3 Eryk Van Warren vs. 14 Teddy Palmer
“25 Years” by PANTERA hits and the crowd comes unglued as the riffs from Dimebag Darrell and the beating drums from Vinnie Paul reverberate throughout MGM Grand as Eryk Van Warren hits the stage with a marked intensity. Looking out at the PRIMEates for the first time in his 25-year career, Eryk nods, and proceeds to crack his neck from side to side before heading down to the ring.
Vince Howard: Coming first to the ring, weighing in at two-hundred-and-thirty-four pounds and standing at six feet and two inches tall, he hails from BROOOOOOOKLYN NEW YORK! ERYK VAN WARRRRRRRRRRRRRREN!
Nick Stuart: I still can’t believe EVW is here in PRIME. This is a legend and SHOOT Project Hall of Famer who I never thought would set foot in different ring from SHOOT.
Richard Parker: Whoa, whoa, whoa Let’s pump the brakes here a sec, Nick. Eryk Van Warren, X-Calibur, or whatever the hell he’s calling himself over here, hasn’t done a damn thing in PRIME. His past accomplishments mean nothing.
Nick Stuart: Well, the fans seem to disagree with you. Vehemently.
Richard Parker: Well maybe when Eryk proves to be a bust and not the legend you and he seem to think he is, I’ll be ready with an ‘I told you so.’
Bumping fists with fans at ringside, Eryk refuses to take his eyes off of the ring where he and Teddy Palmer are about to wrestle the match of their lives. Rolling under the bottom rope, Eryk stands up and rubs the PRIME logo in the center of the ring with his black wrestling boot. Nodding once again as if to say, “Yeah, this is about to happen.”, the eldest Van Warren brother then climbs the turnbuckles in the corner and raises both of his arms into the air to classic sounding and very loud, white pyro exploding up from the rafters.
Pointing out into the crowd, Eryk claps out at the fans for being in attendance to witness one of the most important matches of his career. Stepping down from the turnbuckles, Eryk runs his hair through his short, neatly shaped Liddell-esque, before jogging in place in the center of the ring. Hunkering down, EVW simply stares down towards the entrance and waits for his opponent to make his entrance.
Vince Howard: And his opponent, weighing in at two-hundred-and-fifteen pounds and standing at six feet and one inches tall, he hails from Toronto, Ontario, Canada…TEDDY! PALMER!
During Vince Howard’s announcement, the bouncing guitar lick of ‘Leave Me Lonely’ by Hilltop Hoods vibrates through the MGM Grand. The PRIMEates are spirited, on the verge of plunging into a frenzy as Teddy Palmer strolls out onto the stage. He has a swagger to his step, a cocky smirk curled out of the corner of his mouth, and a noticeable chip on his shoulder.
Nick Stuart: And here comes Teddy Palmer!
Richard Parker: Wasn’t he dating the boss?
As the rolling lyrics pick up in pace, Teddy follows suit towards the ring, peeling off his tee. Tossing the ‘Face To Fuckin’ Canvas’ shirt a half dozen rows back, fans within the landing radius play tug of war with the garment. He slaps a few outreached hands, offers a playful wink or two, and rolls underneath the bottom rope.
Nick Stuart: Did you actually watch wrestling the last ten years?
Richard Parker: There was wrestling the last ten years?
Inside the squared circle, Teddy shuffles its perimeter with a lively hop, looking down at the canvas as he does so. He eventually settles in his respective corner, slouching into the turnbuckle, finally looking up at his opponent. With a subtle nod, he lets it be known he’s ready to throw fists.
Nick Stuart: We have both contenders here in the ring, with a huge matchup on our hands! Teddy Palmer and Erk Van Warren have both had incredible careers around the world of wrestling and we get to watch them collide right here on ReVival 2!
Richard Parker: How did Teddy Palmer draw the fourteenth seed? He’s Teddy Palmer, world renowned technician, former champion in multiple promotions, and he’s here as the fourteenth seed? I feel like Eryk Van Warren got a tough shake. See I told you I watched!
Nick Stuart: What about the shake for Teddy Palmer? Being the fourteenth seed means you’re taking on one of the favorites to win the tournament right out of the gate! The man’s going to have to run a GAUNTLET if he wants to win the Universal Championship. And here’s Elvis Nixon calling for the bell!
DING DING
Elvis Nixon finishes checking both men for foriegn objects and immediately calls for the bell. Van Warren charges in at Teddy Palmer, but Palmer manages to side step Van Warren’s attempt for a grapple. Palmer pulls his left hand back and manages to smash Van Warren across the face with a jab. EVW covers up with a philly shell style defense as Palmer tries to fire away with a combination. Van Warren tries to roll through the right hand, but Palmer backs off.
Nick Stuart: I think EVW was trying to bait Teddy Palmer to come in, and countering off of that philly shell defense. I’m sure some of the boxing fans in Vegas really appreciate that.
Richard Parker: Of course he was! Brilliant move by EVW! Maybe Dusk should call the other old man for some lessons. Teach him how to take a little less punishment in the ring.
