All-Star Championship Wrestling

Introduction
3,887 fans were packed into the Joe Louis Arena for the fifth episode of SHOWCASE in this second season, with the Chief of the Academy already in the ring promising to kick things off. The once overwhelmingly-positive response he garnered at the beginning of the season was now but a memory, as a large chorus of jeers rang out for the former ACW World Champion before he could even speak. ICU acknowledged that he was not the most popular man around in light of his decision two weeks ago that resulted in Jack Harris being crowned the new United States Champion. ICU attempted to explain that he saw the logic in Jack's explanation, and that the Pikey Madman did deserve some sort of incentive for faring admirably in the first season. The fans continued to give him static about the whole issue, however.
Knowing that he was fighting a losing battle, ICU progressed to other business. He revealed that he'd chosen two long-time sparring partners to compete in a Best Of Five Series kicking off later in the episode; Malk Al-Haq and JP Boudreau were the two combatants. ICU also announced due to back-to-back victories, Josh Marshall earned himself a show at the United States Title. Finally, the Chief stated that another tag team would have an opportunity at the ACW Tag Team Titles once the night was over, while reminding everyone that the tandem of Abilities would be featured on ACW's upcoming COURAGE 107 broadcast where they would cash in their shot at the Tag Team Titles against a team that did spend some time in the Academy; the Pop Culture Phenoms. With that, ICU bade everyone a good evening, but the fans had already decided to jeer him incessantly no matter what he had to say.

Zyma Toshiro vs. April Monday (Referee: Belinda Decroix)
Having popped up over the last two episodes and making a lot of waves while doing so, April Monday stepped into the ring disgusted that her opponent was a young Japanese girl who seemed to be communicating deeply with her teddy bear. It was no surprise that when the bell rang, April Monday turned Zyma Toshiro inside out with a couple of overly-stiff lariats prior to heading to the timekeeper's table and tossing Zyma's stuffed bear into the crowd. Toshiro's eyes went red with rage, and she promptly kicked it up a notch, catapaulting over the ropes in a somersault and bringing her body down onto April Monday.
April, however, survived Zyma's berserker barrage on the outside long enough to reverse a suplex attempt. From there, it was one-way traffic the moment April brought her adversary back into the ring. Monday had no compassion whatsoever for Zyma, documented by the execution of five spinebusters in a row that saw the Japanese girl's head bounce off the canvas sickeningly. Somehow, Zyma managed to roll out of the way of a standing moonsault and followed up with a cross-face chicken wing submission.
It would not yield a sudden change in fortunes, for April Monday easily powered out of Zyma's clutches and seconds later connected with a full-nelson bulldog that knocked Zyma Toshiro out for good. Two episodes, two impressive victories for the Chip Off the Ol' Block who continues to want to prove herself as the most dominant female performer in the business.
Winner: April Monday

Backstage: Nathan Adams & Rory Hayes
Nathan Adams was shown watching highlights of April Monday's emphatic victory and looked as if he was in absolute awe. Business picked up big-time when Rory Hayes, one of the Academy's biggest bullies, walked past and snorted at Nathan taking down notes. Adams enquired as to whether there was a problem, which gave The Boston Mangler the opening he needed to verbally lambast Nathan. Rory informed the newcomer that he was devoid of any talent, and that it would be better if he just went ahead and quit the business. 'The Natural' Nathan Adams was indignant and promised to prove Hayes wrong; Hayes in response told Adams not to bother as there was bigger fish to fry. With a chuckle, Rory Hayes stormed off leaving Nathan Adams more than upset at what had just happened.

Malk Al-Haq vs. JP Boudreau - Best Of Five Series, Match #1 (Referee: Kevin Chang)
Having duelled against each other a number of times in the last few months (with the last encounter taking place on the first episode of the second season several weeks ago), both Malk and JP were intent on locking horns in this unique Best Of Five Series. Before the bell even rang, both Malk and JP pressed their foreheads against each other in the middle of the ring, giving some indication to the fierce nature of their rivalry.
Boudreau took contol in the early stages of the match, weakning Malk's legs up no doubt for a submission. Al-Haq's power-based technique didn't seem to be doing the trick against JP this time around, suggesting perhaps his opponent had the Babylonian well-scouted based on their previous encounters. Still, Malk had new tricks up his sleeves, catching JP in mid-air after an attempted cross-body block attempt and drilling him to the canvas in a fallaway slam. The ropes saved JP when Malk went for the pin, but that barely stopped the Babylonian; 20 seconds and one Babylonian Drop later, Malk secured the 1-2-3. First blood goes to Malk Al-Haq, and now JP has to play catch-up.
Winners: Malk Al-Haq (leads Best Of Five Series 1-0)

Backstage: Mary-Lynn Mayweather
It was the extreme pleasure of Backstage Inteviewer Amanda Dixon to conduct an impromptu interview with Mary-Lynn Mayweather, who was serving in a managerial capacity to Jack Harris. Mary-Lynn quickly dispelled rumours that there was a personal relationship going on with Harris, stating that it was purely business. Mayweather went on to express that the Academy had a fair bit of talented superstars that would benefit from her expertise, but nobody had approached her yet which made her sad. To that effect, she would be embarking on a series of matches to highlight her own burgeoning talents. Thereafter, if she remained undefeated by the time the final episode of the season rolled around, she and Jack Harris would have a showdown for the United States Title as agreed by the Pikey Madman himself. Amanda Dixon attempted to enquire regarding Mayweather's exact intentions for being in the Academy, but Junebug merely responded cryptically, saying that the available answers were't going to be to anybody's likings. That brought a confusing conclusion to the impromptu inteview, for Mary-Lynn had to go and prepare for her upcoming match.

