NWA Great American Bash 2014 RESULTS

[Dustin Smith]

Sunday, July 20th
Madison Square Garden
New York, New York

Grudge Match
Paul London vs James Gibson

This is it, finally we get to see these two settle the score. London refused to compete in the tournament for the NWA New York Junior Heavyweight Title, as having wrestled Christopher Daniels in the main event of Starrcade for the World Heavyweight Title he felt he was above a Junior title. Gibson took exception to this, standing up for the Junior Heavyweights, and a bitter rivalry has ensued since that has also involved London's Texus and Gibson's allies Jimmy Yang and Justin Gabriel.
The match itself was a fantastic cruiserweight battle, filled with intensity as at times the chess game on the mat and the high flying gave way to pure hatred as they beat the hell out of each other. But the match was to have some major twists and turns along the way.
Around halfway through, World Junior Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan appeared on the ramp and started watching things from there. London several weeks before this event asked Bryan to "rejoin The Texus" by coming out during the match and making sure none of Gibson's friends get involved, so does this mean that he has rejoined? London seemed to think so by applauding him, but Bryan didn't look like he was there for that reason.
After a period of dominance by London, he missed a Londons Calling and Gibson mounted a fightback. London then inadvertently took out the ref during an irish whip spot, and that was when The Texus got involved. Michael Shane and Spanky ran down and started helping London beat on Gibson, with Bryan still standing there watching. Jimmy Yang and Justin Gabriel ran out for the save, and that is when Daniel Bryan decided to make his move. He headed for the ring and grabbed a chair, looking like he was ready to help his buddies out. He gets in the ring AND HITS LONDON WITH THE CHAIR! SHANE AND SPANKY GET SHOTS AS WELL! Bryan leaves the ring shouting "NO, NO, NO!" as Gabriel and Yang clear Spanky and Shane from the ring and London stumbles to his feet. GIBSON DRIVER! 1-2-3, GIBSON WINS IT!Winner- James Gibson

James Gibson has overcome Paul London and The Texus, and London can no longer call Gibson and other junior heavyweights inferior, they have proven that they are just as capable, if not more capable than London and his Texus are, as they all leave seething with rage. Everybody else turns to leave, except Gibson who takes the mic.

Gibson: "Daniel Bryan, I might just have gone through a war but I want to talk to you in this ring right now boy. "

Bryan obliges and gets back into the ring.

Gibson: "Now Daniel, I'm sure you remember how this whole thing got started. You and me had a match at Night of Champions right here in New York, and boy, had it not been for Paul London getting involved I'd have made you tap out in the Trailer Hitch and I'd be holding that belt right now. "

Bryan doesn't look pleased by that comment, but reluctantly nods.

Gibson: "Now that Paul London's done, I think its time we finished what we started. Whether I win or lose, I want you one more time Daniel Bryan, at Summerfest on August 3rd, to prove once and for all who the best junior wrestler in the world is. Are you up for the challenge boy?"

Bryan doesn't answer, instead pointing his arms to the sky and letting the fans answer for him. YES! YES! YES! The two have a staredown and exchange a handshake, as Bryan leaves and Gibson celebrates his victory some more.

NWA WINDY CITY HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
"The Masterpiece" Chris Masters [c] vs "The Future of UK Wrestling" Drew McIntyre

This was a rematch from their recent first title match in Chicago. In their first outing after a ref-bump, Drew McIntyre had hit Chris Masters with his Future Shock DDT sending him tumbling through the rope to earn a count-out victory. The win though would not see Drew win the championship, as that is of course only exchangeable via pinfall or submission.

Masters came into this match this time fully prepared and focused, with many believing that although he was unlucky not to beat McIntyre due to the ref-bump as he had the challengers shoulders down for the three while the ref was out - he definitely underestimated McIntyre, who showed then and also tonight that he has bags of potential.

The challenger and champion went toe-to-toe in the rematch with neither wanting to take a backwards step. Masters wanting to prove why he has been the champion of Windy City for so long and McIntyre wanting to show the world that he's ready to take a step up with the world watching. This was a very entertaining match-up full of quality brawling and big man power-moves, mixed with the pose and intelligence of the two men competing who made this a somewhat game of human chess within the ropes with both men trying to calculate their moves, and that of their opponents, three steps ahead.

The finish came when McIntyre nailed Chris Masters with his Future Shock DDT and made the cover. The ref struck three and McIntyre thought he had the big win but unknown to him 'The Masterpiece' had managed to shoot his right leg over the bottom rope just in time. McIntyre was parading around the ring thinking he had won and Masters sneaked up behind him ready for the 'Master-Lock'...but Chris stopped dead in his tracks, and instead paused and tapped McIntyre on the shoulder and Drew swung round facing him.

Masters tells Drew he's showed him plenty and although he could have, he didn't want to win like that! McIntyre nods his head in acknowledgement but takes a swing for the champion. Masters ducked, swift elbow to the throat and knee to the gut. Masters hoists up McIntyre and plants him with the Master-Brain! His secondary finisher, a Brain Buster! Masters swiftly covers 1-2-3, it's all over!

Chris Masters retains and is presented with the NWA Windy City Heavyweight Title belt as McIntyre slowly slides out of the ring holding his head making his way back to the back. Masters, out of breath grabs the mike.

Chris Masters: You know what, tonight Drew McIntyre, you gave me one hell of a fight. Much like you did last time on Fight Night. Only this time I expected it and you definitely brought it! Your time will come soon I'm sure of that.

But something happened to me! You woke me up. I admit that. You made me realise I've been coasting. Been pushing back challengers in Windy City for a long-time, doing enough to win, but enough to improve? Enough to get me noticed in the grand scheme of the NWA? I'm not so sure?

Well, I should be moving forwards. I'm The Masterpiece. I'm Chris freaking Masters. Just look at me?! You can put me on a mantle piece and just stand back and admire me! I'm a promoters dream!

