Masters of Wrestling celebrated the history of Rapid Fire Wrestling with a special reunion show.
Original RFW ring announcer, Jade, stood in the ring and welcomed fans to Rapid Fire Reunion. Jade introduced the evening’s announce team, original RFW announcers Shawn Roberts and Jessie Vega. Jade then introduced RFW founder and the evening’s host, Jim “The Rebel” Rogers.
The Rebel came down to the ring to address the crowd. He promised a night full of action and worthy of the RFW name. The Rebel thanked MoW owner, C.W. Sunderland, for giving RFW the opportunity to put on a show for the fans one last time. The Rebel said that when he created RFW five years ago, he could not have imagined the impact it would have on the wrestling world, ultimately becoming the launchpad for the revived MoW. He also took a moment to acknowledge the many people who started their wrestling careers in RFW and went on to become stars, such as Cate Stiles, Cole Arcane, Tracy Blood, Maria Estrella, Jessie Vega, Aidan North, Kami King, Mysterie, Witchmere, Annika, and more. The Rebel closed out his address by thanking the fans for their support over the years and for keeping RFW alive in their hearts. The Rebel then asked the fans to help make the evening the best night of wrestling ever, and then called on Jade to introduce the first match.
Kami King vs. Annika
Kami King and Annika met in the opening match. Annika made her return to the wrestling ring, having left wrestling for an MMA career after RFW ended. King, who made a few appearances in RFW’s latter days, went on to become a big name in MoW. The women traded offense early on, testing each other’s grappling skills. Shawn Roberts remarked on how far King had come since RFW while Jessie Vega applauded Annika for keeping up with King despite being away from the wrestling ring for a few years.
Annika picked up the pace and wore down King, trying for a few unsuccessful pin attempts. Annika tried for an arm breaker submission, but King squirmed out from her grasp, recovered, and rocked Annika with a blast of strikes and slams. A dazed Annika stumbled into King’s superkick, allowing King to cover for a pin and pick up the victory.
Kami King was declared the winner as the referee held up her hand. Annika stepped forward and offered a handshake to King. King considered before reluctantly shaking Annika’s hand.
Aidan North vs. Jax Rivers
The action continued in a hard-fought matchup between Aidan North and Jax Rivers. This RFW dream match never happened until now and both men made sure to make their match live up to the anticipation. The action picked up the pace after an initial test of each other’s abilities. North bounced around the ring and kept Rivers on the defensive with high speed and aerial assaults. Rivers caught North with a European uppercut and slowed the match back down to his pace.
Jessie Vega commented on how Rivers had been waiting for the right moment to make a comeback. Rivers worked on North’s knee to slow him down. Shawn Roberts sympathized with North, who cried out in pain after a lengthy enduring of a modified Indian deathlock. North broke free from Rivers and tried to fight back with strikes. Rivers maintained control and went for a flapjack but North rolled himself over Rivers’ back and turned it into a sunset flip. North started to make a comeback, though still favoring the knee. Vega commented how competing with an injured leg can be excruciating. North had Rivers up against the ropes and clotheslined him over the top. North then went for a dive through the ropes to the outside, tackling Rivers, but further damaging his leg in the process.
Rivers recovered and tried to roll North into the ring but North slammed Rivers’ head onto the ring apron. Both men brawled on the outside with Rivers slamming into the side of the ring steps and volleying over them to the floor. North hammered on Rivers before rolling him back into the ring. North beat down Rivers and then climbed the turnbuckle for a shooting star press. Rivers recovered before North could take flight, climbing the turnbuckle, and using a flapjack to slam North face first to the mat from the top. Rivers covered North for the pin and was victorious.
Following the match, Rivers approached North and helped him to his feet. Both men shared some words before shaking hands. North raised Rivers’ hand in a show of respect.
Koji Otaka vs. Killer Malone
Two of the toughest brawlers in RFW met in a brutal encounter. Koji Otaka traveled from Japan to battle Killer Malone. Shawn Roberts, having spent most of his career in Japan, remarked that Otaka was the toughest man he ever competed against.
