ACE Showcase - 10/27/24

 ACE Showcase - 10/27/24

The show opens with a lively crowd at ESPN Wide World of Sports as James Graham and Conway Marshall welcome fans to a thrilling edition of ACE Showcase. They build excitement for the day’s lineup, especially with Shoot To Thrill happening tonight in Washington, D.C., and tease that today’s episode is just the start of what’s sure to be an unforgettable night of action!

Backstage, Shania Wheatley is with The Gambler Slim Elroy, looking as sharp as ever in his flashy, Vegas-style suit and trademark hat. Holding a deck of cards, Elroy exudes confidence, grinning as he speaks in his signature, gambling-inspired way.

Slim Elroy: “You know, Shania, today’s gonna be my jackpot. I’ve got Tanji Michio standing across the ring, but he’s just another card in my deck. See, I play my hands smart, and let’s just say Lady Luck is on my side. When the chips are down, the Gambler’s gonna come out on top. So sit tight, because when I hit The Flush, it’s game over, baby!”

With a wink, Elroy strolls off, leaving Wheatley to shake her head in amusement as the camera cuts back to the arena for the first match of the night.

Match 1: Tanji Michio vs. The Gambler Slim Elroy

Elroy’s entrance is classic, with his music playing loud as he saunters to the ring, greeting fans with a cocky smile. The high-energy crowd switches gears when Tanji Michio makes his way out, displaying his martial arts-inspired movements and agile footwork. Once both competitors are in the ring, the bell sounds, and they circle each other, ready to clash.

Elroy takes control early on, using his veteran savvy and occasional underhanded tactics. He distracts the ref at one point, sneaking in a poke to the eye and following up with quick, targeted strikes. The crowd boos, but Elroy just smirks, reveling in their disapproval.

However, Michio’s resilience and martial arts prowess shine as he fights back, dodging Elroy’s attacks and delivering quick, calculated kicks to Elroy’s midsection. The match becomes a fierce, back-and-forth battle as Michio counters Elroy’s more grounded style with swift, high-energy moves, including a beautiful spinning kick that catches Elroy off-guard.

The Gambler stumbles but eventually regains control, using his experience to outmaneuver Michio and trap him in a wrist lock, then a side headlock. The crowd rallies behind Michio, urging him on as he powers out and launches into a final burst of offense, landing several quick jabs and a snap kick that takes Elroy down.

But Elroy, always one to play dirty, seizes an opportunity to pull Michio into a sudden eye rake while the ref’s vision is obstructed. With Michio momentarily blinded, Elroy sets him up for his finisher, The Flush—a leaping DDT that drives Michio’s head into the mat. Elroy covers him for the 1, 2, 3 at 8:22.

James Graham: “The Gambler with the win, and he didn’t even have to stack the deck—well, maybe just a little.”

Conway Marshall: “You have to respect the craft, James. Slim Elroy knows how to play his cards right in that ring.”

Elroy celebrates his victory, taunting the crowd with a smirk as Michio slowly regains his bearings. The show cuts to commercial, leaving the fans hyped and eager for what’s to come next in this action-packed episode of ACE Showcase.

We’re back from break as Air Raid—Talon Towns and Hawk Hensley—accompanied by their manager Scarlett McCaw, make their entrance to a solid crowd reaction, high-fiving fans and hyping up the energy. Just as they finish, The Shadows enter, eerily making their way to the ring in matching black attire, masks, and an ominous silence. Their identities remain a mystery, adding to the intrigue as they take their places in the corner.

Match: Air Raid vs. The Shadows

The bell rings, and Shadow #1 starts things off with Towns. The Shadows immediately display crisp, technical moves and seamless teamwork, tagging each other in and out to keep Towns grounded. Quick holds and frequent tags allow them to control the early part of the match, frustrating Air Raid with their precision and unity.

Towns eventually powers out, using his strength to shift momentum. He lands a big shoulder tackle on Shadow #2, followed by a stunning overhead belly-to-belly suplex that sends the masked man scrambling. Hawk Hensley tags in, and Air Raid’s high-flying style starts to shine, with the duo executing a series of springboard maneuvers that keep The Shadows reeling. The two work in perfect sync, flying off the ropes and keeping The Shadows disoriented with their speed and agility. The crowd is firmly behind Air Raid as they build momentum.

Suddenly, Fuerza Mistica—Dark Phoenix and Dragon Mask—make their way to ringside, drawing a murmur from the crowd. James Graham notes how Fuerza Mistica has clashed with both Air Raid and The Shadows in recent weeks and speculates that their appearance is no coincidence.

With Fuerza Mistica watching, Air Raid’s focus begins to waver. Talon Towns glances their way, trying to keep an eye on them while in the ring, and this split-second distraction proves costly. The Shadowsseize the opportunity, with Shadow #1 tagging in Shadow #2, though it’s so subtle that referee Carl Simmons doesn’t catch the switch. Simmons also doesn’t notice as the Shadows use a quick double-team move, dropping Hensley with a brutal backbreaker-into-swinging neckbreaker combo.

Meanwhile, Towns is still distracted by Fuerza Mistica’s taunts from the outside. He tries to get the ref’s attention, but in that moment, Shadow #2 covers Hensley, and Simmons drops to count the 1-2-3 at 10:08!