Not only do I look great, I also wrestle great! I've held this belt for close to 2 years ...now it's time to make some moves in the National Wrestling Alliance! It's time I feel...to test the Masterpiece!

Samoa Joe... CM Punk...whoever comes out of the World's title match tonight is a marked man. The Masterpiece will have you in cheque-mate soon enough let me assure you....but before that, I'm intending to go on a little tour-de-force of the NWA! I'm letting it be known that I want to take a little journey around the NWA taking on all your champions and all of your top fighting men. Win, lose or draw...I'm going to fight the best, compete with the best and eventually become the best!

NWA promoters - don't be scared to book the Masterpiece I promise not to make your champions look toooo bad *smirks*.

I'm going to spread the word, spread the name, make it known throughout the NWA Kingdom, that The Masterpiece Chris Masters is getting ready to make a climb, Chris Masters is going to scale for the top!

TAG TEAM MATCH
"King" Brodus Clay and John Cena vs The Rock and Michael Elgin

There is a lot at stake going into this matchup, It all got started when Brodus Clay gave beatdown after beatdown to Michael Elgin, first after losing to him in the finals of the Extreme League, then tossing him off the stage at Night of Champions and taking his belt a week later on NWA New York TV. Brodus went after The Rock when he made his return to the NWA, with Rock laying the smackdown on him there, but Brodus gave both he and Elgin a vicious beatdown 1 week later which saw us head towards this match. John Cena just 2 days ago made his intentions known that he wanted to team with Brodus, because they were both seen as comedic characters and as expendable in the past and both want to make their name on one of the biggest PPV's of the year.
The match itself was a highly entertaining affair, maybe not the best from a pure wrestling standpoint, but the entertainment value was off the charts at times as it always is when The Rock steps between the ropes. Rock looked better than he ever has in there, his stamina has been questioned in recent years but he didn't looked gassed at any point here and his skills looked as sharp as they ever have. Rock and Brodus seemed to mix it up a lot, proving to be quite an even pairing with Rock making fire filled comebacks against King Brodus's raw power. Elgin and Cena also went at it a fair bit, with Cena matching up well with a much young opponent and the two having an even contest.
Elgin would eventually get isolated from his partner, getting beatdown two on one a lot with Rock not helping by trying to get involved one too many times. Clay called for the G-Grip, BUT ELGIN REVERSES TO A GERMAN SUPLEX! That was massively impressive as Elgin crawls over to Rock AND MAKES THE TAG! Rock cleans house on both Brodus, taking him down after not one nor two, but THREE Clotheslines, and even that didn't keep Brodus down for long. SAMOAN DROP BY THE ROCK! 1-2-NO, a near fall but both Rock and Elgin are showing a lot of power to lift a man who weighs nearly 400 pounds!
Elgin and Cena brawl to the outside as Clay finally overcomes The Rock and looks to finish it, hitting the G-Grip! 1-2-NO, THE ROCK KICKS OUT! On the outside of the ring, THE SWITCHBLADE CONSPIRACY ARE ATTACKING CENA AND ELGIN! The ref is trying to stop the attack but they refuse, and the ref doesn't want to end this in a no contest. I can understand them attacking Cena, but why are they attacking Elgin, he doesn't have a problem with them!
Clay uses the distraction of the ref as an opportunity to grab a steel chair, draping it over The Rock and going for the Brodus Bomb. BUT ROCK MOVES AND BRODUS HITS THE CHAIR! Brodus stumbles to his feet and Rock grabs the chair AND LEVELS HIM WITH IT, BUSTING HIM OPEN! ROCK BOTTOM! 1-2-NO, BRODUS KICK OUT! The Rock throws off the elbow pad and signals for the most electrifying move in sports and entertainment. He charges the first rope and the second, PEOPLES ELBOW! 1-2-3, THE ROCK PINS BRODUS CLAY!
Winners- The Rock and Michael Elgin

The Rock celebrates, but not for long as The Switchblade Conspiracy, having completely incapacitated Cena and Elgin on the outside turn to The Rock, seemingly trying to take everybody out to make their names. They fire away with punches on The Rock and throw him with an irish whip, looking for a Double Clothesline. But Rock ducks underneath, DOUBLE ROCK BOTTOM! The fans are eating this all up as The Rock poses on the turnbuckle and soaks in the cheers, before helping Michael Elgin and John Cena alongside officials, the two having to be carried out of there. Clay ignores them walks backstage frustrated after losing on live PPV, after his King of the Ring success he seems to have had a bad few weeks, and needs to pick things up before his inevitable singles matches with both The Rock and Michael Elgin!

NWA WORLD JUNIOR TITLE MATCH
Prince Devitt vs. Daniel Bryan(c)

There was some hesitance in the beginning of this match as both men sized the other up trying to find the best point of attack. The opening exchange was a lightning fast chain of holds that ended with a stale mate. The ultra arrogant Devitt would smirk at the champion who would only watch on waiting for the next exchange. The next exchange saw Devitt getting the advantage slapping Bryan across the face! The shot would bewilder the champion for a second as Devitt would try again to match holds with Bryan, with the champion getting the best of the exchange before slapping the challenger in retaliation! These two men looked to leave it all in the ring as Devitt went for a bloody Sunday early only to have Bryan counter into a crossface chickenwing! Devitt looked panicked but was able to get some momentum and drop down hurling Daniel through the turnbuckles driving his shoulder into the post! Devitt would keep the champ in the corner lighting him up with chops and kicks wearing down the wounded champion. Devitt tried to score with a leg lariat in the corner to inflict some serious punishment to Bryan, but Daniel would duck under letting Prince Devitt crash into the corner, hung up in the ropes. The American Dragon would pepper the midsection of Devitt with vicious kicks over and over until Devitt would pop up and over the ropes to the outside! Prince Devitt looked to rest on the outside but Daniel would come through the ropes like a dart sending both men crashing into the barricade. The champion would try to whip Devitt into the side of the ring but the Prince would counter slamming Daniel into the turnbuckle post again! Devitt was relentless grabbing and tossing Daniel into the turnbuckle post over and over! The ref almost counted both men out but the match made it back into the ring where Devitt would bring down the injured champion with a beautiful dropkick, trying to come off the top with a double stomp! Bryan would roll out of the way and eventually catch Devitt in a lebelle lock! Prince Devitt would cry out in pain as he tried to fight out of the hold eventually getting a foot on the bottom rope! Devitt was favoring his arm now trying to shake out the pain, but he didn’t see as Daniel would blindside him with a running double knee! Daniel looked to get pumped up climbing to the top rope getting the crowd to rise from their collective seats! Devitt out of desperation would scale the ropes fighting with the champion in the high rent district. The two men would rage war until Daniel headbutted Devitt enough to send him crashing back to the mat! The American Dragon would come off the top rope with a diving head butt that nearly got him the victory! Daniel Bryan looked frustrated but continued to defend his championship against his tough challenger tonight. Daniel was able to slap on the lebelle lock again thsi time Devitt was to spent and was forced to submit!

