Post by Chris on Sept 16, 2024 3:07:46 GMT
Tango In Tonga - Birthday of Crown Prince Tupouto'a-'Ulukala - Night 1
16 September 2024
Teufaiva Sport Stadium, Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Attendance: 6,127
Feleti Polata is our commentator for the evening.
[1] Bert Eagle (169, Bolton, England) defeated Geo "Gun Slinger" Irslinger (209 Auckland, New Zealand) in an International Catchweight Contest (Eagles Flight, 7:38, full match shown).
Eagle started strong, showcasing his high-flying skills with a dropkick and enzuigiri, keeping Irslinger on the defensive. Geo fought back with heavy strikes and a spinebuster, slowing Eagle’s momentum. In the closing moments, Bert reversed a suplex and hit a stunning top-rope elbow drop, setting up the crowd-pleasing "Eagle’s Flight" (450° Splash) to secure the win.
[2] "The Journeyman" Jack O’Grady (210, Walnut, USA) beat William 'The Taxman' Payable (248 lbs, Los Angeles,USA) in an American Rules Match (O’Grady Toe Hold, 15:13, full match shown)
The match quickly turned into a wild brawl as O’Grady and Payable exchanged heavy punches right from the start, with the referee allowing closed fists. The crowd was electric as the two battled fiercely inside and outside the ring.
O’Grady took control with a series of quick grappling moves, including a Drop Toe Hold and Arm Drag, before Payable responded with a Spinebuster, nearly pinning O’Grady. The action spilled outside, with Payable slamming O’Grady into the barricade and delivering several brutal punches, but O’Grady fought back, driving Payable into the ring steps.
Back in the ring, O’Grady countered Payable’s flashy offense with his catch wrestling skills, applying a series of holds that wore down "The Taxman." After a failed attempt by Payable to land the Taxman Driver, O’Grady caught him in the O’Grady Toe Hold, forcing a tap-out and securing the hard-fought victory
[3] Manu & Tevita Maʻafu (The Tongan Warriors, Tonga) beat Akira "Dark Wolf" Tanaka & Hiroshi "The Titan" Suzuki (Kashiwazaki BLOOD, Japan) in an International Tag Team Match (Tongan Splash in 11:43, full match shown)
Akira Tanaka wasted no time, immediately using his speed and hard-hitting strikes to take control, landing a Running Knee Strike on Tevita Maʻafu. However, Tevita quickly turned the tide with a brutal Headbutt and a Samoan Drop, which got the local crowd behind the Tongan Warriors.
Suzuki entered the contest, overpowering Manu Maʻafu with a Belly-to-Belly Suplex, followed by a Big Boot that nearly won the match. But Manu's resilience shone through, and he fought back with a devastating Superkick, tagging in his younger brother, Tevita.
Chaos broke out as all four men brawled, with Tanaka trying to deliver a Jumping DDT, only to be countered by Tevita's Running Hip Attack. With the crowd roaring, Manu climbed to the top rope and delivered the Tongan Splash on Suzuki for the win, securing a hard-fought victory for the hometown favorites.
[4] Half-Nelson McGrath (260, Wonglepong Australia) defeated Barry Bridges (251, Kent, England) to win the Commonwealth Heavyweight Championship & Belt (Half-Nelson Suplex, 32:10, full match shown)
The long-awaited Commonwealth Heavyweight Title match between 'Battling' Barry Bridges and Half-Nelson McGrath delivered a thrilling display of technical prowess and gritty determination.
These two started with a fast-paced exchange, as McGrath surprised the veteran Bridges with a hip toss and quick body slam, forcing the titleholder to retreat to the outside to regroup. Bridges, known for his hard-hitting technical style, struggled to gain control early on as McGrath applied relentless wrist locks, showcasing the training from his time in the Bert Oakley gym.
Bridges fought back with a stiff European Uppercut, followed by his signature Butterfly Suplex, momentarily shifting the momentum in his favor. However, McGrath countered a Bridge Drop attempt with a quick roll-up, barely missing the three count. The action spilled to the outside, where Bridges smashed McGrath’s head into the steel barricade, drawing gasps from the crowd.
Back in the ring, McGrath targeted Bridges' right leg with a series of holds, softening him up for his devastating Half-Nelson Suplex. As Bridges missed a high-impact Flying Knee Drop, McGrath capitalized, locking in a Figure Four Leglock, but the wily veteran reached the ropes to break the hold. Despite the toll the match was taking on both men, they continued to trade strikes and counters.
Bridges, in a last-ditch effort, attempted a piledriver, but McGrath powered out with a back body drop. The Australian star followed up his sit out Powerbomb the McGrath Bomb but only for a two count. He wasted no time in hooking his opponent in up and hitting a stunning Half-Nelson Suplex, driving Bridges into the mat for the pinfall victory.