to the center of the stage and ran up the ramp, the red and orange lights tracking behind him.

He grabbed onto the middle rope and slung himself into the ring through the middle and top, tumbled then bounced up with his arms outstretched. He pulled the mic out of his inner breast pocket, flipped it on and grinned for all to see.

Welcome, welcome Tokyo and everyone tuning in to PCW's Phase Twenty One, can you believe it? Life is But A Dream! We're coming at you live from Korakuen Hall. I could hear you all from the back and that's what I wanna hear all Night! We have a show jam-packed with excitement three head to head matches all leading up to the main event where Jeff Cobb defends his title against a new challenger.

The audience stayed keyed up, amped for what the night was going to bring them and Griffin was feeding right into it.

Without further ado, we're bringing out two competitors. She's the monarch of the mat and he's a lord of the skies. Both of them are comin' in hot with not a point to either name. Let's see who comes out on top!

He cheered with the crowd for a moment then rolled out of the ring with a smirk that clearly showed he was proud of himself and he perched on the end of the commentary table, talking at the boss despite the man commentating.

 

Will Ospreay vs Princess Kimber Lee

All of the lights turn down and smoke fills the arena floor as silence slowly fills the arena. All of the sudden, the lights blast in the center of the stage as the speakers blare out 'Invincible' by Adelitis Way. From the circle of light, Will Ospreay rises from a kneeling position, his hood keeping his face hidden. Will then jumps up as he pulls down his hood. As he takes in the rush of the crowd, the lights dim down and he points to the ring as he cracks a smirk. Slowly jogging to the ring, taking in the sight of the arena, spinning to get a full view of his adoring audience. As he approaches the apron, he hops on to the squared circle and laughs as he places his back against the ropes. He stares out at the crowd and screams, “I RUN THIS!” before turning back around and using the ropes to propel himself into the ring. He approaches the corner as he waits for his opponent

The first thirty seconds of 'Fighter' by Sumo Cyco began to blare throughout the arena. A few moments later, the tiny princess made her way through the curtain and out onto the ramp. A bright smile planted across her lips as she wore a tiara upon her head, a second one held in her hands. Kimber Lee made her way to the ring, smiling brightly and slapping hands with fans. Only stopping halfway around the ring spotting a small girl wearing one of her t-shirts. She gave her a tight hug, placing the extra tiara upon her head before quickly sliding into the ring and into a vertical stance. She gave a bow, smiling brightly.

The Suplex Kingdom princess found it hard to catch the aerial assassin from the start of the match and it didn't seem like the situation would change. Ospreay barely touched the canvas. Twice, the princess caught him as he set foot near her, and after how brutal of suplexes and tosses he suffered, Will knew he had to stay away from the royal hands of Kimber Lee. Finally a 630 pinning combination took his opponent down for the three count.

 

Taeler Hendrix vs Flash Morgan Webster

"In Mod We Trust!" - The familiar saying of this line was heard on the speaker as the crowd clapped along to the fellow tune of Flash Morgan Webster. Stepping out of the curtain with his trusty helmet beside him that is named Arabella. The self-proclaimed Modfather would take a look around at the crowd as he began to walk down the ramp and around the ring, hi-fiving a few members of the crowd before sliding inside the ring. Placing Arabella at the corner, Flash would go on the turnbuckle raising his fist up as the crowd began to chant along "Oi! Oi! Oi!" Alongside the theme. Looking rather pleased, Webster would get off from the turnbuckle soaking in the recognizable cheers of the crowd.

Taeler's moves and seductive pace left the crowd speechless, hypnotised almost by the way she seemed to control her body, even as she slid up on the apron and threw her head back, letting her red locks touch the canvas before standing up and getting inside to face her opponent.

That same scent surrounded the entire ring, pheromones floating in the air, again mentioned by commentary on how their power seemed to pull them a little closer to the action. It did the same for Morgan Webster, who slowly approached the seductress. His hands were raised to attempt a lockup, and he had to shake his head, realizing he was under some form of spell. Hendrix remained unmoving even as her opponent's hands stretched and went towards her in an attempt at a chop. He couldn't even touch her.

Slowly, calmly and with a smile, Taeler moved forward and kissed Flash. A full, hypnotizing kiss. With the same calm, she pushed his chest back and Webster fell to the canvas, seemingly unconscious and unaware of what was happening to him or his body.

She leaned over him to cover him for the pin but didn't leave right after being declared victorious, just waited until Flash stood, responding to her beck and call, following her up the ramp, while a part of him still tried to process everything that had happened a few seconds before.

Diego Alvarez vs Mike Quackenbush (Promo Side B)

In 1994, eighteen-year-old Mike Quackenbush started his wrestling career by never taking "no" for an answer. And there were many "no's" to overcome. Too small, too young, too backyard. 