NWA WORLD WOMENS TITLE MATCH
Heidi Lovelace vs. AJ Lee(c)

AJ Lee has had a lengthy run as the World Women's champion and recently thwarted the "Dark Angel" Sarah Stock to retain the title on iPPV in her home promotion, Liberty Pro. Heidi Lovelace has also been a longtime champion, holding the Women's title in the Ohio Valley territory, where the competition is pretty stiff and she has never failed to impress. Coming into this match Lovelace looked like she might be favored, having a height and weight advantage and a lot of momentum coming in. Lee, however, shows why she has had such an iron grip on the championship and has been able to take and vanquish all comers, putting together a tight strategy to go against Lovelace's strengths. Lee would come out fast and hard, taking some big shots from Lovelace and getting taken down early, but ultimately her strategy would work, knocking Lovelace off balance and setting her up for the "Black Widow's" ground game, which was very strong on this night. Both women favor the Shining Wizard as a finisher and both would try to use it to no avail, leading them to seek other options. Lee would finally score pay dirt, countering a corner rush from Lovelace that sent her challenger into the turnpost and delivering a big Shiranui, which was enough to keep the over zealous Lovelace down for the three and allow Lee to retain her championship for yet another night.

NWA North American Tag Team Championships
Brian Cage & Caleb Konley vs. Matt Taven & Mike Bennett (c) vs. Tommaso Ciampa & Zack Sabre Jr.

For the NWA North American Tag Team Championships, we have an interesting triple threat tag team match. One year ago at the Great American Bash in Boston, Brian Cage and Matt Taven defeated the Faces of Fear to become the new champions. Cage and Taven, along with their stable mates Mike Bennett, Samuray del Sol, Tommaso Ciampa, and Zack Sabre Jr., defended the titles under the Freebird Rules, meaning any of the six men could defend the championships!

The Pistols broke away – eventually leaving their host promotion, NWA Hybrid Pro, for elsewhere in the Alliance – and now the Champions are recognized as Matt Taven and Mike Bennett, wrestling out of the newly formed NWA Mid Atlantic promotion. Their first opponents are former Pistol Brian Cage and his partner Caleb Konley, coming from Pennsylvania’s NWA Liberty Pro. Cage has made it his mission to become the undisputed tag team champion with his partner. Their second opponents are the UK Pistols, Tommaso Ciampa and Zack Sabre Jr., former Pistols looking to restake their claim as North American Champions once again!

Nothing but action in this triple threat match as each team is able to send one participant into the ring at a time. Cage, Bennett, and Ciampa start for their respective teams and the three immediately get into a shouting contest before Cage opens things up with a dropkick to the back of Bennett, who had turned his attention to Ciampa. Bennett knocks into Ciampa, who takes offence to this, throwing right hands to Bennet’s face!

This kicked off the war as each team was able to showcase their strengths and expose the other teams’ weaknesses. The ending came when Bennett lifted Sabre up for a Piledriver. Ciampa broke up the maneuver, sending Bennett to the outside of the ring. Cage hit the Weapon X on Sabre and Konley followed that with the Oh! Face Pendulum Crab, and Sabre is out! He is not moving and the referee is about to call for the match to end via knockout when Matt Taven breaks up the hold!

Ciampa also gets back into the ring and knocks Cage over the ropes with a clothesline! Taven kicks Konley to the outside of the ring and hits a flying cross body splash! As Ciampa whips Cage into the guardrails, Bennett slides into the ring and delivers a Piledriver to Sabre! Bennett goes for the cover as Ciampa runs to make the save!

The referee’s hand hits the mat for the three count just before Ciampa can save his partner and the Pistols have won the match, retaining their titles and becoming the Undisputed North American Tag Team Champions in the process!

NWA NORTH AMERICAN TITLE MATCH
Harry Smith vs. Mark Jindrak(c)

Jindrak recently managed to lift the North American championship from the seemingly unstoppable "Canadian Bulldog" Harry Smith, shocking the world before going on to Phialdelphia to fight the ferocious Chris Dickinson to a draw in his first defense. Smith was apparently looking past his defense with Jindrak, and it was obviously a mistake, and Smith looked to rectify that mistake as he looked to take back what he believed to be his. Many fans who watched that initial match would agree with Smith, mind you, as it is ambiguous whether or not the referee of that match blew a call and counted Smith's shoulders down. Many in attendance believed that the now former champion had actually kicked out of the fateful lateral press that allowed the title to change hands, giving this match greater meaning as it also serves as a chance for Mark Jindrak to silence any critics, doubters, or "haters" and prove, once and for all, that he is the rightful holder of that championship title.

The fans in attendance here in Madison Square Garden were actually firmly behind Harry Smith here, or maybe they were just against Jindrak, but in any case, this was not a split crowd. There are theories as to why this was, but whatever the case, Jindrak seemed to thrive in the role and played into it, showing Smith little to no respect throughout as he would land his offense and utilize counters, playing to the crowd and egging them on as they booed and jeered the former WCW Power Plant trainee.

