PYRAMID GRAPPLING LEAGUE: Day 3

MAX-J returned to Fugu Hall for Day 3 of the PYRAMID GRAPPLING LEAGUE. The stakes for today were at the elimination level. We began with an update on Mike Musket who had been given clearance to fight through a partially sprained AC joint to compete.

Shinjiro Nakama would battle Matt Pulver in a competitive match that would see Nakama continue trying to keep the fight upright with low kicks, playing to his strength and avoid going to the ground. With his superior reach, he easily kept Matt Pulver at bay for most of the match. Pulver nearly scored a takedown on the big man, but the Mountain just would not go down. The fight would eventually go to the judges who would award Nakama a split decision, the lone judge crediting Pulver winning on points due to his more aggressive style.

Nakama would receive the break tonight, so Pulver would stay in the ring and go up against Mike Musket. The fans would stand to their feet when Musket emerged from the back with a hero's entrance, his shoulder heavily taped. Big Ole Country did not let his injury stop him from competing, though when the fight would drop to the mat he became noticeably slower. At the end of the first round, he caught a low roundhouse kick and drove Pulver into the ground, nearly knocking the wind out of the Swedish Wrestling Machine! Musket had the full mount but the bell ended the onslaught. The second round was more of cautious affair from both men, but Pulver went for a flying cross armbreaker and just nearly pulled it off before Musket could escape. This fight also went to the judges. One judge scored the fight for Musket… the other for Pulver… and the other? A draw. So, this bout ended in a draw with neither fighter accumulating any points. With this result, Matt Pulver would secure his spot in the finals.

Musket vs. Nakama had elimination implications and both men slugged it out. Musket ate many kicks from Nakama as he charged forward, sacrificing his body to try and take the fight to the ground. Eventually he succeeded, and though Nakama kept him momentarily in a full guard, Musket would slip out and gain side control. He nearly locked in an americana, but did not have the strength in the shoulder to crank the hold. The bell for the first round would sound as Musket shook his head, fatigued and cradling his shoulder.

The second round would go to Nakama as he took advantage of the fatigued and worn-out Musket, consistently getting him to the ground and keeping him on his back. Musket could do virtually nothing and this was why the judges’ awarded “Mountain” Shinjiro the unanimous victory, a move that blocked a possible tie between the two men and eliminated Musket from the league final.

So, we will have a league final of Matt Pulver versus Shinjiro Nakama. Pulver tapped out Nakama on the opening night, but by incorporating more strikes into his tactics and wearing out fighters with his size instead of going for the quick kill, “Mountain” Shinjiro has transformed him into an exponentially better fighter. However, the deck will be stacked against him. To win, Shinjiro needs all three judges to score the match in his favor, or score a tapout submission or referee stoppage. A mere split decision will not cut it, so the Mountain has his work cut out for him!

Rankings

With only one match on the schedule, tomorrow will serve as a fan-friendly affair. Many of the wrestlers will be signing autographs and posing for pictures. We have also confirmed that MAX-J Heavyweight Champion Demon Lord ZENKI will be in attendance and has assured that the Demon Brigade zealots will behave honorably. Additionally, there is word that General Manager Masaaki Sano has an announcement. What will he have to say?! Tune into find out!