From that early stage, I learned that sometimes all you need is one person to believe in you and you will accomplish great things.

In my case, it was Reckless Youth and Don Montoya that gave me that first look into what a group of wrestlers can achieve when they believe in one another and it's something I try to instil in all my students to this day.

Fast-forward to twenty-four years, hundreds of amazing trainees, twenty-six championships and three tournament victories later; and I still think that sometimes all you need is one person to believe in you. And I believe in Diego Alvarez. I see a little bit of me in him. Determined, arrogant, with an innate talent and an unyielding love for the sport.

But, in the same way I once learned that you need that extra push of confidence, I also learned that you can not let your ego take the wheel. Come May 20th, at TWA's WrestleFest, I will give Mr. Alvarez a lesson I wish I'd understood sooner in my career: There is always something new to learn.

Every move we make in this career is meant to help us grow, learn, adapt and overcome. And even if we stand in opposite corners, you are not my enemy, you're my rival and my respect for you remains unwavering. Let this match be a new lesson for both of us: It is in facing talented rivals that we find the talent within ourselves.

Rachael Ellering vs Jenny Blake

The opening strands of Shinedown's "Cut the Cord" begins echoing throughout the arena as the fans all begin to stand in anticipation for who's coming out. Finally, when the drums begin to ring out, Rachael Ellering busts through the curtain, screaming for fans to get on their feet. A smile was etched across Rachael's face as she made her way down the ramp, slapping hands with the fans before sliding in the ring. Rachael goes to a corner, and stands on the turnbuckle, staring into the crowd. Hopping off, she waited patiently in the corner for her opponent.

"Call Me Maybe" started playing and the crowd started singing along. Jenny came out just as the song hit the chorus. She smiled, danced, waved her arms, twisted and blew kisses to the audience all the way down the ramp. As she got off of it, she went around giving a high five to everybody in the front row. She then cartwheeled over to the ring, hopping up on the apron and doing a backflip to get in. Before dropping into the ring, she climbed the nearest ring post and blew more kisses, holding one hand back while the other is thrust forward, both making peace signs.

The crowd respectfully clapped, excited for both competitors. The match went on without any dirty tricks, both wrestlers focused one on getting herself back in the race and the other one trying to get her third point. Ellering was determined to getting that pass to challenge the champion for the PCW Women's championship, but that didn't mean Jenny was just laying down for her.

The match went on for over ten minutes and in that time, both competitors gave it their all, but ultimately, despite Blake's best efforts, Ellering took the win, and her third point in the process.

Jeff Cobb vs Abyss (World Championship Match)

Korn's Coming Undone started playing, and Jeff Cobb's shadow spread through the ramp like a terrifying monster, even if his attitude opposed how imposing his figure was, the audience still gave way for him. Quiet at the start and getting progressively louder as he approached the ring, the lights increasing in intensity as he moved by them. He removed his shirt once inside the ring, climbing the turnbuckle with ease and dropping to the middle of the ring.

As "Left Behind" started playing and the imposing figure of Abyss walked out of the ramp, stomping his way towards the ring, huge steps bringing him to the apron, where he pulled down the third rope to take a step over it, showing off his power, weight and height. He was ready to destroy his opponent and waited perfectly still under the lights for the match to start.

Abyss tried to take control of the match as soon as it started, but Cobb didn't let go just as easy. Both powerhouses met in the center of the ring and shook it to its core. Every passing minute, the audience seemed to get a little louder, maybe infected by the excitement of the regular fans in attendance and their chants.

When the 6'8 monster took Cobb for the Shock Treatment, everyone thought it was over, the count was at two and the announcers were already talking about the championship changing hands. But just before the referee's hand touched the canvas for the third time, Cobb's hand raised, slow, firm and quickly turning into a fist.

With unseen violence, he took his opponent off him, completely by surprise, and swung him around like a ragdoll in a surprising recovery. The announcers stood from their chairs and their voices dropped. Jeff hit the Wrath of the Gods and let go of Abyss in painful fashion, stepping on the monster's chest for the referee to count the pinfall.

Cobb successfully retained his championship, but even as it was given back to him, it was clear he'd lost something else in the process...

Ho. Ly. Crap. Clash of the Titans just happened center ring, am I right? 

Griffin asked as soon as he had pulled his way back up to center ring following the main event. The audience was still excited and hoping for more.

Alright, everybody. I hope you're ready for what we have coming to you next. A little something different. On May 19th, PCW Takeover: SWEENEYMANIA!

He yelled it into the mic with immediate cheers from the audience.

We're honoring the late great Larry Sweeney with a pay per view he could be proud of. I know you're all gonna be there, right? Right? Bring your friends! And we'll see you next time!

The lights faded out and the Phoenix played as the lights cut on Griffin's smiling face.