Jindrak would actually play that point up, deep in the heart of old WWF and, to a smaller yet perhaps more passionate extent, ECW country, yelling, "W-C-W!" before delivering a huge Springboard Shoulderblock that earned him a two count, but more so the unbridled rage of the crowd for his general smugness and supposed elitist attitude.

Harry Smith was also a member of the WCW at one point, mind you, as pretty much every major star was at one time or another after they bought out all of the other business in town in the mid-2000's, but his father, Davey Boy Smith, was undoubtedly one of the biggest stars of the WWF in the early 90's and they would cheer on Smith as he utilized some of the mannerisms of the late "British Bulldog" before putting Jindrak down with a big Running Powerslam, his old man's pet maneuver, to earn a very close two count.

So close, in fact, that the fans would once again cry foul!

Smith wouldn't waste much time, however, going for the finishing hold of another great WWF star, perhaps "The Best There Is, the Best There Was, and the Best There Ever Will Be", his uncle Bret Hart's Sharpshooter, only to have it countered into a quick School Boy by Mark Jindrak! Mark Jindrak hangs on, and it's all over! Jindrak manages to get the flash three count, and these fans are going absolutely insane with disbelief!

Jindrak doesn't waste much time gloating in the ring; instead, he opts to roll under the ropes and grab his championship belt, waving goodbye sarcastically before slapping the faceplate of the championship before staring into it as he makes his way up the ramp and shouting, "NOW THAT'S THE REFLECTION OF PERFECTION!"

These New York fans are outraged, but give Smith encouragement, chanting, "Thank you, Harry!" supporting his solid efforts for the night. Smith is very visibly disappointed, however, falling short again but still taking time to slap some hands on the way out, showing his overall classy character even at his lowest point.

NWA WORLD TAG TEAM TITLE MATCH
The Briscoes vs. The Rockstars of Wrestling(c) w/ Lena Yada

These two teams know each other very well and have literally battled each other all over the world! The match started with Rave and Mark trading holds with Rave getting the best of Mark getting him into the wrong part of the ring as the Rockstars cut the ring in half. Rave and Morrison would make quick tags keeping the younger Briscoe away from his hard hitting older brother, and Yada loved every second of it! Rave would put down Mark with a surprise superkick tagging out to Morrison who added insult to injury with a corkscrew froggy bo for a scary two count! The crowd was a bit in awe after the move and started chanting “This is Awesome!” Morrison and Rave tried to keep in control but Mark would fight out with his redneck kung fu! It gave him the opening he needed to tag out to his brother Jay who made sure to punish both members of the Rockstars with heavy hands! In the confusion of everything going on Yada would low blow Jay allowing for Rave to pick up a tainted victory!

The crowd was freaking out as Mark and Jay would talk to the confused ref. This brought out the NWA President Dustin Smith who not only ejected Yada from ringside, he also restarted this match up!

The match got underway again as both teams knew that they had to pull out all the stops. Rave would try for another superkick but Mark would reverse and apply an STF that had Rave scrambling to the rope for much needed relief. Mark tried to keep up the pressure but Rave would use an eye gouge slithering back to Morrison who would keep Jay from getting tagged in again. Morrison would eventually try for the split legged corkscrew moonsault with Mark getting his knees up tagging in Jay as Morrison tags in Rave! Jay would clean house before trying for the J-Driller on Rave, but Jimmy would fight it forcing Jay to plant him with Rave’s own pedigree! Jay would get a two count with Rave’s favorite finish as this match continued with Jay battering Jimmy with clubbing blows. Jay would blast Rave with a huge lariat that almost got him another victory but Morrison would break up the pin! Mark would hit the ring as both teams battled in the middle of the rings with the challengers getting the advantage! Rave would be alone in the ring with both Briscoes who took him out with a doomsday device! Jay would put his elbow across the face of Rave holding him down for a three count to bring the NWA World Tag Titles back to the Briscoes!

Before the main event gets started, the commentators go over the last time they met. It was Spring Stampede, some 3 months ago, when in the final of the tournament to crown a new NWA World Heavyweight champion due to the vacancy caused by the retirement of The Fallen Angel Christopher Daniels. Both Samoa Joe and CM Punk first had to go through their semi final opponents before advancing to the finals, ultimately won by Joe. Tonight Punk gets his rematch and there will be no wild cards or unanswered questions of whether or not the semi final match had any impact on the final. Tonight it is Samoa Joe vs CM Punk, 1 on 1, for the NWA World Heavyweight Title.

Cult of Personality hits the PA as the challenger heads out first. No introduction yet as CM Punk enters the ring and seems psyched up for this opportunity. After some gesturing and posing, the music stops and Punk heads to the corner where he leans over and waits. The music of the World champion hits and Samoa Joe walks out, towel around his neck, ready to go. He locks eyes on Punk and the tension could be cut with a knife as he enters the ring, never turning his back and immediately taking to the opposite corner as Punk stands back up. No theatrics for Joe as he is all business and staring a hole in his opponent, and now so too is Punk.

Justin Roberts: Ladies and gentlemen, it is now time for the main event! This match is scheduled for 1 fall and it is for the NWA World Heavyweight championship! Introducing first, the challenger. He hails from Chicago, Illinois, and weighs in at 218 pounds. C.M. Punk! And his opponent. He hails from The Isle of Samoa, and weighs in at 289 pounds. He is the reigning and defending NWA Heavyweight champion of the world, Samoa Joe!

The 2 wrestlers head to the middle of the ring as the referee goes over some rules. The commentators make note that at Spring Stampede the 2 shook hands at this point, but not tonight. This match is for the richest prize in the NWA and respect seems to be out the window. Punk wants that title and Joe knows he will do anything to get it. They both back up, eyes still locked. The bell rings.