RESPECT vs. The Kole Brothers (Referee: Hammond Jones)
Rory Hayes talking about having bigger fish to fry was finally made clear; he and long-time partner Johnny Long would square off against The Kole Brothers, with the winners receiving a shot at the Tag Team Titles as mandated by ICU at the beginning of the episode. Hayes and Long couldn't stop bickering as they waited for the match to begin, however. This gave Joseph and Andrew Kole a chance to get the jump on their opponents, kick-starting the match in a chaotic fashion!
Once everything settled down (which took about a minute and a half), it was Andrew Kole and Johnny Long trading blows in the middle of the ring. Long's size advantage over Andrew saw him dominate Andrew, and after a powerbomb onto his knee, Long clearly had the chance to go for the cover. Instead, he jumped to his feet and demanded the crowd give him props for his excellency. Hayes was of course furious, and Andrew Kole took advantage by crawling over to his corner for a tag. Long's over-elaborate showboating almost cost him, for Joseph Kole quickly sneaked up behind Johnny and connected with a jumping reverse DDT. Rory Hayes looked as if he was going to have a heart-attack, but luckily for him, Johnny Long managed to kick out.
The Kole Brothers thereby decided to pound on Johnny Long, keeping him isolated from Rory Hayes; it was a tactic which the fans loved. Andrew and Joseph didn't have it all their way, as Long's talent and experience kept him from getting absolutely mauled, but it was in essence turning out to be a handicapped match. Rory Hayes seethed on the outside, almost to the stage of pulling his own hair out. Finally, he decided to take matters into his own hands, distracting referee Hammond Jones long enough to give his partner the opportunity to gouge the eyes of Joseph Kole. This gave Long enough time to make the tag to Hayes, who stomped into the ring with only one thing in mind. Two minutes later, both Andrew and Joseph found themselves destroyed by Rory, who went on to pin Andrew after two consecutive Boston Massacres. RESPECT had triumphed, and now had a shot at the Tag Team Titles. After the match, Rory and Johnny continued to argue incessantly, while The Kole Brothers had to wonder just how they'd ended up on the losing end.
Winners: RESPECT

Mary-Lynn Mayweather vs. Selby O'Brien (Referee: Dick Zhirkov)
After thoroughly perplexing everybody with her final words in an interview earlier on, Mary-Lynn Mayweather came out for her match absolutely devoid of emotion. In contrast, her opponent was one-half of the always-popular SOBs; Selby O'Brien. Selby didn't look at all overwhelmed that his opponent was something of a renowned figure, and the two in fact shook heads prior to retreating to their own corners and raising their dukes.
Unfortunately for Selby, the handshake was the only bit of civility offered to him, for Mary-Lynn was out for victory and was doing anything possible to do so. Perhaps she'd come to understand from her adventures in fWo that playing nice doesn't always get you what you deserve. Several roll-up pins with the legs on the ropes came out of her playbook, but Selby -- despite the obvious absence of his brother at ringside cheering him on -- stayed strong and even managed to connect with a springbroad cockscrew missile dropkick that had the fans clicking away with ther cameras. Alas, it only earned a near-fall.
That seemed to spark something within Mary-Lynn Mayweather, but she had to endure a bit more of Selby's smashing offense before taking advantage of a lapse in concentration. Coming off the top of the turnbuckle was a risky gamble on Selby's part, which he immediately regretted as Mary-Lynn connected with her signature Yakuza Kick. A short while later, Mayweather managed to lay Selby out with her double-underhook brainbuster known as Hypothermia; 1-2-3, and Mary-Lynn picked up the victory after a hard-fought battle.
Winner: Mary-Lynn Mayweather

Kristinia Kage vs. Masato Hayajinx (Referee: Belinda Decroix)
It was time for another female warrior to be involved in a match; Kristinia Kage, still taking time off from appearing on ACW broadcasts, found herself going up against Masato Hayajinx. The two shook hands before the bell rang, but unlike the previous match, there was no rushing into combat. In fact, Kristinia and Masato took things slow in the opening moments by trading holds and locks. At one point, Kristinia Kage slapped on a hammerlock on Masato, only for the latter to springboard off the corner turnbuckle and counter into a tornado reverse DDT!
That kicked the match into the next gear, with Kristinia and Masato throwing everything they had in their arsenals at each other. At one point, Masato connected with a flying forearm smash off the ropes and earned a near-fall. Kristinia followed up with a gut-wrench suplex that led her to the top of the turnbuckle. Unfortunately, the moonsault she had in mind never materialised for Masato recovered and springboard off the ropes to execute a stunning jumping roundhouse kick! A round of 'holy shit' chants reveberated throughout the arena, but Masato again was unlucky to only attain a near-fall.
That would be the last opportunity Hayajinx would have to go for victory. Kristinia Kage regained her marbles and after a series of counters and reversals, managed to get her opponent in position for his Kaged Out finisher. 1-2-3, and Kristinia triumphed after 12 minutes! After the match, Kristinia took hold of a microphone and spoke about April Monday, insisting that she was not pleased with April's running down of all the other female competitors in ACW. To that effect, Kristinia laid down a challenge to April for the next episode, which had the fans all excited.
Winner: Kristinia Kage

