JWA Glory Episode 175 - Mack Caliber vs. Chad Shredsbury

[Kip Whistler]

Greetings, grapple fans!

Tonight's main event will determine who will challenge Arizona Chance for the JWA World Heavyweight Championship coming up in a few weeks at Super Glory, and it features two men who have most recently been on the same side rather than enemies. Of course, I'm talking about Mack Caliber and Chad Shredsbury. Caliber made his return to JWA at the finals of the 2023 J-1 Pinnacle tournament and helped Shredsbury to defeat Red Pirate Rogers and capture the trophy. We then saw Caliber and Shredsbury team up in a preview battle prior to Destiny a few weeks ago. Mack went on to defeat Rogers at Destiny, and Shredsbury fought to a draw against Arizona Chance. Both men have valid claims to be the next in line for a title opportunity, and Arizona recently stated that he wants the top contenders to fight it out to decide who gets the next shot. Last week's First Blood match ended in a draw, and so the winner of tonight's match will be the de facto #1 contender! 

(The polls will be open for at least 24 hours. It doesn't matter who you vote for, just that you participate!)

As I just mentioned, last week's First Blood match between Duke Mongoose and Omega Satyros ended in a draw, but the bigger story has to be the revelation of Satyros' seemingly golden blood and unexplained tattoo. Perhaps Omega's claims of being a creature of mythology aren't quite so far fetched after all...

With Super Glory coming up in a few weeks and no challengers in sight, something must be done in regards to the World Tag Team Championship. So I have decided that we will be bringing back the Mad Dash Tag Lottery! I've placed the names of 8 JWA stars into a tumbler and later on tonight JWA Ambassador Dyno will reveal the pairings! 4 teams will face off in a single elimination tournament over the next three weeks with the winning team challenging Duke Mongoose & Penguino for the titles at Super Glory. There are some very interesting combinations that could come about from the random draw. How exciting! 

Newly crowned JWA Women's World Champion Jessie Aldean, "The Mean Queen" if you will, has made it clear that she doesn't want to waste her time on "unworthy" challengers. Lately Artemis has been making a case for her to be the next challenger for the title. On the other hand, former two-time champion Daisy Turner has a claim for a rematch as well. As for Winter Hex, well... is anyone really sure what she's doing?

Let's get this show started! Get out there and work your gimmick!

[Chad Shredsbury]

“Good Vibrations” fires up and Chad Shredsbury heads to the stage strutting as if the fans are not booing him overwhelmingly. Perhaps a few less boos tonight than usual as his opponent is equally reviled.

LeRay. Chad comes out to a few less boos than usual here tonight, Sean, and I guess maybe that’s because his opponent tonight is just as despicable as he is.

Beeman. It’s hard to hear you over the adoring masses, LeRay, but it sounds almost as though you are the voice of some distant narrator from what I can hear. Wait for it… here comes the kneel, the flex… the hang loose!

LeRay. And there’s the chorus of boos we have all been waiting for.

Beeman. These people are only booing because they, like I, are disgusted by the fact that Kip Whistler is making these two great gladiators compete in spite of the close knit bond they have recently developed. It’s dastardly.

LeRay. You are utterly outrageous.

Beeman. It certainly is!

[Artemis]

Artemis enters the ring, surrounded by her Hunters. Honest Sal already in the ring.

Sal: My guest at this time, Artemis. Tell me Artemis, what's are you planning next?

Artemis: Well, it's quite simple really. It's to win the Women's World Championship I deserve. Jessie Aldean is a fine stop gap champion to make Daisy consider shipping off to the retirement home with Sakura and her ancient mother, but we all know the JWA audience deserves a Goddess with that gold, not an ex-pageant queen.

Sal: Strong words. And how does Winter Hex factor into the current plans?

Artemis: She doesn't, she's got her head in the tv clouds, who knows what era anymore. Whatever her deal with Arizona and Mack Caliber is, she's smart enough to stay out of my way.

Sal: Speaking of the World Heavyweight Title picture, what are your thoughts on Omega seemingly being decided as a chosen warrior for, Palastra?

Artemis: First off, it's Palaestra, second off, why should I be worried what some minor daughter of Hermes decides to do with her time. If she wants to waste her time on Omega, good luck to them.

Artemis and her Hunters left the ring.

LeRay: You'd think she were the one bleeding gold with that ego.

Beeman: Didn't you read all those ancient stories; you should know better than to talk crap about a Goddess.

LeRay: Well, that aside, we'll have JWA Ambassador Dyno in after the break to figure out our teams for the Mad Dash Tag Lottery.

