Brad
West had one piece of gold left to claim after stripping FN Carnage of the tag team titles
and the EPW Invitational Tournament trophy. But Carnage was always going to be much more
desperate in this match as it was for the EPW Title. Carnage controlled the early going of
the match by slowing it down and returning to the mat wrestling that saw him become
champion in the first place. When that could not get the job done, he began to resort to
chokes, clotheslines and chops. West managed the occasional offensive flurry but could not
put Carnage down long enough to climb the buckles and grab the title.
A
surprise single leg crab from Brad had FN tapping out and provided West with the chance he
needed. But as he scaled the turnbuckles, Slick Rick threw powder in his eyes. But before
he could interfere any further, Justin Sane took out Sanders with the Ryhypnol Spike.
Carnage locked on an STF that made Brad submit but Brad recovered before Carnage could get
the belt and hit the Rad Driver. He then secured the belt, but Jamie Jurah took the
referee out before the ref could end the bout. Jurah returned the belt to the top of the
post. He tried to help Carnage to his feet but was stopped by Psychofett, who brawled with
him to the backstage area.
As
Carnage climbed the ropes, referee Brett Corvus made his way to ringside preparing to call
for the bell. As Carnage removed the belt, Davis Storm made his way out and DDT’d
Corvus before he could tell Lukey to ring the bell. Storm then Yakuza kicked Carnage and
returned the belt to the top of the pole.
The
match then stepped up a gear as both men started to throw big moves at each other in an
attempt to get the win. Carnage hit the F-68 but even that could not keep Brad down long
enough for him to get the belt. Both men took turns using each other’s signature
moves as West hit a spinebuster and Carnage returned fire with a sitout rock bottom. Brad
seemed to have the belt won after nailing Carnage with the Michinoku Driver. But as he
reached up for the belt he slipped and fell off the top rope. His foot became caught in
the turnbuckle as FN Carnage began to stir. Unfortunately for West he could not get free
as Carnage walked over the top of him and grab the title belt.
It
was a hard fought win for Carnage but he may just consider himself a little lucky to be
walking out with the belt. As he celebrated his win, Davis Storm returned to the ring to
confront the champion. But Storm was low blowed by the returning Slick Rick before a punch
could be thrown. Brad then chased Rick and Carnage from the ring. Storm then grabbed a
microphone and told Carnage that he was a careless champion. Davis told Carnage that he
was careless because he knew he could rely on Slick Rick and Jamie Jurah to interfere in
all of his matches. He then asked Carnage to prove he was a fighting champion by accepting
the challenge of an interstate wrestler. Carnage replied that he would fight anyone. Storm
then announced that the most hardcore wrestler in Australian wrestling history was on his
way to Perth. The crowd exploded as Storm announced that Lobo was heading to EPW to
challenge FN Carnage for the EPW title at Evolution. Carnage looked stunned as Slick Rick
flew into a rage. The crowd chanted Lobo’s name as Storm proclaimed him as the very
next EPW heavyweight champion. Can FN Carnage turn back the challenge of this Australian
wrestling icon? Or will EPW have its very first interstate champion? Make sure you’re
at Evolution 2004 to find out.