NWA World Heavyweight Title match
Samoa Joe (c) vs CM Punk

The 2 wrestlers circle the ring before a lock up that sees Joe backing Punk up the turnbuckles. The referee gets in there and we have a clean break. Joe backs up and motions for Punk to come forward leading the challenger to look out to the crowd. They circle and lock up a second time, with Punk dropping to 1 knee and coming up fast to try and push Joe, but instead the champ reverses Punk and throws him into the turnbuckle. Joe backs up and readies to charge in but Punk is able to hop through the ropes and outside to the floor for a breather. Joe yells for him to get back in there but Punk tells him they do this on his time. Punk goes up the steps as Joe sits on the ropes to hold them open for the challenger. Punk tells the referee to get him back and Joe does so, yelling "come on!". Punk heads up to the apron and gets into the ring ready to get this underway. They circle a third time before locking up. This time around Punk gets the arm of Joe out and behind into a hammerlock. Joe feels around before reversing it, but Punk is able to quickly reverse it himself, dropping Joe down in a drop down toe hold. Punk gets up and now it is he who signals for the World champion to come on, only upsetting Joe as he lays looking up. Joe gets up and rather than a lock up, he charges at Punk. The challenger steps aside as Joe's own momentum sends him into the corner, but he stops himself and instead turns around. As Punk turns, Joe charges back with a big clothesline and things are heating up.

Samoa Joe brings CM Punk back up to his feet and starts laying in with punches to back him into the ropes. Joe whips Punk across into the ropes and catches him coming back with a back elbow to the face. Joe grabs Punk and quickly tries setting him up for the Muscle Buster already! Way too early for that as Punk manages to drop out and roll to the floor a second time. Unlike the first time he pulled this, no break here as Joe is out right after him. Joe grabs Punk and slams him face first into the apron. Punk feels around as if to check if a tooth is knocked loose as Joe grabs him for an irish whip into the barricade. Punk manages to reverse it though and Joe goes flying in back first. With the referee's count getting up, Punk rolls in and rolls out to break the count as the commentators remind viewers that unlike the last encounter, Punk is a greater disadvantage here as he must win by pinfall or submission, hence the aversion to a count out. Punk goes to Joe and gives him a right hand before they go towards the ring where Punk rolls Joe back in under the bottom rope. Punk immediately follows.

Joe gets to his knees as Punk begins kicking him with Muay Thai kicks. A big roundhouse sends Joe down and we have our first cover of the match as Punk barely gets a 2 count. Punk tells the referee to count faster as Joe again gets to his knees. Staring up at Punk, he takes some more Muay Thai kicks to the shoulders. Punk then turns and runs to the ropes, bouncing off and heading back. Joe however gets up and Punk runs into his waiting arm as Joe lifts Punk up and drives him down into the mat with a Rock Bottom type move. Punk takes that hard as Joe picks him up and hits him with an inverted atomic drop, followed quickly by a running single leg dropkick. With Punk down, Joe hits a running senton and covers, much like his opponent though, only getting a 2 before Punk kicks out. Joe gets up and takes Punk to the turnbuckle before irish whipping him in hard to the opposite corner and charging in with a corner forearm smash. Punk takes a few steps forward from the impact as Joe hits the ropes and catches Punk with a big lariat that has the challenger twisting through the air. Joe covers as he lands but still only a 2. Joe grabs Punk and lifts him up for a Death Valley Driver, but Punk starts firing off elbows to the head and instead drops behind the champion. As Joe turns, Punk delivers some forearms before backing up and charging, but Joe ducks and sends Punk up and over the top rope to the floor with a back body drop. Punk is down as Joe runs the ropes and charges for a big suicide dive to the floor.

CM Punk manages to get out of the way and Samoa Joe ends up going landing on the mats. Punk slides in and hits the ropes himself, coming back at the champion with a suicide dive of his own and this time, it connects. Punk rolls Joe back in and heads to the apron. The champion gets up as the challenger waits for him to turn around. When Joe does, Punk leaps up to the top rope and hits a big springboard clothesline that puts Joe down on the mat. The champ goes to the corner to get himself up, but leaves himself open to Punk charging in with a step up high knee, immediately followed by a bulldog. Punk covers and gets a 2 count, the closest fall of the match so far as things are starting to turn around here for the challenger. Punk puts on arm wrench, steps a leg over the wrenched arm and delivers a mule kick to the face. That transitions into a DDT and Joe is down. Punk looks to the corner and with Joe prone, he heads out to the apron. Punk climbs to the top rope and raises his arms to the air. In his best Randy Savage tribute, Punk flies with a diving elbow drop to the World champion and covers ...

... 1


... 2


... NO!

Samoa Joe is able to get a shoulder up before the 3, but CM Punk is putting on the pressure now. As Joe gets to a knee, Punk hits him with a shining wizard and covers to pick up a not as close 2 count. Punk goes to a head lock as Joe remains downed, but gets up to his feet. Punk moves the arms slightly and now has a sleeper locked in. He jumps up and latches onto the back to try and force Joe back down to the mat. The champ drops down to 1 knee and starts looking like he might be going out, but just like turning a switch, he instead steps back up and lifts Punk up, driving backwards to send Punk back first into the turnbuckle. It does not break the hold though. A second time does the trick as Joe frees himself from Punk's grasp. Joe shakes off the cobwebs and turns to Punk charging at him, but counters with a Samoan drop instead. Joe gets up and pulls Punk to the middle of the ring, locking in the STF!

The first submission of the match and CM Punk is in the middle of the ring with nowhere to go. Samoa Joe's grasp of the hold is firm, but Punk has some fight left to give. He refuses to submit and instead starts an attempt at pulling himself towards the ropes. Just as he is about to reach them, Joe lets go, stands and pulls Punk back to the middle of the ring where he again locks it on. Punk this time tries to use what little strength he has left to physically force Joe's hands apart. It starts working, leading Joe to quickly get to his feet and drop his weight onto the back of Punk. Joe picks Punk up from there and positions him. He hits him with a folding powerbomb and goes back into the STF! Punk is going to find no escape from this submission attempt except to give up. He starts another crawl towards the ropes. That last inch seems like a mile though and Punk seems ready to tap. It is either reach the rope or tap as something has to give. With his last effort, Punk manages to get his hand on the bottom rope and the referee gives Joe a 5 count to break. CM Punk gets to the corner but Samoa Joe is in fast and gives a facewash with the bottom of his boot. With Punk still reeling, Joe runs away to the opposite corner and charges back with a running knee to the face. Joe grabs Punk and goes behind to hit him with a big German suplex. That gets followed by a dragon suplex. Just to complete the trio, Joe hits the X-Plex and Punk is down, maybe event finished. Joe covers ...


