George Hunter finally dethroned Carter as Fight Factory Wrestling crowned three new champions at Rise of Champions in Lincoln on August 22.
Returning to the city centre venue following a sold-out show back in April, the Lincoln-based promotion headlined its latest show with the final match in the trilogy between Junior Heavyweight Champion Carter and challenger George Hunter. While Carter won the previous two encounters, neither was without controversy as low blows and title shots helped the teenage champion keep hold of the gold.
This time was Hunter’s final chance. If Hunter couldn’t beat Carter this time around, his Junior Heavyweight Title dreams would come to an end. With a Rocky-inspired training montage playing beforehand, it was clear that Hunter had been positioned as the hero of the story. Getting the better of Carter early on, Hunter hit a barrage of high-flying moves but was unable to get the three. Likewise, Carter countered Hunter’s attempted slam into a destroyer, but still wasn’t able to put his opponent away.
With referee Danny Marks knocked down, Carter once again looked to use his prized title belt to his advantage. However, it was FFW owner Rebecca who intervened, snatching the title out of Carter’s hands. The enraged champion was then hit with a 450 elbow drop from Hunter, finally giving Hunter the win to the delight of the fans. With callbacks to their previous encounters, big moves and multiple believable near falls, it was a fitting conclusion to their trilogy.
After the match, Carter vented his frustrations at Rebecca, but the night was not over for the now former champion. The punishment continued as AJ Loeve and Strap hit the ring on behalf of FFW, repeatedly pelting the former champion with turnbuckle pads before bringing the show to a close.
More New Champions Crowned At Fight Factory Wrestling: Rise Of Champions
The advertised card underwent several changes due to injuries and other unforeseen circumstances. Instead of Crook defending the Academy Championship in an open challenge, a battle royal took place to determine the next number one contender. With ring announcer Stew and Brad Adder among the competitors, the final two came down to Jack Maxwell and Cousin Lenny. In the end, Lenny was able to hold on and win the match, becoming Crook’s first challenger in the process.
Rebecca made her first appearance of the night to announce that the FFW Ladies Championship had been vacated as Lana Austin was still recovering from injury. With FFW in need of a champion, the vacant title was awarded to Kiya, who was previously the number one contender. Although the fans were happy with the decision, Eliza Roux was not. Asking when her title match would be, Roux was told that she would be granted a shot if she beat her surprise opponent for the night, Tilda. After picking up a quick win over Tilda, it was announced that the Ladies’ Title would be on the line later that night. Despite a handshake at first, Roux attacked Kiya to make it clear that any friendship between them was over.
Easily the hardest-hitting match of the night came next as Rogan faced Erin Jacobs. Physical from the off, this was the chop and strike fest that fans expected from the two big men. With the fight spilling outside, both men agreed to break things up briefly so that there could be a winner. For once, Rogan found himself matched for power, but the former World Champion ultimately got the better of Jacobs by choking him unconscious. If you like to see two big men going hell for leather from the opening bell, this is the match for you!
Rounding out the first half was a three-way match to crown new Tag Team Champions as these titles were also vacated due to injury. Act Two, Strap & Mike Raphone and AJ Loeve & Zac Rowe all looked to win the vacant titles. Act Two controlled most of the match, isolating their opponents from getting involved. Despite a brief comeback from Strap, it was Act Two who picked up the win with a double team enziguri combination. The victory made Act Two 17-time Tag Team Champions across various promotions, adding another championship to their already impressive résumé.
The World Title match between Joey Slade and Damien Valentine kicked off the second half in what was also Slade’s first title defence. Slade was on the back foot early on and tried to duck Valentine’s attacks, but was eventually caught by the challenger. With Slade locked in the Boston Crab, it looked like the Hellbound member’s time on top may be brief. Will Jackson distracted the referee while Valentine had Slade trapped in the Boston Crab, and the champion appeared to tap out. With the referee failing to see the submission, Valentine believed he had won. Slade then resorted to a low blow before hitting the Helldriver to retain the championship.
The penultimate match of the show saw Kiya and Eliza Roux return with the Ladies’ Championship at stake. Roux took advantage of her earlier attack to target Kiya’s upper body, but the champion looked to valiantly fight through the pain as Tilda cheered her on at ringside, homemade sign included. With Tilda accidentally distracting the referee, FFW ring announcer Rebecca – who was not on duty for this show – came into the ring and struck Kiya with the title, allowing Roux to capitalise and win back the Ladies Championship.
Fight Factory Rise Of Champions Results
- Cousin Lenny won a battle royal to become the new number one contender to the Academy Championship
- Eliza Roux defeated Tilda to become the new number one contender to the Ladies Championship
- Rogan defeated Erin Jacobs
- Act Two defeated AJ Loeve & Zac Rowe and Mike Raphone & Strap to win the vacant Tag Team Championships
- Joey Slade defeated Damien Valentine to retain the Heavyweight Championship
- Eliza Roux defeated Kiya to become the new Ladies Champion
- George Hunter defeated Carter to become the new Junior Heavyweight Champion
Fight Factory Wrestling will return to One NK on September 19 for King of the Cage. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
Featured image: Fight Factory Wrestling
