2024 J-1 Pinnacle - B3 - Chad vs. Burl

[Kip Whistler]

Round Three in Block B:
Chad Shredsbury (1) vs. Bayou Burl (0)

[Chad Shredsbury]

“Good Vibrations” plays and Chad Shredsbury appears on the stage with his airbrushed J1 surfboard. He drops to a knee and throws up the hang loose before making his way toward the ring.

LeRay. Everybody’s favorite Mambi makes his way out for night three of the J1 and he can’t possibly be pleased with the way this has started for him. it’s already been the worst showing he’s ever had in the tournament.

Beeman. Kick a great fighter while he’s down, why don’t you, LeRay? You know what I think? I think Chad knows it’s only goin to get better from here. For an athlete of his pedigree, it can’t possibly get worse.

LeRay. I bed to differ, Sean, as tonight the twisted mind of Bayou Burl, and most unfamiliar opponent, but one who is very well versed in both physical and psychological battle, can certainly further the beach bums tailspin.

[Bayou Burl]

Burl makes his way down to the ring next. Like last week he gives out high fives and hugs to hesitant fans, but he looks a little bit off.


LeRay: Certainly not been the start either man would've wanted, 1 point and therefore 0 wins between them in the first 2 rounds!


Burl slides into the ring and waves at Chad. He yells "Diolch!", believing it means "hello", before retreating to his corner.



The match begins and the two circle each other before engaging in a collar and elbow. Burl sends Chad back into the corner and delivers some elbows to the head before the referee forces him to break off. Burl goes back into the centre of the ring at her demand before Chad suddenly bursts out of the corner with Pop Up.

LeRay: "Oh! Pop Up outta nowhere! 1-2---No!"

Chad confirms with the ref that it was just a 2 before going back to the corner for another running knee. Burl manages to get out of the way and whacks Shredsbury with a monstrous lariat to counter. Both men are trying to collect themselves on the mat - and it's only been 1 minute!

[Chad Shredsbury]

LeRay. It’s a little unsettling watching Burl go from being so sheepish and feigning kindness to the viciousness of that lariat, Sean. I don’t know if I can ever get used to it.

Beeman. It’s to be expected at this point, LeRay. Burl is a master of ring psychology as well as a brute force between the ropes. This being a make or break match for these two is a travesty.

LeRay. Well, referee Tasha West arrives at a six count before both men make it to their feet here. And Chad tries another charge and Burl sucks under then turns around for the return and throws a l other lariat— this time it’s Shredsbury ducking under the swing and he springs off the second rope and smashes a beautiful disaster kick to Bayou that sends him down. Chad quickly follows up with a lionsault, but Burl brings his knees up, oh just crushing Chad’s chest with that counter.

Beeman. Absolutely tough to watch the impact of that and now both men on the mat again as West begins a new ten count. You ca see how hard they are both going for it right out the gate here, LeRay!

[Bayou Burl]

West gets to a count of 5 before both men get back to their feet. The desperation is apparent as Burl dashes at Shredsbury, trying to catch him off guard with Burl's Big Hug, but his opponent wriggles out. Chad tries to roll up Burl off the back of it but only gets a 2.


LeRay: "Big move after big move and breakneck pace here as both men know the stakes of this one."

Both men spring up once more after the roll up and Chad nails a beautiful drop kick, sending Burl back towards the ropes. He follows up with another one, sending Burl over the top rope and onto the apron. Chad hops over the top rope to follow up on the assault.


LeRay: "Chad measuring up Burl, what's he looking for--Oh! Burl catches him! Uranage on the ring apron!"

Beeman: "The hardest part of the ring!!" 

Chad writhes in pain as he bounces off the ring apron onto the floor outside. Burl lands on his feet on the outside before rolling back into the ring - happy to take a win by means he can - as West begins the count to 10 once more.

[Chad Shredsbury]

LeRay. Bayou Burl taking a break here, catching his breath as Chad slowly gets back to his feet on the arena floor. Tasha West continues the count and Shredsbury appears ready he’s back on the apron at a seven count.