[“heartBROKEN” Mack Caliber]

My music hits and I bust through the curtain. I have a microphone in hand.

Yo, Chad, we know this wasn’t by design.
I respect you, and wasn’t trying to cut to the front of the line.
But talent can’t be denied, the cream rises to the top,
And our creaminess is undeniable, and this match just couldn’t be stopped.

Last week was for third place, everyone already knows.
This week’s gotta be for a title shot, and even though we’re unspoken bros
I gotta be honest, I gotta come clean, I gotta be real—
Being the first to get a shot at that clown Zona is a big deal.

Cause here’s what’s gonna happen— the winner of this dance
Is gonna get a title shot and then win it before the other has a chance.
So I gotta do this now, and I know you’ll understand.
My time is now, and you’ll get first crack at me after I’m crowned rightful king of this land.

I drop the microphone and slide under the ropes and extend a hand— with both eyes squarely on Chad, watching for any funny business. I’ll keep it clean until either he doesn’t or I can’t.

[Chad Shredsbury]

LeRay. Shredsbury accepts the handshake of Mack Caliber, and I don’t know how to explain this. Honor among thieves I guess.

Beeman. That makes no sense whatsoever, LeRay, I told you these two were friends! Didn’t you hear what Mack just said?

LeRay. Referee Tasha West looks suspiciously as these two- oh and there goes Chad pulling Mack and Irish whipping him into the ropes! I knew these two could not be trusted!

Beeman. Brilliant move by Chad and it’s really a sign of respect that he knows he needs to be on top of his game to best Caliber!

LeRay. The bell sounds as Mack hits the ropes and comes back with a clothesline that Chad ducks under and goes straight off the second rope for a beautiful disaster kick that rocks Mack! Shredsbury follows with a knee to the gut and a roundhouse kick to Cali, who covers up, backed to the opposite rope!

Beeman. What a flurry of offense by Shredsbury! He’s literally got the former champ on the ropes in record time!

LeRay. But Mack blocks an elbow and begins firing fists into the midsection of Shredsbury!

Beeman. I’m not those washboard abs are the weak spot on Chad but if anyone can pound through them it’s Mack!

LeRay. Now it’s Shredsbury backing up from these blows and he staggers as Mack hooks him and hoists him up for a suplex neck breaker! That’s the first time either man has been taken off his feet!

Beeman. The action is explosive and we are certainly looking at the next JWA Champion! I just don’t know which one it will be!

[Daisy Turner]

Daisy: I've tried to ignore it. With Sakura's retirement, I didn't want this to affect her send off. But now that's all done it's time to get down to business. I won't deny it, at JWA Destiny, "The Mean Queen" Jessie Aldean. You, were the better woman that night. You left the arena with the JWA Women's World Championship and I left empty handed. You'd probably expect me to go right back into title contendership but quite frankly, you'd be wrong. You see out of all of us in this current Women's Division only one of us has yet to win that belt and that woman is Artemis. I was giving opportunities to Sakura when I first lost it and I'll keep doing it now. I'll give Artemis the first shot at the belt and while that is happening, I'll work on myself.

You see this year there isn't any battle royal and instead we have a Tag Team Lottery. I'll get a start there and see how far I can go. Whoever my partner and I will be, we will work together endlessly, winning every match and win the tournament. I can also get some training done at JWA Mania haven't been there for a while. Excited to see some fresh faces or maybe some familiar ones. 2024 may have been a terrible start for me but as mum loves to tell me. When you've hit rock bottom, there is only one way to go and that is up.

[Dyno]

Halls of Valhalla hits and it gets a nice pop from the crowd as Dyno walks out.  He takes in the cheers from the fans before heading to the ring.

DYNO: "Wow...still gotta love that!"

More cheers.

"But instead of taking away the spotlight from these great JWA stars I shall simply get on with my job here tonight and that's to announce the pairings for the upcoming JWA MAD DASH TAG LOTTERY!

Big pop from the fans.

"As you should know by now, the Mad Dash Tag Lottery pairs 8 wrestlers together in random teams with the winners getting a title shot against the current champs Duke & Penguino!  The competing names were put into a tumbler earlier today and drawn by myself and Mick LeRay, with the big boss Kip Whistler overseeing things to prevent any shenanigans!"

(Still photos of the draw taking place are played on the screen while Dyno mentions this).

"And now the moment you've all been waiting for, and because I'm getting the wind it up sign from ringside, the 4 teams competing in the 2024 Mad Dash Tag Lottery are...