The two men size each other up again, and Palmer is almost jokingly using some boxing footwork in the ring with EVW. EVW takes the opportunity to sneak his foot in between the smaller man’s feet causing him to trip. Warren grabs Teddy in a front face lock, Teddy manages to pull Van Warren’s hands apart underneath his chin and reverses it into an arm-bar, and follows it up by taking Van Warren into a hammerlock. Teddy rushes Van Warren to the corner and Elvis Nixon rushes in and breaks the two wrestlers apart.
Richard Parker: Oh come on Elvis! Can’t you leave the building already!? Let these two guys work this out.
Nick Stuart: Nixon was right to break up that hold Richard, some great wrestling going on between two guys who are known for doing exactly that!
Palmer splits up, backing away and pointing to a woman near the front row and giving her a wink. EVW doesn’t let the opportunity pass him by as he manages to grab Palmer by the back of the head. Palmer manages to swing it into a collar and elbow tie-up. Palmer is able to get a bit lower than Eryk and manages to push him back a step or two. Van Warren lets Palmer come in, but uses his momentum against him and manages to slide around to back control. Palmer tries to reverse by dropping to a seated position but EVW manages to hold him up anyway. He pulls Palmer into the air by his stomach and holds him there for a moment. Finally pulling himself backwards and sending Palmer skidding across the canvas on his shoulders and neck.
Nick Stuart: WHAT A GERMAN SUPLEX FROM EVW! He deadlifted Teddy Palmer up and over his head!
Richard Parker: Pretty strong guy for an old timer.
Palmer is on the ground holding his neck, and Van Warren is in control. He scampers to his feet and pulls Palmer up, delivering a snap suplex to Palmer. EVW floats over and hooks the far leg.
ONE
Palmer kicks out easily at one, and Van Warren is right back on top of him. Van Warren grabs the out-stretched arm and tries to pull it back into his Kimura lock. Palmer is quick to shift Van Warren from side control into a half guard, struggling to stay out of the Kimura. EVW keeps wrist control with his left hand and drives his right hand into Palmer’s stomach a few times before going back for the Kimura. Teddy readies his hips and manages to shift EVW into a full guard. Teddy manages to slip his leg in between EVW’s arm and uses his foot to push the arm loose of the Kimura attempt. He slides it up onto Van Warren’s shoulder, who immediately realizes the danger and backs away.
Nick Stuart: What a display of grappling. Two masters of their craft going at each other.
Richard Parker: I thought Palmer was dead to rights with that Kimura, but he stayed calm and collected.
Nick Stuart: Staying calm and collected is exactly right Richard, he transitioned him all the way from side control to full guard, and then into a submission attempt.
Teddy Palmer works his way over to the ropes, and takes a moment to get himself to his feet. Van Warren and him give each other a nod, and the two combatants are right back at it in the center of the ring. The two go for a collar and elbow tie up again, and Van Warren immediately has the upper hand. Teddy tries for an arm crank but Van Warren reverses it, Van Warren tries to twist Teddy into a hammerlock, Teddy manages to duck under and grab a hammer lock of his own. Teddy tries to maneuver Van Warren into position for a German Suplex, but Van Warren manages to pull his arm free and pull Teddy’s hands down below his waist taking away the leverage.
Nick Stuart: Now these two men are showing us what they can do standing up! This is great wrestling!
Van Warren explodes behind Palmer grabbing a waist lock of his own and trying to get Teddy up for another German Suplex but Ted sticks his leg between Van Warren’s and is able to stop the momentum. Teddy is able to roll through and generate some space between the two men. Teddy rolls to his feet and immediately hits the ropes coming back at Van Warren. EVW ducks under a clothesline attempt by Palmer, Teddy stops in his tracks and throws a kick at Van Warren’s side. EVW manages to catch the leg, but Palmer smashes him across the side of the head with an enziguri.
EVW stumbles backwards as Teddy kips up to his feet. Van Warren hits the ropes and comes back swinging wildly with a clothesline of his own, but Palmer ducks under and grabs a waist lock. This time, before there is any counter wrestling Teddy manages to elevate Van Warren over his head and slam him to the canvas with a release german suplex!
Nick Stuart: What a move from Teddy Palmer! He’s finally getting his footing in this matchup!
Richard Parker: His hangover must be wearing off.
Palmer floats over with a cover.
ONE
TWO
EVW kicks out emphatically. Palmer gets to his feet, and EVW is up soon after him. Teddy fires off a right hand and EVW returns the favor. The two trade blows back and forth in the middle of the ring. The fans begin to get into the two going back and forth, when finally Van Warren breaks it up by grabbing Teddy and throwing him over his head with a belly to belly suplex. Palmer crashes like a ton of bricks and Van Warren is right back on him with side control. Palmer immediately locks his hands together and Van Warren tries to pull Palmer’s grip apart, but Palmer responds with a right hand. Van Warren sees an opportunity and begins driving elbows into Teddy Palmer’s unprotected mouth.
Richard Parker: OH! PALMER’S BLEEDING!
Nick Stuart: You would be correct Richard, Palmer bleeding on the mat here after EVW let the elbows fly!
