Our final match of the week is a match with big implications for block B, as Senza Volto looks to reclaim pole position against Tristan Archer.
For the final time this week, Nico Schmidt and Dään Jokisch are joined in Oberhausen’s Steffy by Norman Harras. It’s his birthday today. He’s a good boy really. They talk about how Senza’s undefeated so far in the Catch Grand Prix – with Norman trying to claim he never lost to him (I mean, it was a DQ so… yeah). They bring up the all-French match today, as Norman is the latest to mock Archer for that loss at the start of the tournament.
Of course, during Shotgun earlier this year, Volto beat Archer… and Norman reckons that Tristan will want to claim some revenge for that.
As for the pre-match interviews, they of course bring that up as Archer dismissed his loss to Senza previously as him not taking the situation seriously. Archer needs the win to stay in the tournament – otherwise he’s all but out. Senza Volto’s still got that boundless energy that we’ve associated with him throughout his time in wXw. He acknowledges his past with Archer, but won’t let his friendship with Tristan stop him from winning… and dares Archer to “step up”.
Catch Grand Prix 2020 – Block B: Tristan Archer vs. Senza Volto
Round 1: At the start, Senza tells the fans he considered Archer his “big brother,” and offers a handshake. Nice and clean here folks! They switch waistlocks as Archer takes down Volto, following that up with a bow-and-arrow hold that’s flipped out of for a one-count… but Archer stays in Volto with a wristlock, before some see-saw kip ups and an armdrag got Senza free. Senza returns the favour, working the arm as Archer tried to do the see-saw kip ups, but can’t get the rhythm going so he just kicks him instead. A low bridge takes Archer outside as Senza faked out a dive… but Tristan nips in to throw him outside as he… did the same. Mind games… and by the time Senza makes it back inside, the first round comes to a close.
Round 2: Senza wants a handshake again, but Archer pulls him in and offered some German: auf die Fresse! So they start laying into each other with right hands, then chops, before Senza caught a right hand… and ended up getting kneed in the gut. He’s back with an attempted satellite DDT, but Archer counters into a Northern Lights, only for Senza to hit an Eiffel Tower… with Archer spinning in with a lariat instead to prevent the pin. They go back to the elbows, with Senza taking off his sleeves for extra effect, but it’s Archer who gets the knock down first, following up with a right hand as time ran out.
Round 3: Archer had pled for a drink before the start of the round, but runs into a one-man Spanish Fly for a two-count, before a springboard moonsault was caught by Archer’s knees. The resulting inside cradle gets a two-count, but Archer stays on Senza with a Falcon arrow for another two-count, with Senza then being dead weight as he seemingly wanted mercy. Archer pulls him up and demands Senza fight, but his elbows had little to them at first, as Archer finally hit back… but his overhead kick was rolled into a superkick, before a handspring cutter was caught by Archer. Archer pulls him up for the tombstone gutbuster, and that’s enough for the win. This was a weird one stylistically, with the “good guys” dynamic leading to neither man seemingly wanting to go all out, but you also have to remember the last few post-match promos from an exhausted Volto which led to this.
Result: Tristan Archer pinned Senza Volto at 2:43 of Round 3 (***¼)
That’s Senza Volto’s 100% run over – and he’s lost his top spot… and also opened the door for Tristan Archer to offer a late challenge as well.
Post-match, Senza seemingly expected to be interviewed as he went over for one… but of course, it’s Tristan’s turn. Nico mentions Tristan has a shot of winning the block, and Archer wants to go back to France with that shiny trophy. As for Senza, he’s licking his proverbial wounds, but he refuses to let himself be beaten by an off-day.
We’re not done yet though, as we go backstage to Bobby Gunns, who was unhappy with the draw with Cara Noir – on top of all of the “business” stuff with Metehan. Norman Harras tries to be the voice of reason here, and a motivational guru all rolled into one. Gunns wants to win the block – which brings us back to Metehan wanting the same thing. Norman suggests they go to a draw, which would mean that both men go to the finals, as a “tactical move.” HOLD THE PHONE. Norman Harras straight up suggests “staging” the match. It’s still real to me, damnit. That plan is going to need some wacky maths to come through. I run through the permutations in my mind like you do in tournament seasons: and since Bobby’s already drawn, he’d need Metehan to draw next week *and* Bobby to lose before doing the draw in the final week. Oh, and hope other results go to plan. It’s a wacky idea, but it might just work… and we fade to black.
Standings, with eliminations (including those who’d be eliminated on tie-breakers)…
Block A
Bobby Gunns (3-0-1; 7pts)
Metehan (3-1; 6pts)
Avalanche, Cara Noir (2-1-1; 5pts)
Fast Time Moodo (2-3; 4pts) * eliminated
Hektor Invictus (1-2-1; 3pts)
Anil Marik (0-5; 0pts) * eliminated
Block B
Marius al-Ani (4-0; 8pts)
Senza Volto (4-1; 8pts)
Tristan Archer (3-1; 6pts)
Prince Ahura, Norman Harras, Emil Sitoci (1-3; 2pts) * eliminated
Vincent Heisenberg (1-4; 2pts) * eliminated
Disciplinary: €3305 of fines; twenty-three yellow cards and one red card.
We’re back on Monday with Cara Noir looking to take top spot against the eliminated Fast Time Moodo…