April 9, 2003
Nashville, Tennessee
Narrator: "Tonight we crown the Future of Wrestling. It isn't about being the champion or winning a feud. It is about competition. Each match begins with a handshake and ends the same way. Tonight all feuds are put aside, interference is not allowed. Tonight is about finding the next big thing. Tonight we find out that the future is bright at SMW's Future of Wrestling."
Dan Wilson: "1,946 fans are jampacked in the arena to see who is the future! I'm Dan Wilson and joining me tonight for commentary is Simon Diamond."
Simon Diamond: "Thanks Dan. It's great to be here. However, not everyone announced to be here has arrived. Loki, the former SMW champion is not here."
Wilson: "However, the show must go on. Loki has been replaced by a suitable replacement. Now lets get to the ring to kick things off."
Shannon Moore vs. Keiji Sakoda
The match began with the two competitors shaking hands and then tying up in the middle of the ring. Sakoda got a quick side headlock and used a go behing to contain the quickness of Shannon Moore. Moore pulled Sakoda towards the ropes and then through the ropes. However, Moore held on to the ropes and Keiji Sakoda crashed to the floor. Sensational Shannon Moore then leaped off the top rope onto Sakoda. Both men were slow to get up but made it back into the ring before the referee's ten count. Sakoda eventually regained control by nearly suplexing Shannon Moore on his head. Luckily for Moore, he was able to get an arm up to deflect the pain. This didn't stop Sakoda who worked on the neck of the Sensational One even using a twisting neckbreaker. He went for a pin but Shannon managed to get his foot on the rope. Sakoda argued with the referee while Shannon Moore recovered. He went up top and when Sakoda turned around he hit him with a blockbuster. Shannon Moore hooked the leg and got a 1, 2, 3 to advance in the tournament.
Simon Diamond: "Wow. I've never seen anyone take that much abuse. If I was in there with Sakoda, I would have lost minutes into the match."
Dan Wilson: "It isn't even over for Moore. If he wants to win this thing he still has to beat two more SMW superstars. Speaking of stars, recently the American Icon, The Patriot suffered an arm injury at the hands of Guido Maritato. Lets take a look at what went down."
Highlights are shown of the recent match between Guido Maritato and The Patriot.
Simon Diamond: "We're not sure when the Patriot will return from this injury, but once he does, I wouldn't want to be the Sicilian Shooter."
"Simply Delicious" Damian Steele vs. Christopher Daniels
After a handshake, it was all business. Simply Delicious took control early by whipping The Fallen Angel into the ropes and backdropping him high overhead. He then used full speed to come crashing knee first into the face of Christopher Daniels. Daniels immediately clutched his nose. The referee moved in to take a look at the damage and blood was pouring everywhere. He went to call for the bell, but the former SMW champion would not allow it. Damian Steele did not let up on Daniels. He raked at the nose and applied more pressure to his head. Daniels would fight back with a series of forearms. In a sign of just how much Daniels wants to win this match and the tournament, he went up top and landed headfirst onto Damian Steele. Daniels was not moving but the referee counted to three, awarding Christopher Daniels the victory. The referee moved Daniels off of Steele, revealing a small puddle of blood on Steele. EMTs rushed to the ring to tend to the Fallen Angel.
Dan Wilson: "This doesn't look good for The Fallen Angel in the second round."
Simon Diamond: "You're right Dan. I think he is spending the rest of the night in an emergency room."
Dan Wilson: "Let's send it to Jennie Finch."
Backstage
Jennie Finch: "I'm standing here with Rip Cade and his partner Lance. Rip at one point you must have thought you could be the future of this sport. Tell me, what got you into wrestling."
Rip: "Well Jennie as a teenager, I used to sneak backstage before the matches and see all the wrestlers hanging out. Some even brought their wives along. I took one look at those long, tan legs and knew I had to be a wrestler...the wives had nice tan legs too!"
Lance Cade: "Jennie, do you see why people wonder about this guy?"
Jennie Finche: "Lets get back to the ring!"
S...O...L...U...T...I...O...N... SMW Champion
Steve Bradley vs. Michael Modest
Michale Modest, after a long absence due to a tour of Japan, showed SMW and Steve Bradley that he learned a lot from his time away. Steve Bradley was also coming off of his title victory against Loki and he wrestled with more confidence than usual. After feeling each other out, Modest used a series of knuckle thrusts which he learned in Japan. One of them appeared to have caught The Solution in the wind pipe. Bradley used a thumb to the eye to slow Modest down while he regained regular breathing. Next, Bradley slammed Modest down and dropped an elbow of his own. He lifted Bradley up and powerbombed him. He held on but Bradley's weight was too much for him and Modest fell back to the mat with the champion on top of him. Bradley then landed off the middle rope with a legdrop. Being very serious tonight, The Solution stayed on Modest and wore him down for the death valley driver. Finally when he felt the time was right, he went for it. However, Modest slid behind him and rolled him up for a three count, capping off a stunning victory.
Simon Diamond:"I don't believe it Dan. Did it really happen or am I imagining things?"
Wilson:" It happened. Steve Bradley's stock just came crashing down. In a stunning upset, the SMW champion is eliminated in round one."
Diamond: "I guess it is clear that the trip to Japan wasn't about sushi. Michael Modest is on fire."