Beeman. The ever resilient Chad springboards off the top rope but gets caught head on by the powerful Burl in a bear hug position. But Burl gives a big squeeze and then launches Shredsbury into an overhead belly to belly suplex.

LeRay. Chad looked more like an astronaut than a surfer on that one, Sean!

Beeman. Burl quickly follows that move with another cover and another two count by West!

LeRay. And this time there will be no rest as Bayou Burl lays a few stomps into the much admired midsection of the chiseled Chad, who looks to be feeling every last one of them.

[Bayou Burl]

Burl goes for another pin but gets another 2. He waits for Chad to get to his knees before setting him up for a powerbomb.

Beeman: "Burl looking for a powerbomb, brings Shredsbury up and...Down! Powerbomb connects! Must be it now! 1-2--No!"

LeRay: "Gotta admire the guts of Shredsbury, kicking out after all of that!"

Beeman: "Yeah, any guts Burl hasn't knocked out of him in the last 2 minutes..."

Burl, a look of frustration on his face, contemplates what to do next before setting up another powerbomb. He hoists Chad up again, but this time Shredsbury manages to counter

LeRay: "Shredsbury able to get out of that one---Another roll up here! 1-2--No!"

Shredsbury, clearly getting a rush of adrenaline, springs up to his feet and kicks Burl in the face before he can do the same. He follows up with another one, then another before running off the ropes and nailing a knee to the face. Chad's momentum carries him past Burl and he collapses into the ropes after finishing the flurry, exhausted.

LeRay: "Burl looks like he could be knocked a little loopy by all these hits to the face, but Chad can't take advantage of it!"

Both men take a moment to gather themselves before Burl musters himself up to one knee  - realising the match is by no means over - as Chad uses the ropes to hoist himself up as well.

 LeRay: "Big moment in the match - who can capitalise here??"

[Chad Shredsbury]

LeRay. Bayou Burl comes barreling at Chad with a huge clothesline! But Shredsbury gets low and uses Burl’s own momentum to stun gun him on the ropes!

Beeman. Chad beat Penguino in last year’s J1 with this very move!

LeRay. Very slow to make the cover though as both men are hurting. Chad drapes his arm over the burly, well… Burl.

Beeman. Another heart stopping two count!

LeRay. And not only has Burl popped his shoulder up but he’s grabbed that loose arm of Chad and he’s wrenching it into an armbar for all he’s worth!

[Bayou Burl]

Shredsbury just manages to get a foot on the bottom rope and Burl is forced to break the hold, which he keeps on for as long as he can. As the pair rise to their feet Burl rushes at Chad to clothesline him out of the ring again, but Shredsbury ducks and instead Burl is sent onto the apron. Chad hits Burl with a stiff elbow and he's sent down to the floor.

LeRay: "Looks like Shredsbury is gonna go for a suicide dive to the outside! Here he comes!"

Shredsbury grits through the pain and manages to hit a suicide dive to Burl on the outside, sending him to the ground. As Burl lies there exhausted Chad looks down at him and decides to go for some decisive action. He climbs onto the ring apron and gathers himself.

LeRay: "What's he gonna do here, he's looking down at Burl and--Oh! Hang 10 off the ring apron!"

Beeman: "But look at him he's grimacing too! He must've landed awkwardly! His ankle looks like it's in a lot of pain!"

As Burl rolls over and clutches his stomach, Shredsbury grabs at his ankle. It's clear that whilst it's done a lot of damage to Burl, the move - along with the rest of the match - has also done a number on Chad. Both men rise slowly as West's count reaches 7. If either of them is going to get back into the ring it looks to be Shredsbury - he rises up to his feet as Burl struggles up to a knee just behind him.


LeRay: "Shredsbury making it back to his feet...Can he get back into the ring in time?? He's almost there!"

However, just as it looks like Chad is about to make it back to the ring before the count of 10, Burl lunges up and grabs him by the arm, spins him around and nails Burl's Big Hug on the outside. Neither man moves from the ground after that, and the referees count reaches 10 as the match is declared a draw. As both men come too, they both realise their chances in the J1 have now essentially gone up in smoke.