Otaka and Malone verbally sparred during a staredown before locking up. Otaka overpowered Malone but Malone fought back after staggering Otaka with a surprise uppercut. Malone kept on the attack but Otaka began to withstand the damage and fired back. Otaka used a dragon suplex on Malone before coving for a pin. Malone kicked out but was unable to recover quickly enough, giving Otaka more time to dominate the match.
Malone dodged a clothesline and responded with one of his own. Otaka climbed to hit feet but was hit with another clothesline followed by a series of tosses and slams that brought Malone back onto offense. Otaka stunned Malone with a headbutt and moved in for another attack but Malone hit him with a knockout punch. Malone covered for the pin to win the match.
Mysterie vs. Witchmere
Witchmere and her faction, the Children of a Dark Dawn, were the first faction in RFW history. Mysterie and Aidan North were the first to stand up to the Children but Mysterie and Witchmere never had a chance to resolve their differences. Until now.
Witchmere was rocked early on by a determined Mysterie, who moved fast and hit with a high-flying attack. Witchmere caught Mysterie in mid air and drove her to the mat with a powerslam. Witchmere ground down Mysterie’s back with slams, stretches, and strikes. Witchmere tried to force Mysterie into submission but the colorful, masked warrior broke free and started a comeback. Mysterie hit a moonsault on a weakened Witchmere and covered for a pin but Witchmere kicked out. Mysterie then hit Witchmere from behind with a flying knee strike followed by a lionsault off the ropes. Mysterie again went for a pin but Witchmere barely got a shoulder up before the three count. Jessie Vega commented that Witchmere was looking rocked but somehow still finding the fire to keeping fighting. Mysterie went to the top rope and lined up a shooting star press. Witchmere rolled out of the way, causing Mysterie to crash hard on the mat.
Witchmere began a comeback of her own before locking Mysterie in the head vise. Mysterie struggled to escape and looked to be ready to give up until the lights flickered and then blacked out. After a moment of confusion, the lights came back on and the other former members of the Children of a Dark Dawn, Giant Wraith and Grave, stood in the ring. Witchmere released the head vise and stood up, staring in shock at the two hulking men she abandoned years before. The referee tried to get Giant Wraith and Grave to leave. Witchmere still watched them with shock, not noticing that Mysterie had recovered from behind. Mysterie blasted Witchmere from behind and rolled in to a crossface submission. Witchmere struggled to break free as Giant Wraith and Grave left the ring. The referee checked on Witchmere who continued to struggle before passing out. The referee awarded Mysterie the win. Shawn Roberts expressed confusion over what had just happened.
Mysterie stood tall over Witchmere as Giant Wraith and Grave returned to stand behind her. Mysterie looked back at both men before viciously stomping on Witchmere. Together, Mysterie, Giant Wraith, and Grave dumped Witchmere from the ring before leaving together.
Maria Estrella Interview
Jade introduced RFW alumni, Maria Estrella, to the ring. Estrella, dressed casually, greeted fans at ringside and was excited to be there. Shawn Roberts commented on Estrella’s reputation as the sweetheart of RFW and her accomplishment as the first ever female MoW Champion. Jessie Vega expressed regret over her own falling out with Estrella and added that she was proud of what Estrella had accomplished.
Jade welcomed Estrella to the Rapid Fire Reunion and asked how it felt to be in the RFW ring again. Estrella said her career began in RFW five years ago and she would not have gotten where she is without the support of people like The Rebel who gave her a chance. Estrella said she loved RFW and it will always mean so much to her to have been a part of it. Jade then suggested that RFW does not see her in the same light since they did not bother to book her for a match on the reunion card. Estrella did not take the insult lightly and suggested that Jade could be her opponent, challenging her to a match. Jade backed down, informing Estrella that she was not being paid to wrestle.
Estrella appealed to the crowd, who made it known the wanted to see the two fight. Jade muttered that she was done and turned to leave before turning around to try and strike Estrella with the microphone. Estrella telegraphed the surprise attack and blocked it. Jade insisted that it was a mistake, apologizing to Estrella. Estrella appeared to accept the apology and started to back off. Jade gave a fake smile and made a comment that Estrella always was gullible. Before Jade could say more, Estrella grabbed Jade, scooped her over the shoulder, and crushed Jade to the mat with a running powerslam. Estrella posed for the audience, then picked up the microphone and told Jade her services were no longer required. Jade stumbled backstage, holding her neck and looking embarrassed.