EVW once again tries for the Kimura, but Palmer flips over, giving Van Warren his back. Palmer manages to scramble out of the hold and the two men arrive at their feet. Palmer rotates and manages to stick Van Warren with a clothesline in the chest. Van Warren staggers, and responds with a knife edge chop. Palmer staggers back and rebounds off the ropes, smashing Van Warren with a lariat. EVW drops to his knees, and Palmer hits the ropes with everything he has. Palmer comes back and leaps looking for the Nosebleed Section, but Van Warren pops to his feet and levels Palmer across the mouth with an elbow.
Nick Stuart: Oh, that blood is all over the canvas now after that sharp elbow to the leaping Teddy Palmer.
Richard Parker: It’s like he was spearfishing! He stuck him out of midair!
Palmer staggers back and Van Warren is still wobbly from the multiple lariats. Both men take a minute to collect themselves. Van Warren runs over and once again gets Palmer in a waist lock looking for the German Suplex. Palmer manages to once again reverse by ducking the shoulder, but he manages to control Van Warren’s wrist. Van Warren tries to step forward, and the bloodied Palmer lets him before viciously pulling him back towards him.
Nick Stuart: RIPCORD KNEE STRIKE MISSES! VAN WARREN SAW IT COMING!
Richard Parker: But he missed that one!
Van Warren ducks under the ripcord knee strike, both men pivot in an instant going back towards each other. Palmer manages to smash EVW across the mouth with a regular knee strike sending him sprawling to the canvas.
Nick Stuart: Look Richard! Now Van Warren’s bleeding just below his eye where that knee strike connected!
Richard Parker: That’s a pretty nasty gash, Van Warren’s lucky that knee didn’t connect above his eye instead of below it.
Palmer falls over on top of Van Warren.
ONE
TWO
…
Nick Stuart: What a kickout by Van Warren! It wasn’t as emphatic as earlier, but how could it be? These men have wrestled for sixteen minutes so far.
Richard Parker: Great stamina being shown by these two technicians.
Teddy rolls Van Warren back onto his back, and tries to flatten him out for a Crucifix position. Van Warren knows the danger, and manages to keep his left shoulder up off of the mat as the two men slide around the ring. Small strikes are being trades on the inside by Palmer, occasionally letting his left hand fly smashing into Van Warren’s mouth. Van Warren takes the punishment and manages to get his hips into position, sending Palmer crashing to the ground as Warren rolls out of the predicament. Van Warren now has the top position and is stuck in Teddy Palmer’s guard with Palmer clasping onto Van Warren’s neck to keep him from posturing up.
Nick Stuart: These two grappling like this on the ground is a real treat.
Richard Parker: Normally Vegas is booing this stuff…
Van Warren manages to get his arms through Teddy’s and posture himself up. He pulls Teddy down closer to him, and creates leverage with his legs to send some ground and pound back to Teddy Palmer’s bloody face. Palmer tries to grab EVW again by the neck, but he unloads another right hand into Palmer’s face.
Richard Parker: There’s so much blood on the mat it’s hard to tell whos is whos in there.
Nick Stuart: You’re telling me! And the way those two keep grappling it’s impossible to tell what came from where. We just know Teddy Palmer seems to be cut in the corner of his lip, and Van Warren is cut right beneath his eye.
Van Warren finally manages to grab one of Teddy’s arms and goes about trying to lock in a Kimura again. Palmer is dazed as his arm starts to slip behind him, just as he feels his first twinge of pain from the Kimura, Palmer manages to hook his legs up around EVW’s head. It all happens in an instant, and EVW is now the one trying to get out of the hold. He tries to keep his arm at the halfway point with the Kimura, but Ted is able to use his other arm to pry Van Warren’s hand off of his. Teddy smashes Van Warren in the face a few more times, before locking in his triangle choke while he keeps his shoulders off of the mat.
Nick Stuart: BYE BYE BYRDIE! PALMER’S LOCKED IN BYE BYE BYRDIE!
Richard Parker: Why does he call it Bye Bye Byrdie?
Nick Stuart: You really haven’t been around wrestling in the last ten years have you?
Van Warren struggles against the hold, and manages to rotate himself around the canvas, eventually coming face to face with the hard cam. Palmer keeps his shoulders elevated, and clamps down on the choke with everything he has. Van Warren struggles for another moment, feeling the blood running down the side of his face, he can feel his spittle turning to foam in his mouth. He looks directly into the camera on the floor.
And Eryk Van Warren taps out.
DING DING DING
Vince Howard: The winner of this match….TEDDY PALMER!
Nick Stuart: Wow, I can’t believe it! Van Warren tapped out!
Richard Parker: What was he supposed to do? Let him put him to sleep so he loses all of his brain cells? The mans damn near fifty! He’s probably got grandchildren at home watching this.
Nick Stuart: You really haven’t watched wrestling in the last ten years then… But what a win for Teddy Palmer! And what a show! Can you believe we still have one match to go?
ReVival cuts away from ringside and a celebrating Teddy Palmer.