Shane Robertson vs. Orlando Grant (Referee: Kevin Chang)
The penultimate match of the episode saw Shane Robertson take on the returning Orlando Grant, whose mere appearance had the fans in attendance up on their feet and going absolutely crazy. It was extremely evident that The OG of ACW was relishing the reception of the crowd, but he did not let it get to his head as the match with Robertson commenced. On the other side of the coin, Robertson was not about to be overawed by the situation, and underlined his intention to win with a series of arm-drags on Orlando followed up by a dropkick that had the latter tumbling out of the ring.
The sight of Orlando recovering on the outside seemed to rattle Robertson, as he began to mutter incomprehensibly at something in the ring. Oddly enough, only referee Kevin Chang was in the ring at the time! Orlando shrugged and got right back into the thick of things, capitalising on Shane being inexplicably distracted to execute a belly-to-back suplex for a near-fall. Robertson recovered nicely from that and began to impose his will on Orlando Grant, a move that had the fans hissing at him mercilessly. The Quarantine Boy hang on, showing just how tough he was, and after goading Robertson into the corner turnbuckle, pulled off a victory roll for the successful 1-2-3! Robertson was immensely agitated at the manner in which he'd lost, but his attempt at revenge ended with Orlando laying him out with his Big Shit Poppin' finisher. After taking the previous episode off to recuperate, it appeared as if The OG of ACW was back in full swing and ready to kick some ass big time.
Winner: Orlando Grant

Josh Marshall vs. Jack Harris (c) for the ACW United States Title (Referee: Dick Zhirkov)
The most-anticipated contest of the evening was on the horizon, and Josh Marshall trekked to the ring receiving a healthy reception from the fans. Josh appeared to be calm and confident as he watched The Chancellor Of Excellence take his time getting to the ring, accompanied by Mary-Lynn Mayweather. The stage was set for an explosive contest, and Harris surely must have been wary of Marshall possibly taking a page out of Peter Phoenix's playbook from last week.
There was to be no reprisal of that; the match started with both men circling each other in the ring before Marshall initiated a tie-up. Jack would have none of that and completely blasted his opponent with a boot to the face, immediately deflating the hopes of the fans. But only for a moment; Josh Marshall sprang back to life after countering a running powerslam into an arm-drag that saw Jack flying out of the ring and his head crazing the steel steps. From there, Josh took the ball and ran with it, rousing the fans with a suicide dive through the ropes! Mayweather's attempted interference was thwarted by Josh who knocked her silly with a clothesline, and got back into the ring to continue battling with The Pikey Madman with the time-limit running down quickly. The latter was knocked woozy by the suicide dive moments earlier, and found himself on the back-foot.
Josh Marshall made the mistake of thinking he had Harris weakened enough, and decided to go for his Snap Shot finisher. Jack powered out and countered with a vicious backdrop driver for a near-fall, with the fans riveted by the back-and-forth nature of the match. With two minutes left on the clock, The Pikey Madman decided to go for the kill in the form of Execution, his chokeslam/powerbomb finisher... but somehow or rather, Josh Marshall simply would not go quiety into the good night and locked in a sleeper submission hold! The sight of The Chancellor Of Excellence on his knees, fading away, had everybody thinking that the end was nigh. Even good ol' Mary-Lynn Mayweather, having recovered from being clotheslined by Josh, was sweating bullets on the outside.
The Unit was not about to lose by a sleeper submission, though, and managed to power out of Marshall's clutches. A brief slugfest erupted, and Jack Harris managed to pull off his Execution finisher after once again countering out of Josh Marshall's Snap Shot finisher. 1-2-3, and Jack Harris retained the United States Title after yet another close battle.
Winner: Jack Harris to retain the United States Title

Aftermath
Jack Harris retrieved his title belt and held it above his head, joined by Mary-Lynn Mayweather in the ring. For the third episode in a row, rubbish filled the ring -- but the sight of Orlando Grant coming out of the back and staring down Harris brought a huge chorus of cheers. Orlando and Harris locked eyes, and it was obvious that the long-standing rivalry between the two men was on the cusp of explosion. The fifth episode of the second season of SHOWCASE ended with Mary-Lynn Mayweather and Jack Harris standing tall in the ring, daring Orlando Grant to make a move.

Reported by:
Sally Broxton
ACW Correspondent
14 March 2010