Guido Maritato vs. Mystery opponent
After Loki pulled out of the tournament, Guido was left without an opponent. That is, until Xavier showed up. Maritato was unprepared for Xavier who was pumped up for the opportunity to compete in the FOW tournament. Maritato looked dazed by Xavier's quickness but he eventually took him down and applied the fujiwara armbar. However, Xavier powered out and the X-Man drove his shoulder several times into the sternum of the Sicilian Shooter. Lastly, Xavier grabbed the head/neck of Guido and drove him into the mat with a diamond cutter. Xavier called the move X-plosion. He covered Guido and got the victory.
Dan WIlson: "What an impressive debut for the X-Man. He has finally gotten to a place where he can show what he's got!"
Simon Diamond: "I thought the Simonizer was a devastating move but the X-Plosion is truly explosive."
Wilson: "Lets send it to Jennie Finch."
Finch: "Round one of the Future of Wrestling tournament is complete. As you already know, Xavier, Shannon Moore, Christopher Daniels and Michael Modest have advanced. This round, Xavier will take on Shannon Moore and Michael Modest will go up against The Fallen Angel. The winners of these matches will meet up in the finals. Lets begin the first match of the semi finals."
Christopher Daniels vs. Michael Modest
The match began with Michael Modest outmuscling a weak and woozy Fallen Angel and sending him to the outside. Daniels returned to the ring and kicked Modest in the stomach and rammed him into the corner. It became clear that Daniels would be using more brawling tactics for this match. Once again, Modest took him down and began choking Christopher Daniels. However, Modest walked into a belly to belly suplex. Modest used an eye rake to slow Daniels down. He then went up top and was caught and superplexed down. Daniels then locked in a camel clutch. Michael Modest had no choice but to submit."
Wilson: "The Fallen Angel is moving on to the finals!"
Diamond: "Thus far this tournament has been amazing!"
Backstage... Commissioner's Office
Paul Diamond is shown entering Dean Malenko's office with The Future of Wrestling trophy.
Paul Diamond: "Dean, the trophy has arrived. It looks great. I bet you can't wait to present it tonight."
Dean Malenko:"I won't be presenting it tonight. I will present it at the next SMW Aggression."
Diamond: "That's not the way Al Snow would do it."
Dean Malenko looks furious and gets in Diamond's face.
Malenko: "Al Snow is not here right now. And until he is I am in charge. We will do what I say! Have I made myself clear?"
Diamond: "Fine, you're in charge. Whatever you say."
Xavier vs. Shannon Moore
Xavier began the match with a kick to Shannon Moore's stomach and then launced himself off the rope for a flying shoulderblock. Moore landed on the outside but had little time to recover. Xavier propelled himself to the outside and landed squarely on the Sensational One. Xavier rolled him back in and went for a pin but Shannon Moore escaped. Xavier continued the brutal attack for most of the match. Finally, he signaled for the X-Plosion but Moore freed himself from the X-Man and slid outside the ring. Xavier saw it as another opportunity to do a high risk maneuver. As he leaped over the top rope Shannon Moore dropkicked him in one of the most stunning moves of the night. He rolled Xavier back in the ring and landed from the top with a halo. He covered Xavier and got a 1, 2, and then Xavier kicked out. Moore slowly went back up top but Xavier caught him and powerslammed him off the top rope. He pinned him but Moore got his foot on the rope at the last second. Xavier lifted Shannon Moore to his feet and then out of nowhere Moore hit Xavier with the "Moore-gasm" to get the victory and advance in the finals.
Dan Wilson: "Shannon Moore has done it! He goes on to face his top rival, The Fallen Angel!"
Simon Diamond: "I don't expect this to be much of a match. Shannon Moore isn't moving."
Wilson: "Here comes Christopher Daniels. Whether we like it or not this match is about to begin."
Main Event
The Future of Wrestling Tournament Final
Shannon Moore vs. Christopher Daniels
The Fallen Angel came into the ring and stood over the motionless Shannon Moore. He then turned around with his arms raised. Out of nowhere, Moore nipped up and took Daniels down with a hurracanrana. He hooked the legs and got a near fall. Daniels hopped up and quickly stomped away at the battered Sensational One. Daniels took advantage of being in better shape at this time and locked in a leglock. Moore screamed out in pain but did barely get a fingertip on the rope causing the ref to break the hold. Daniels sent Moore off the ropes but Moore ducked a clothesline and brought Daniels down with a crossbody block. Moore appeared to go for a pin but instead he locked in an anklelock, giving The Fallen Angel a taste of his own medicine. Daniels muscled his way out of it and then took Moore down with a legsweep. He then suplexed Moore hard into the mat. Daniels went to drop an elbow but Moore moved out of the way and dropkicked The Fallen Angel to the back of the head. Moore then went up top and signaled for a blockbuster. Bit when he jumped off. Daniels dodged it and locked in a dragon sleeper. Shannon Moore had no choice but to submit.
Dan Wilson: "The Fallen Angel is the Future of Wrestling! He has beaten the best that SMW has to offer and most importantly, he has beaten the thorn in his side, Shannon Moore!"
Shannon Moore got to his feet and approached Christopher Daniels. They shook hands and then Moore raised The Future's arm in victory as the show went off the air.