Mark Blood vs. King Donovan
The earliest days of RFW featured a struggle between champion King Donovan and challenger Mark Blood. The rivals met one more time at Rapid Fire Reunion and marked the first time King Donovan competed in the United States since RFW closed in 2018.
Maria Estrella took on the role of ring announcer to introduce Mark Blood and King Donovan to the ring. Shawn Roberts commented that while Mark Blood was now at the top of his game, King Donovan never looked better. Jessie Vega said it would be impossible to predict who would win.
Blood and Donovan had a long stare down before locking up. Donovan overpowered Blood into a corner and began a dominant attack. Donovan wore down Blood with slam after slam, leaving no room for Blood to recover. Blood was thrown with a back body drop and bounced out of the ring to the floor. Donovan circled the ring and grinned as he stopped to look down at Blood, who was pulling himself up using the edge of the ring. Donovan climbed through the ropes and stomped on Blood’s hands before hopping down to the floor to continue attacking Blood.
Donovan threw Blood into the ring post, sending Blood to the floor holding his chest and collarbone. Donovan approached to deal some more damage, but Blood pulled Donovan forward, sending Donovan’s forehead into the ring post. Donovan stumbled backward as blood began to spill down his face. Blood recovered and hit a few body shots on Donovan before rolling him into the ring. Blood controlled the match as the action continued in the ring, though he favored his shoulder while wearing down Donovan. Blood slowed the pace with some submissions, though Donovan fought out. Donovan stopped Blood’s momentum with a big boot and tried for a full nelson slam, but Blood blocked the hold and hit Donovan with a jawbreaker to break his grip. Donovan was stunned and Blood made a spirited rally against his old foe.
Donovan tried to stop Blood, but was unable to break through the offense. Donovan did mange to reverse an Irish whip to the corner, but Blood dodged a body splash. As Donovan stumbled away from the turnbuckle, Blood scooped him up for a tombstone piledriver. Blood covered with a pin to win the match. Mark Blood was declared the winner over King Donovan and celebrated his win.
RFW Valkyrie Championship Match
Tracy Blood vs. Cate Stiles (c)
Cate Stiles arrived to defend the RFW Valkyrie Championship for the final time against the first-ever Valkyrie Champion, Tracy Blood.
Blood got the upper hand on Stiles early on with hard kicks to the midsection. Stiles struggled to catch her breath from the body shots. Blood tried to end the match quickly with a head kick, but Stiles caught her foot and reversed it into an ankle lock. Blood quickly got to the ropes to break the hold but favored the ankle after standing up. In just a few short minutes, Stiles and Blood already appeared to have injured each other. Stiles used a vertical suplex on Blood but was slow to get up herself, favoring her ribs. Stiles stomped on Blood’s ankle and tore of the athletic tape off her foot. Stiles focused her attacks on the challenger’s leg.
Blood surprised Stiles with a small package but Stiles kicked out. In her rage, Stiles recklessly charged at Blood who grabbed Stiles and tied her up with a leg scissors and guillotine choke combination that grounded the champion and wore her down. Blood continued her offense, becoming more vicious as she shook off the pain in her leg and began using some knee strikes to Stiles’ ribs. Stiles went for a back suplex on Blood, but screamed out in pain midway through the toss and Blood did not land with full force. Stiles squeezed her torso as she stood up, but Blood recovered more quickly and rocked Stiles with a head kick. Stiles fell to the mat, but Blood also fell to the mat, clutching her leg. Blood climbed on top of Stiles for a pin, but the delay gave Stiles time to kick out.