James Graham: “The Shadows take advantage, and this one’s over! Air Raid never saw it coming with Fuerza Mistica lurking at ringside!”

Conway Marshall: “They might need to keep their heads in the game next time if they want a fair fight—especially with Fuerza Mistica getting involved.”

After the match, Air Raid, feeling robbed, confronts The Shadows. But before they can get far, Fuerza Mistica jumps onto the apron, yelling taunts, and a three-team brawl erupts at ringside. Fists fly as Dark Phoenix, Dragon Mask, Talon Towns, Hawk Hensley, Shadow #1, and Shadow #2 engage in an all-out melee, with Scarlett McCaw shouting instructions to Air Raid in a bid to rally them.

The ringside chaos spills into the crowd, with each team trading punches and throwing each other into barriers as officials rush down to try and break up the mayhem. The fans are loving the intensity as the fight continues, setting the stage for an explosive showdown between these three teams in the future.

The camera cuts to a commercial with the image of bodies clashing in a frenzy around the ring, building excitement for what’s next on ACE Showcase!

Back from break, Commissioner Conway Marshall is excited to talk about Shoot To Thrill tonight in Washington DC, and presents the following hype video for the event.

The hype video for Shoot to Thrill builds up the night’s major matches and heated feuds in a gritty, suspenseful narrative. It spotlights the rivalry between Keme Dakotah and Cody Montana, each determined to prove their dominance, and previews the mysterious clash between Chase Barclay and The Sandman, whom many believe to be Amir Fayez in disguise. The ACE World Tag Team Championship showdown between the Nigerian Hit Squad and the defending champions, Fargo and Allen, promises an all-out brawl, while Ward Rees and Austin Adonis prepare for their tag team grudge match against Himalaya and Cael Gardner. The Sons of Samoa’s brutal feud with Johnny Roach and The Chaos Riders is highlighted as the main event with enormous stakes for both teams. The video sets an intense, no-nonsense tone, pulling viewers into the night’s high-stakes action and fierce confrontations.

After the Shoot to Thrill hype video, we cut backstage where Shania Wheatley stands with the imposing trio of Reverend Elijah Cross, Rebel Jimmy Lee, and Simbi Loa. The Reverend is in his element, launching into a fiery sermon, his voice dripping with conviction and veiled threats. Clutching his bible, he begins twisting scripture to fit his narrative, portraying Judge Joe Ridge as a hypocrite, a so-called man of justice who has stood in their way for far too long. Cross claims Ridge is corrupt, using his power not for righteousness, but to interfere with the righteous path that Cross and his followers have laid out.

Cross’s sermon broadens as he targets Ambassador Patrick Ford, Calgary Hart, and Asombrosa — men he accuses of meddling in matters they do not understand. With a look of disdain, he warns them that their meddling will lead to their judgment day, as no one defies his cause without facing the consequences. Cross promises that the punishment starts here tonight, with Simbi Loa delivering divine retribution upon Judge Joe Ridge in the main event.

Loa stands silently, his eyes dark and intense, while Rebel Jimmy Lee nods along, reinforcing the words of the Reverend with his own cold smile. Cross finishes by calling tonight’s battle against Ridge the first in a series of punishments — a warning to all who dare cross them. The scene ends with Shania Wheatley looking unnerved, as Cross and his followers glare into the camera, each exuding an aura of ominous certainty.

The final match of ACE Showcase brings an electrifying showdown between Simbi Loa and Judge Joe Ridge, a clash marked by sheer strength, resilience, and calculated strategy. As the bell rings, the two powerhouses waste no time trading stiff blows, each determined to prove dominance. Ridge relies on his experience and ring awareness, dodging and countering when he can, while Loa uses his voodoo-inspired mystique and underhanded tactics to keep Ridge on his toes.

The battle soon spills to the outside, where Loa hurls Ridge into the steel barriers, and Ridge retaliates by slamming Loa into the unforgiving ring steps. The crowd winces as each collision reverberates, and referee Vito Maeillo issues a slow count, ensuring the two stay on the edge of disqualification without crossing the line. With Maeillo’s count reaching a close call, both competitors stagger back into the ring, fueled by the roar of the crowd and the desire to end this brawl decisively.

Back in the ring, Loa tries to finish Ridge with a quick pin using his feet on the ropes, but Maeillo catches the cheating and breaks the count. Ridge, gathering strength, counters with a series of powerful slams, but Loa keeps getting up, defiant and unyielding. At last, Ridge catches Loa with a perfectly executed Verdict Powerslam, slamming him down with authority. Maeillo counts the 1-2-3, and Ridge secures the victory at 12:34, a hard-fought and decisive win.

As Ridge rises to his feet, Ambassador Patrick Ford, Calgary Hart, and Asombrosa make their way to the ring to celebrate. They congratulate Ridge, raising his hand as the crowd cheers. Conway Marshall then comes over the speakers, reminding everyone to tune in to Hulu for Shoot to Thrilltonight, where even more intense battles and rivalries await. With Ridge’s allies standing strong beside him, ACE Showcase signs off, setting the stage for the high-stakes action to come.