... 1


... 2


... NO!

CM Punk is able to get a shoulder up just before the 3 count. Samoa Joe seems disappointed but is relentless in his quest to finish the challenger off. Joe brings Punk up and throws him to the corner, charging in with a back splash. Before Punk can move, Joe leaps back with an enziguiri. Joe pulls Punk forward and lifts him up for the muscle buster! Punk however is able to instead drop back to his feet. As Joe turns, he kicks him in the gut and locks in a double underhook. Punk tries to lift Joe up but the first attempt fails as it will take a lot at this point. He gets better footing, tries again, and hits the double underhook backbreaker! Welcome to Chicago, Motherf*cker! Punk cannot immediately capitalize though as Joe has taken a lot out of him. As both wrestlers slowly get to their feet, Joe heads to Punk but gets kicked in the gut. Punk hits an armtrap swinging neckbreaker and Joe goes down. Punk quickly locks in the Anaconda Vise! Now it is Joe's turn to tap and if he does, it will cost him the World Title! Punk yells for Joe to tap as the champion tries breaking the grip before readying for the inevitable. He holds a hand up and seems ready to surrender, but at the last minute rolls them with Punk landing back on top in position, but Joe moving closer to the ropes. They roll again and Joe is able to get to the bottom rope for a break.

CM Punk gets up and grabs Samoa Joe to bring him to the middle of the ring again. Punk lifts Joe up and appears to be setting up for the Go to Sleep! If Punk hits the GTS, it is over! Joe however starts ramming elbows to the head to get back to the mat. Joe turns Punk but the challenger gets a kick to the gut first. Punk lifts Joe up again for it and this time he hits it! GO TO SLEEP! Punk covers ...


... 1


... 2


... 3!

Or so it would seem from the fans counting along, but Joe just gets a shoulder up as the referee's hand hits for the third time. Punk was literally a split second away from the title and has to be wondering what it will take to finish Joe once and for all here, if anything?!? Punk gets up and starts bringing Joe up and looks to the corner. Could this be the Pepsi Plunge? Punk sits himself up on the top rope and fires off a chop to Joe's chest for the hell of it before locking in the double underhook. He starts bringing Joe up. First rope. Second rope! Punk stands!! As he readies to hit the move, Joe drops down to the mat and counts. He locks Punk in from the position. Punk is held in place as Joe walks to the middle of the ring. MUSCLE BUSTER! This is it as Joe hits his signature move and covers a motionless Punk ...


... 1


... 2


... 3!

Again, that close! The fans chant along but Punk is just barely able to get a shoulder up before the win, returning the favor from his own GTS on Joe. Joe would seem to have control of the match as he gets up and stalks Punk. As Punk gets up, Joe heads in and locks in the Coquina Clutch! This is what finished Punk last time! This move cost Punk the match at Spring Stampede and it may very well do the same again here at the Great American Bash! Punk starts fading. He reaches hopelessly for the ropes as Joe leaps up, locks his legs in and falls back to bring them to the mat. There will be no escaping this. Punk still however reaches for the ropes. He gets close, but not close enough as Joe repositions him to face the wrong way. The referee comes in and lifts Punk arm. He still has enough in him that it is not dropping yet. The referee waits a bit, steps back in, lifts it and this time, it drops for 1! The referee steps in and lifts it again, it drops for 2! The referee steps in and lifts it again, but Punk keeps it up. But it slowly falls down for a third time.

For the second time, Samoa Joe defeats CM Punk by submission with the Coquina Clutch. Samoa Joe will retain the World Title as the fans stand and give both men the obligatory applause for their effort here. Punk is out like a light, eventually rolling out to the floor as Joe celebrates the win. Punk watches and goes to leave, but Joe wants him back in the ring. Punk seems to just want to hit the showers, but Joe takes a mic so that he can address him.

Samoa Joe: CM Punk, it's not ending like this. Get back in here and get back in here NOW before I come out there and get you myself!

Punk seems confused by this, as are the commentators. Joe just beat Punk, furthermore for a second time. Why does he want this to keep going? Punk slides in the ring and stands up, looking at the World Title draped across Joe's shoulders before looking him in the eyes. Joe's look goes from anger to acceptance as he nods to say nice job. He holds his hand out as Punk seems dumbfounded by this gesture. It is how they started Spring Stampede, it is how they ended Spring Stampede, but it was not how they started tonight. Punk looks at it and just shakes his head. The fans boo as Punk goes to leave, but Joe turns him back with his right hand and reiterates the gesture. He wants that hand shake tonight. Punk looks to the crowd as the commentators feel how heart breaking this must be for a wrestler to put everything out there like he did tonight, only to come up short. Punk finally reciprocates and the 2 wrestlers shake hands. The fans cheer again as Joe nods before they release and Punk leaves to go to the back. The mutual respect between these 2 comes through in the end, and you have to think CM Punk will have his day again at some point. Just not tonight. Samoa Joe successfully turns back the challenge of CM Punk for a second time on PPV and the questions on most fans minds is likely to be who's next as Fall Brawl approaches in another 3 months. Who knows, Joe's next challenger may even be in the building right now coming off a victory earlier tonight, planning their next move in the game of human chess. For tonight though, so long from the mecca of professional wrestling, Madison Square Garden in New York city.

[Deleted]

Some good writing here all around. The after match of the main event was a little cheesy, but that's alright. lol I'm a little surprised by some of the outcomes here, but it's all good. I'm really happy about the Briscoes getting those World Tag Team titles back, thanks everyone.

