The third week of the Catch Grand Prix kicks off as Bobby Gunns clashes with one of block A’s early leaders.
It’s back inside the Steffy in Oberhausen, and for the first half of the week at least, Dään Jokisch and Nico Schmidt are joined by Metehan on the panel. He looks very distracted at having to be here, and demands to be introduced as “the Babo, Metehan.” They preview today’s match, noting both men have beaten Anil Marik so far, but Hektor went to a time limit draw last time out.
They ask about Metehan’s plans for the Bobby Gunns match, which gets massive offence, before Metehan picked Gunns to win today.
Backstage, Andy Jackson asks Hektor for his game plan – he vows to go one better than he did against Avalanche last week… as for Gunns, Dään Jokisch gets the interview duties, as Bobby marvels over Hektor’s agility, but of course the champion was confident.
Catch Grand Prix 2020 – Block A: Hektor Invictus vs. Bobby Gunns
Hektor’s starting today as one of the early leaders in block A – he’ll obviously be looking to keep that place with a win.
Round 1: We start with a lock-up before the pair head to the mat, with Gunns tying up Hektor’s legs… but it ends with a rope break. Hektor comes back with a waistlock takedown, then tried to roll Bobby for a pinning attempt, before a wristlock from Gunns… couldn’t be broken with a monkey flip. Hektor manages to trip the champion and work a toe hold, which is escaped before Gunns came out of the corner, World of Sport-style, before a cross armbar was broken up with a roll-up. Hektor pushes on with more pinning attempts for a near-fall. A submission from Hektor’s broken as Gunns rolls Hektor into a Swish armbar, which is blocked for long enough as time ran out.
Round 2: The second round starts with Hektor still smarting, but he’s caught with a splash into the corner and a Saito suplex out of it, as Gunns went back for a Swish armbar… but Hektor rolls free and wheelbarrows Gunns to the mat. Bobby’s back up first though, sparking an exchange of uppercuts before a baseball slide was rolled through by Hektor… who just runs into a clothesline. That seemed to aggravate Gunns’ taped-up arm, but he winds up for a second lariat, but Hektor floats over and goes for a powerbomb… only for Gunns to counter into a guillotine. That’s switched into a butterfly’d key lock as time continued to tick, but Hektor clung on as he rode out a second round.
After the bell, Gunns wouldn’t let go of the hold, and ends up getting suplexed by Hektor… which led to both men getting a yellow card.
Round 3: Hektor comes out swinging, but Gunns is more than happy to return the shots as he threw in some kicks too, before a big boot was countered with a Pele kick. From there, Hektor rolls Gunns into a knee strike, before a gourdbuster and a German suplex led to a near-fall. Hektor does the Batista thumbs down, but Gunns catches him unawares with an Octopus stretch… which is quickly thrown off, as Hektor pushes Gunns for a powerbomb, only for Gunns to reapply the Swish armbar for the quick submission. The constant targeting of the arm paid off – and while Hektor was able to give the champion a scare, it wasn’t enough. I guess the big question coming out of this for Gunns though – is how long will that arm hold up?
Result: Bobby Gunns submitted Hektor Invictus at 1:23 of Round 3 (***¼)
At ringside, it’s Nico Schmidt doing the interviews… he tells Bobby he’s got Fast Time Moodo next week. Gunns notes that “these karate kids have no chance”… and then we go backstage as Hektor’s with Andy. Hektor’s placated by being told of his good performances, as Hektor then vows to get the top spot.
Your standings…
Block A
Bobby Gunns (2-0; 4pts)
Avalanche (1-0-1; 3pts)
Hektor Invictus (1-1-1; 3pts)
Cara Noir (1-0; 2pts)
Metehan (1-1; 2pts)
Anil Marik, Fast Time Moodo (0-2; 0pts)
Block B
Senza Volto (2-0; 4pts)
Prince Ahura, Marius al-Ani (1-0; 2pts)
Tristan Archer, Vincent Heisenberg (1-1; 2pts)
Norman Harras, Emil Sitoci (0-2; 0pts)
Disciplinary: €1485 of fines; ten yellow cards and one red card.
Tomorrow, it’s Anil Marik vs. Fast Time Moodo as two newcomers to wXw lock horns.