Mathayus Wins Tourney, Next Faces Houston Carson
BRYAN, TX - A chaotic finish at the Sacrifice event saw the end of a dominant faction and the conclusion of a 12-wrestler tournament featuring a dramatic twist.
While MATHAYUS was able to finish his run through The Lions Den Championship Invitational Tournament with a victory over a more-than-game CHAVY CHULO, he was not crowned the first Lions Den Champion as expected. Instead, Lions Pride Sports Owner, Lions Den Trainer and multi-time former champion HOUSTON CARSON announced had been one last match on the road to the title all along. Houston himself will return to the ring on November 13 for the first time in two years to face the tournament winner. If Mathayus loses to “The Texas Lion,” a new tournament will be started to crown the first champ and “The Headline” won’t be included.
Chulo’s loss in the final had major ramifications. After he came up just short in his pursuit of the belt, Chavy’s cohorts in The Trifecta emerged, having been banned from ringside for the match. Capping off weeks of miscommunication and infighting, MIKE DELL and CADE CARSON proceeded to beat down Chulo.
ZANE VALERO would be the one to come to Chulo’s rescue. “Gen-Z” had already made his presence well known at Sacrifice. In Mike and Cade’s tag match, Zane ran down to distract Carson, leading to a massive victory for the young upstart team of HOSTAGE HIRSCH and TRENT MERCER. Later, Valero would challenge JAY ALEXANDER to a fight, only for Carson to return the distraction favor and help Alexander pick up a win.
Valero remains winless in his career in The Pride, but when he hit the ring to interrupt the Chavy Chulo beat down, Dell made Valero an offer. With Chulo kicked out of the group, Mike offered Zane the open spot, saying he could help elevate the potential-filled “Gen-Z” and continue their domination. Valero chose violence against the remaining duo of The Trifecta, hitting both with a chair and exponentially increasing the fan support both he and Chulo have been receiving as of late.
Houston Carson announced that at the Here to Stay fourth anniversary event November 13, Dell will fight Chulo, while Cade Carson and Valero will battle.
Also at Sacrifice:
DRAKE DURDEN and “OUTLAW” J. AUSTIN signed a contract to face off again for Durden’s Lions Pride Sports Championship at Here to Stay. Austin had cracked the champ open after his successful title defense at Sacrifice, and vowed to end Durden’s reign. Drake’s defiance was not only verbal, as he chokeslammed “Outlaw” through a table and stood tall.
MIA FRIDAY once again defeated CACHORRO DE LEON, but this time by disqualification when ringside a camera operator, MJ SANTANA, entered the ring, struck Friday with her camera and threw a flurry of strikes. De Leon appeared to save Friday from more violence, only to super kick her and reveal himself to be SHIMBASHI. “The Canadian Dragon,” whose growing frustrations had continued earlier in the night with a loss to KEMONTE ROSS, then kissed Santana. MJ would explain to the crowd that she was a Lions Den trainee, working alongside Friday. Santana declared she was better than Mia in every way, and said at Here to Stay, she will prove it in her debut match with her boyfriend at her side.
In a Trick or Treat Street Fight, THE MOUNTAIN and KOOL DADDI DENZELL (accompanied by a new associate, RODZILLA) would use all sorts of Halloween-themed elements around the ring. The Mountain would overcome double teams and interference, slamming Denzell into a pile of candy in the ring and winning the match.
After assaulting Lions Pride Sports play-by-play announcer STEVE FULLHART four weeks earlier, Alexander was served with a restraining order by an attorney with West, Webb, Allbritton & Gentry. “The Purveyor of Punishment” reluctantly accepted the order, only to attempt to rough up the attorney. Valero would make the save, leading to the aforementioned match.
Abe, Lions Pride Sports’ senior official went on a bizarre rant following a match officiated by another Lions Den-trained ref, Brian. Abe criticized Brian’s work, bemoaned Brian accidentally being announced as the senior official at a previous event, and took credit for Brian even being an official because of Abe’s help and mentorship. An altercation took place between the two.