Red Pirate Rogers will team with very unpredictable Greatest Wrestler OF DOOM!

Bad Luck Bradley and the masked mad man Omega Satyros will try to find some chemistry as team number 2!

Former 2 time champions reunite as Chad Shredsbury and Pierre The Enormous are paired together one more time!  Will we see a return of Big Waves?

Which just leaves two that know each other maybe just as well as Chad & Pierre...Arizona Chance and Mack Caliber make team 4!"

The crowd pop for all 4 teams being announced as pictures are shown on the screen before the screen fades out for a picture in picture commercial that simply shows Dyno walking around ringside taking photos with fans.  He spends some time chatting to LeRay and Beeman before heading to the back.

[“heartBROKEN” Mack Caliber]

Got him down first, gotta stay on him.

I quickly transition into a front face lock, and let my weight rest on him. He struggles to his feet because I purposely let up a bit, and as he’s pushing, I use his momentum to transition him into a DDT. I cover for a one count, and Chad smiles up at me like he’s toying with a child. That earned him an open hand across his grill. The smile was wiped straight off his face, as the sting hit him.

Listen, I tried to be decent with this dude, but that lasted about 10 seconds. He made it known this is gonna be a war, and when it comes to winning titles, they don’t ask how, they ask how many. All bets are off. I mount him MMA style and start laying forearms into the side of his head. He’s able to block a few, but a couple get through. I pull back for a haymaker, but I can’t follow through. I look back, and he’s used his legs to hook my arm, I feel myself getting rolled over, and now my shoulder is on fire. I’m in a frickin Fujiwara arm bar and he’s sitting on my back. Crawling to the ropes…

[Thumper Moore III]

HONEST SAL: I’m backstage once again with the JWA Champion, Arizona Chance.

ARIZONA: Sal, It’s always a pleasure.

SAL: I’m sure you’ll be watching tonight’s match with great interest.

ARIZONA: You know it. Two young, up and coming stars in JWA, one of whom is a former champ and one of whom was very nearly our current champ— and it’s highly possible that one of these two will be the next challenger for this. *pats belt on his shoulder*

SAL: And you’ve got that open challenge for a non-title match on Mania this weekend.

ARIZONA: That’s right Sal— and with these sorts of things, you never know what’s going to happen. Will Chad, Mack, Duke, or Omega come out to prove that they deserve the next shot? Will Dyno come out of retirement for one more match? Will someone new debut and take their shot at the champ? The only thing I know for sure is that you’d better tune in and find out what is going to happen.

SAL: Speaking of Dyno, he came out earlier and announced the Mad Dash Tag Lott—

ARIZONA: Sal, this interview is over. And I take back that bit about this always being a pleasure.

SAL: Arizona! Don’t storm off like that! The world wants to know how you and Mack Caliber! HOW CAN THEY POSSIBLY COEXIST!!?!

["The Reminiscer" Winter Hex]

(Mid match) OOC: Just to clear things yes I did get permission

Beeman: What a match it's been

'Crazy' - by Patsy Cline plays out and the audience is confused as to why Winter Hex is walking out

Beeman: It's gets so much better!

LeRay: What the- What is she doing here?!

Winter walks down the aisle only to swerve everyone but beelining it for the commentary table

LeRay: Oh god she's coming this way. Lord help us!

Winter: How we doing gentlemen?

Beeman: Winter, exciting to see you here. But why are you?

Winter: Well Seanathan. Why do you think? It would be such a waste to just hang out in the back while we are witnessing the two best male wrestling stars go at it for the #1 contendership against that failed actor. So I need a front row view of the action with my chin up, ass out as I enjoy this main event of a lifetime. I even brought some snacks.

Winter pulls out of her popcorn (movie magic I guess) and enjoys the rest of the match

[Chad Shredsbury]

LeRay. Mack Caliber, the more powerful of the two, is in agony in this arm armbar!

Beeman. Look at the torque Chad has as he wrenches deep into the hold!

LeRay. Mack is so close to the ropes, but Chad leans back with all he’s worth and pries him a precious few inches away!

Beeman. Mack rolls the other way and over Chad, and he’s starting to stand up!!! With Shredsbury still applying the hold!

LeRay. But Mack charges the corner, smashing Chad hard into the corner and jolting him up into a standing fireman’s carry!

Beeman. He’s going to go for the magnum slug! How can he power through this?

LeRay. Caliber indeed goes for the slug, but Chad is able to avoid the punch, landing on his feet and delivers a step up enzugiri!

