Marius al-Ani looks to extend his winning streak to ten singles matches, as he takes on Norman Harras in the latest Catch Grand Prix outing.
Once more it’s back to the Steffy in Oberhausen, with Nico Schmidt and Dään Jokisch being joined on the panel today by Emil Sitoci. They’re speaking in English, which means no subtitles at least for this part…
They recap some recent action, before Emil’s asked for his prediction. Sitoci credits al-Ani for being on a roll, while Norman Harras’ losing run perhaps will be too much for him to overcome. Then it’s the interviews, but Norman Harass is interviewed by Metehan, who demands the cameras be turned off… they keep rolling as we overhear Metehan demanding “something in return” after his lads had done a tonne of favours for Bobby Gunns. Metehan tells Norman that Bobby can’t have the title *and* the prize money, as they then walk off…
Marius al-Ani doesn’t get any interruptions as Dään does the interview, noting that Marius is coming off of a week off. al-Ani wants to see what kind of “international experience” Harras can bring to the table, as I sense he’s perhaps underestimating the poor lad…
Catch Grand Prix 2020 – Block B: Norman Harras vs. Marius al-Ani
Yeah, the Oberhausen crowd continue to hound Norman with woofing, and once more, Norman doesn’t want his introduction.
Round 1: From the opening lock-up, Harras takes Marius into the ropes, but they switch the lock-up and head into the corner, where Marius poked fun at Harras. A trip takes Norman down, with Marius following with almost a guillotine as the pair rolled into the ropes for a break. Harras rolls outside for a breather. He’s back in to throw a knee and some elbows at Marius, but a suplex is countered as al-Ani scampers into a rear naked choke, which ends in the corner with Harras elbowing his way free. Marius rolls Harras up for a nip-up up-kick, but Harras pulls the referee in front of him as a human shield to block a Superman punch… following that up with a cross-chop to the throat, but it’s the human shield bit that earns a €50 fine. Knees to the ribs from Harras knock Marius down for a near-fall, before a toe hold was pushed away. Marius tries to come back in with a knee, but Norman rolls outside, then hung up al-Ani in the ropes, then landed a slam as time ran out.
Round 2: Harras went for a big boot at the bell, but Marius slides under and went for a waistlock. It’s elbowed away, with Harras booting al-Ani into the corner, before a switcharound led to some rapid-fire body blows as they scrapped away. A dropkick from Harras knocks Marius down… but Norman gets carried away, and ends up getting caught with a dropkick as Marius fought back with more kicks and punches. A superkick to the knee knocks Harras down ahead of a knee strike, before Marius’ attempt to roll Harras for a pin ended in a grounded Octopus of sorts, forcing an instant submission. Ah man, Norman was doing so well, but he couldn’t hold onto the lad. Bad walkies.
Result: Marius al-Ani submitted Norman Harras at 1:13 of Round 2 (**¾)
At ringside, Marius al-Ani’s interviewed by Andy Jackson, who notes he shares the top spot in block B. It turns into a forced hype pitch as Andy puts over Marius… then we go backstage to a bloodied Harras, who’s asked if he’s really as controlled as he’s trying to make out. He complains that the rules aren’t fair, and that the goal seems to be to “injure your top stars.” I still have no clue how he got bloodied in that match…
Your standings…
Block A
Avalanche (2-0-1; 5pts)
Bobby Gunns (2-0; 4pts)
Hektor Invictus (1-1-1; 3pts)
Cara Noir, Metehan (1-1; 2pts)
Fast Time Moodo (1-2; 2pts)
Anil Marik (0-3; 0pts)
Block B
Marius al-Ani, Senza Volto (2-0; 4pts)
Prince Ahura (1-0; 2pts)
Tristan Archer, Vincent Heisenberg (1-1; 2pts)
Emil Sitoci (0-2; 0pts)
Norman Harras (0-3; 0pts)
Disciplinary: €1535 of fines; ten yellow cards and one red card.
We’re back tomorrow with Senza Volto looks to regain the sole ownership of the top spot, as he takes on Vincent Heisenberg.