[Kevin Elliott]

Am I glad I caught up on most of the results heading into this show, it made for an enjoyable read. The opening match was a lot of things for me. A good choice for an opener as Gibson and London could tear the house down any day they wanted to, but to add the backstory to the match made it that much better. The only thing I don’t like is Daniel Bryan coming out to watch this match ... he should be focusing on his match later on tonight.

The Windy City title match was placed perfectly as well. After two junior heavyweights light it up in the opener, we have a strong match between two underrated heavyweights. Glad to see Masters pick up the win as he is a favourite of mine in both Windy City and real life.

I am quite surprised and disappointed that The Rock beat Brodus Clay, although Clay looked strong after being hit with the chair a few times. Hopefully Clay will regain his momentum and beat both Rock and Elgin in singles matches down the road. I’ve said it a couple of days ago, but I think Clay can be a World Champion, North American for sure.

Prince Devitt and Daniel Bryan are able to pick up the pace of the show once again after two heavyweight matches. The pace of this show thus far is fantastic. Not much to say about this match other than it was a great bout and I look forward to seeing Bryan face Gibson. This is where I would have rather Gibson challenged Bryan, by the way.

I have never seen Lovelace wrestle in real life – in fact, aside from her time here in OVW, I have never even heard of her. Good match between her & Lee. Strong defence for Lee, but I think Lovelace isn’t too far behind. Maybe a rematch is in order?

Mark Jindrak and Harry Smith was the perfect rematch. Jindrak was able to retain the title and he is coming off more and more as a champion willing to do anything to retain his title.

Perhaps more than any one match on the card, I was most looking forward to the Briscoes and Rockstars of Wrestling. As a big fan of tag team wrestling, I feel the Rockstars reign as champions has been quite disappointing. After some shenanigans, the Bricoes are able to pick up the victory and hopefully the tag team division picks up from here on out.

Call me old school or call me silly, I love in ring introductions for championship matches, so you always win with that for me. Holy hell did the main event live up to its hype! I definitely bit on the false finish after the Go To Sleep and Muscle Busters. Absolutely fantastic. The writing for both men made me feel like I was watching the match, not reading it. Great ending with the two combatants shaking hands. I’m really interested in seeing where Punk goes from here. He must be out of World Heavyweight title matches until a new champion is crowned, yet he is one of the best in the world, no pun intended.

Great show all around. I’ve mentioned it a few times, but the pace of the show was excellent. Going from junior heavyweights to heavyweights, fast to slow, just good things all around. Can’t wait for the last man standing match to be edited in as well.

[Deleted]

Yeah, I really thought the match was over after the GTS, so you had me there. I have the same feeling, too, that match was just so well written that I was watching it in my head and loving it. My only qualm with the ending was the way Punk kind of played it, as I have no doubt he'd have some reservations about shaking the hand, but he seemed a little too pouty about it.

I will also comment and say I questioned at first the placement of some of the matches, but came to realize, as Kevin did, that the pacing aspect was really savvy and things flowed well.

My only surprises were that the Pistols went over and Devitt lost, I suppose, as I really thought we were going to see a title change on both of those, but that just keeps things unpredictable. I knew The Rock had to go over to keep him relevant, so that wasn't much of a shock to me and it really doesn't seem to hurt Brodus much in my eyes. He's still the baddest guy around.

[jp1985]

The handshake stuff in the main event was aimed as a continuation of their first match at Spring Stampede and the pre match here. They started the Spring Stampede match with a handshake, this was the second time at the second straight PPV, I thought that would be stupid if they shook hands before again. Punk should want the World Title, he should be pissed Joe beat him last time. Afterward, that was it. Punk lost a second time, I wanted to make sure it got buried for now. It started with a handshake before Spring Stampede, there was no handshake after that match, nothing before this one, but it all ended with a handshake, feud finished lol. I also thought it might be advantageous if building toward Joe vs Clay down the road, if Punk here gets put back on the same level and gets tied to Joe so that it gives Clay somebody he can beat that means something to Joe. Doesn't matter at all anyway because Clay was pinned here so I assume that's not in the cards for Fall Brawl anymore, but that was in the back of my mind as I figured he would have won. And having Punk lose a second time to the same move by passing out and not submitting was also done on purpose. Should the match be revisited at a future time, that gives a storyline to play off of and big dramatic spot in the match of can Punk avoid it, can Punk get out of it. That wasn't my planned finish but then I as I was writing it and had Joe lock it on, it just felt like screw it, they don't have to go forever, Punk should be losing to this move right now and it would be stupid for him not to in favor of Punk somehow getting out and just losing to a second Muscle Buster a couple paragraphs later anyway.

As for the show itself, I found this to be a much smoother read than the last PPV. Other than shifting The Rock match into the semi main spot second from last and maybe the junior stuff around, I think this was a good match order.

Daniel Bryan coming out to watch the opener aside as Kevin said, it was a great opener. Really the best choice of these matches. If Bryan was going to do this though, might have been better that his match go on first as it sort of felt like prediction for his match later as why would he come out to build that match, only to lose later on? I would have avoided that part and saved it for NY TV or reversed the order myself. Second match, Masters looks strong again, beating Puder at Spring Stampede, and now McIntyre here. I don't know that I would care much to see him on a league PPV challenge Samoa Joe (although I'm not sure I want to see anybody challenge Joe lol), but he has been built exceptionally well before the national audience and that should be acknowledged at Fall Brawl in some way beyond just defending the Windy City title again if he makes the card. If you do Joe vs Masters on a WC card, it should be huge now. I like that you left it open ended in the challenge.