Beeman. I don’t think Mack was able to get a full extension on the slug after the armbar tore up his shoulder. This is incredible!

[Duke Mongoose]

(Following the announcement of the pairings for the tag lottery)

Toni Cruise: Fans, I'm backstage hoping to get a word with one half of the World Tag Team Champions, Duke Mongoose. Ah! Here he comes now.

(Duke struts into the frame, wearing a pink and lime green track suit seemingly held over from the early 90s. He is also wearing cowboy boots and his championship belt for some reason)

Toni: Duke, we've just heard who the pairs will be in the upcoming Mad Dash Tag Lottery. Can we get your thoughts?

Duke: My thoughts, Toni Spumoni? I think it's incredible that Kip had to force people together to figure out who's going to be next to challenge my boy Penguino and I. Seriously, the whole roster is too afraid to step up to the greatest tag team champions this company has ever seen!

Toni: Are there any teams you would like to face? Or maybe that you wouldn't like to face?

Duke: I heard Big Waves is being forced to pair up again. How'd that turn out last time they stepped up to Big Daddy Duke? If they somehow make it to Super Glory, we've got an Atomic Flying Penguin with their name on it. Or how about Arizona Chance & Mack Caliber? Given their history it would be a miracle if they don't kill each other in the locker room before their first match! Or what about Rogers & DOOM? What a joke!

Toni: You didn't mention Bad Luck Bradley & Omega Satyros.

Duke: We don't talk about Bradley, and after last week, I don't think we need to discuss Goat Boy anymore either. What we do need to be talking about is the fact that Big Daddy Duke and Penguino are only about a week away from breaking the record for the longest tag team title reign in JWA history! Not bad for a team no one expected to succeed!

Toni: I'll have to check the records, but if that is true, I suppose congratulations would be in order.

Duke: Darn Tootin', Toni! Now, you'd better go call your grandmother, because this interview is over.

(Duke struts exactly as he had into the shot, but in reverse, confusing everyone)

Toni: Uhh... Mick, Sean, back to you!

[“heartBROKEN” Mack Caliber]

The force of that enzigiuri knocked me for a loop, and before I knew it I tumbled out through the ropes. Probably for the best, it let me shake loose a couple cobwebs— DODGE! Glad I saw Chad out of the corner of my eye— rough landing. Guess that’s why they call it a suicide dive.

I pick Chad up quickly and toss him into the barricade, and hear the crack of spine against steel. I pick him up and ran his back into the ring apron. I roll in and back out to break the count, then drag Chad toward the announce table. I blow a kiss at Winter, then press Chad over my head. I pull my bad arm away, flex with it, and hold him up one handed while I look straight at Winter, then drop Chad face first onto the desk. She looks mildly impressed.

I roll back into the ring and tell the ref to start counting.

[Omega Satyros]

Legado Del Infierno is backstage, watching Dyno's segment announcing the Mad Dash Tourney teams.

Diablo: So, who you hoping to land with Omega?

Omega: Rogers, Arizona, or Pierre. Mack and Chad would be some conflict of interest. Don't really know Greatest Wrestler of DOOM...

The first team is announced.

Black Cat: Heh, looks like Pirates of DOOM are setting sail.

Bad Luck Bradley is rolled as the first member of team two.

Omega: Please not...

Dyno: "...the Masked Mad Man, Omega Satyros..."

Omega: ...

A door could be heard opening, and Omega's face showed his annoyance when he heard his new partner's voice.

Black Cat: Well, Bradley, welcome to Legado Del Infierno, at least as long as you and Omega are in the Mad Dash Tag Tourney.

[Chad Shredsbury]

Beeman. Look at how resilient Mack Caliber is, coming back from all that punishment to level a top level talent like Chad the way he did.

LeRay. Tasha West’s count is at a seven before Chad is able to get back on his feet, though I have no idea how. Eight… nine… Shredsbury rolls himself back into the ring just in the Nick of time!

Beeman. But Mack doesn’t miss a beat as he stomps on poor Chad in an instant. Caliber looks thirsty for blood here. Bloodthirsty if you will.

LeRay. Truer words were never spoken by you, Sean. Mack sends a rattled Chad into the ropes and he comes back into a huge
Power slam! One-two- Chad kicks out!

Beeman. What an incredible kick out! I don’t know how either of them are doing it but it’s comforting to know that Chance’s days as champion are numbered either way.

LeRay. That remains to be seen, but as Mack complains to the official about a slow count he gets rolled up into a school boy for a two count!