Blood and Stiles both stood up, slowly, and stared each other down as they leaned on the same ring ropes. They began to trade punches until Stiles dragged a limping Blood down to a turnbuckle and twisted her leg into the ropes. Stiles kicked at Blood’s leg repeatedly as it was tied up in the ropes. Stiles pulled Blood free and went for the ankle lock. Blood slipped her leg free from Stiles before the hold could be properly applied, clipped Stiles out at the legs, and rolled into a Boston crab. Stiles struggled to break the submission but the longer the hold was applied, the more stress it put on Blood’s leg. Stiles managed to hold out until Blood’s leg buckled. Stiles began to stand up again, but Blood rolled her body quickly on the mat, launching her foot forward for a head kick, catching Stiles in the jaw. Stiles stumbled and fell to the mat. Blood climbed over and covered for a pin. The referee counted to three and declared Tracy Blood the winner, and the final RFW Valkyrie Champion.
After the match, Tracy Blood had difficulty standing but managed to hold up the Valkyrie Championship belt in celebration. Cate Stiles stood on the outside the ring, holding her chest, and looking frustrated. Blood slowly left the ring, hobbling up the aisle. Jessie Vega commented that while Blood walked away as champion, she was barely walking, suggesting she may have a serious injury. Shawn Roberts noted that Cate Stiles also looked to be in rough shape and applauded both women for fighting to their absolute limits.
RFW Titan Championship Match
Cole Arcane vs. Rex Anarchy (c)
Cole Arcane and Rex Anarchy had some of the rowdiest matches during their rivalry in the early days of RFW. Anarchy saw something in Arcane and wished to take the young wrestler under his wing. Arcane wished to do things his own way, causing the memorable feud to begin. Now, five years later, they meet in the final RFW match in history with the Titan Championship on the line.
Despite years of animosity, the match did not have an explosive beginning. Arcane took control of the early moments of the match before Anarchy shifted the momentum and began to wear down the challenger. Arcane tried to rally a comeback, feeding off the cheers from the audience, but Anarchy continued to stop all attempts. Shawn Roberts noted how Anarchy is proud of being Titan Champion and is showing how determined he is to keep it that way.
A well-timed forearm shot by Arcane gave him the opening he needed to fight back against the champion. Arcane got fired up as he began to hit Anarchy with a barrage of attacks. Anarchy slid out of the ring to escape but Arcane was right behind and slammed him face first into the announce table. Arcane looked around and started clearing the table. Jessie Vega muttered that it was time for her and Shawn Roberts to run for cover. Arcane rolled Anarchy onto the table before drilling him through it with a piledriver. Arcane dragged a dazed Anarchy into the ring and covered for a pin. Anarchy was able to kick out and stay in the match.
Arcane continued his momentum against the reeling champion until Anarchy slipped free from a bulldog attempt. Anarchy tipped the scales in his favor and started making a strong comeback against Arcane. Arcane dodged a clothesline, took down Anarchy by clipping his knees, and then started moving quickly, pummeling the champion with dropkicks, forearm strikes, and clotheslines off the ropes. Anarchy was thrown to the turnbuckle. Arcane quickly came from behind, got in position for a bulldog, and used a running bulldog to drop the champion. Arcane covered for a pin and was victorious, securing the RFW Titan Championship and going down in history as RFW’s final Titan Champion.
Cole Arcane celebrated the win but before the referee could award him the Titan Championship belt, Rex Anarchy tore it from the referee’s hands. Anarchy was holding a microphone and addressed the new champion. Anarchy told Arcane that he saw something special in him from the day RFW began. They have had their differences over the years, but one thing never changed. Anarchy said that Arcane never stopped fighting, never gave up, and has proven that he was right from the start. Anarchy told Arcane he deserved the RFW Titan Championship, just as he deserved becoming the MoW Champion. Anarchy then handed Arcane the belt and offered a handshake. Arcane looked at Anarchy for a long moment and then accepted the handshake. Anarchy tossed the microphone, patted Arcane on the shoulder, and then left the ring. Cole Arcane stood tall and celebrated before leaving.
The Rebel returned to the ring and once again thanked the fans for their support of RFW. He told the fans their dedication was unmatched. He thanked all the wrestlers who ever competed in RFW. He wished the RFW alumni well, wherever they may go next. Finally, The Rebel thanked everyone for giving him a wonderful career. He said he did not know what was next for him but can sleep easy knowing he had a career that far exceeded any of his wildest dreams. The crowd chanted The Rebel’s name as he waved to them and walked backstage.
Rapid Fire Wrestling 