Rock pinning Clay? I'm part with Kevin on that result. Would have much rather seen Rock pin Cena, leaves it open ended on Clay while still putting over Rock. Leaves him unbeaten, unstoppable, leaves him as the monster Brodus Clay. He's not dead in the water or anything like that, but as a fan watching a PPV from outside NY, all that a lot of fans might be seeing is this as their first exposure to him in this role and he loses. Most in theory won't see him beat The Rock in a singles match in 2 weeks, assuming that is where it goes. I don't think he's damaged in NY at all, but even if Clay doesn't lose a single match between now and Fall Brawl, he has went from a viable top contender for me to challenge Joe there because again, this is most fans only exposure to him. The Rock on the other hand just beat Clay. I don't know why everybody is still putting over Clay personally as a future champion or the baddest guy around lol. If Clay was this big bad ass, monster, etc., The Rock just beat him. Does that not put Rock into a great position? If I'm a genuine fan leaving this, I'm far more interested in Samoa Joe vs The Rock at this point, and there is a great story there with the obvious tie in of Rock's background. The reason I said I'm part with Kevin is because if this was the plan by Magnus all along, build Clay up to put over The Rock in order to put him over going forward, it worked out fantastically.

It's funny. The number of times I looked at the card, I never once saw that 1 of my talents had been put into a match here. I'll have to go back and read where that happened and how I never once noticed that lol. At least that gets that match out of the way so I don't feel as pressured to book it myself.

Jindrak is really starting to gel as the champ. While I do think as long as Smith vs Jindrak was going to be on the PPV, the title change should have been here before as many eyes as possible, putting a rematch to cement him as champion was a good choice after the fact. I originally wasn't sold on him but he has grown on me fast. Really looking forward to seeing what he does in the coming months. His size makes him a unique opponent, and while Masters challenged Joe, I think that would be a great match for the title myself. You have put in the work building it locally to mean something after that match where Jindrak beat Masters weeks ago and some ensuing stuff with them building to a rematch, and it seemed like an obvious choice to me from all that happened here and at Spring Stampede, except the promo earlier would indicate a different direction.

With the Tag Title matches, probably the right choice for now in the NA match. Since I arrived Bennett & Taven have not looked all that strong, but neither of these tag teams seemed like the answer. At least yet. I like Cage & Conley and hopefully they continue the pursuit since they were not the defeated team in the match. Good seeing The Briscoes take the belts home. Morrison & Rave had been suffering a bit in recent months and this change really puts the belts back on track. NY seems to have a great tag team division going with some possible contenders, and I really like the prospects going forward. Tag team stuff can be hard in this day and age to mean anything, but right now it means something here.

Again, have to say it, great work here! If this can be repeated with an elongated build in the top matches like we got with The Rock & Elgin vs Clay & Cena here, mostly whoever challenges Joe is by far the most important, Fall Brawl could be pretty damn good.

[Deleted]

Before I comment on what was an overall great show, I just wanted to give some explaination on my decision for The Rock to go over Brodus Clay in the tag team match. The way I viewed it was if I'd had Brodus go over Rock clean as a whistle (as has been the case with pretty much every opponent Brodus has faced in New York), what would be the incentive for brodus to face Rock in a singles match? All of The Rock's training in the weeks prior to the match would have been for nothing basically, and Brodus would have no reason to fight him again, and Rock could pretty much have called it quits on his comeback there and then. If I'd had Rock or Elgin go over Cena, that would mean Brodus would have had to beat him down post match as he said he would, leading to another feud for Brodus when he already has Rock, Elgin, Undertaker and (eventually) Samoa Joe to deal with. And I would have gotten a lot more complaints if Elgin had gone over Clay out of nowhere.
The way I did it basically saw Brodus make a mistake in bringing the chair in and trying to end The Rock's career as opposed to just pinning him after say another G-Grip or a regular Brodus Bomb, a mistake that only occured due to The Switchblade Conspiracy's interference distracting the ref anyway, and even then it took 2 blows from a chair, a Rock Bottom and a People's Elbow to keep him down. It builds to a singles match between the two which feels that much more important now that Rock has proven he has still got it and is on that same level as Brodus is, and there's no doubts then that whoever goes over in that match is worthy of a shot at Samoa Joe.

Onto the rest of the show now, and it was top notch all round. Masters/McIntyre was a solid inter-promotional match between two underrated guys, who I feel can go onto better things in the NWA in the future, the NA Title perhaps? Bryan/Devitt was great and Bryan going over only benefits the Bryan/Gibson rematch which I do plan on requesting a vote for when the time comes. I agree that The Pistols going over was the right call for now, though I do feel a change of champions should be forthcoming as imo the belts need a fresh face. Smith/Jindrak was solid and I think Jindrak will be a top notch champ. The Briscoes going over was totally the right call imo, they are a team that can really build the prestige of those belts, though I have been impressed with the run of The Rockstars overall. Joe/Punk was fantastic, great job on that match and Joe going over was what I expected, his reign is imo going brilliantly so far.

Again I can only say this was a great supershow overall, and everybody made a big effort that can be seen from the overall high quality of the match writeups throughout.

[jp1985]

I'll agree to some of that. Clay beats Rock, who cares for a singles match between them? Rock should have won the match based on the build and that was the right call I think. The result does minimal damage to Clay in NWA New York storylines. Is it better he still be undefeated? Sure. At the same time though, if he beats Rock and challenges Samoa Joe at an NWA New York show, I see no reason it would not still be big there. Putting myself as just an NWA New York fan, I know I'm still looking forward to Rock vs Clay, and whoever wins vs Samoa Joe. In the NWA New York arc, it's not perfect but rarely is anything ever anywhere when looking at it over a several month span, and in the big picture of week to week, it's pretty damn close I'd say.

My comments are more from a league PPV perspective for Fall Brawl, looking at it PPV to PPV. I just think he would be a bad choice now for a challenger there specifically regardless of what happens, but admittedly I have no clue what the World Title match is scheduled to be and it could be completely irrelevant discussion.

[Sean]

I hope to see London and Gibson in a cage to see if Gibson can get the win without interference!

[Deleted]

Damn good show, guys! Top notch!

[sam]

Just saw this.. freaking awesome matches guys great job! Kudos to all the hard work put into this show. I am honestly surprised on some of the outcomes, but all were right outcomes.

Again, great job.