It’s our final visit to ‘A Fight Before Christmas III’, a show that I provided my vocal mutterings on in place of Matthew Sweet, who may or may not have been working elsewhere during the Christmas season but that’s a rumour that I can neither confirm nor deny for Mr Sugar Free.

DAPW Championship – Triple Threat – Tommy Cross defeated Sami Sparx, and Jay Robin by pinfall to win the DAPW Championship.

Tommy Cross wasted little time in picking his target, driving his forearm into the face of Tom Atlas from the outset. Sami Sparx wasn’t to be left out and got a forearm from Tommy for his troubles. The match headed to ringside where Tom Atlas picked up a child to use as a weapon.

Atlas picked up the pace, narrowly getting out of the way of a Cribbie Cruncher from Tommy Cross to com back with a slingshot spear. A tentative alliance between Sparx and Atlas was formed to deliver a tandem superkick to Cross with the end of the alliance coming shortly after. Tommy sent Tom across the ring with a pounce that had him spinning.

Tom got a second win, using Cross as a step up to hit a tornado DDT onto Sami Sparx which was delightful. Atlas continued his momentum to lock Tommy Cross into a submission. DE rushed out to assault Tom Atlas, Duke put the finishing touch with a chair shot to the head. A chain wielding Jay Robin chased the trio away but the damage was already done with Cross and Sparx left to slug it out.

A burst superkick ricocheted Tommy Cross to the canvas. A natural selection to flow into a Final Cut combination could only capture a two count. A TKO from Cross couldn’t do the job either. Sparx hit a cutter that had Tommy launched into the turnbuckles. Sami stalked Tommy Cross but was countered into a pop up powerbomb and transitioned into position for a Cribbie Cruncher to send the DAPW Championship into the hands of Red Gate.

As Valek, SAMUEL, and Eden joined Tommy to show off their wares, Cross hit another Cribbie Cruncher to Sami Sparx to add an exclamation point on his victory.

It was an entertaining three way, it didn’t outstay its welcome with an interesting crowd reaction to Tommy Cross getting the win. There was a deflation but in the way that you’ve seen the start of something more horrifying to come. A tense atmosphere descended when the three count was completed.

Christmas Chaos – Retro Randy Valentine, Santa Claus, & Jesus Christ defeated DE (Spike Tierney, Sebastian Asher, & Duke) by pinfall.

Duke made his feelings very clear about Santa Claus, being held back by Asher and Tierney before the bell. He got his wish with a face to face showdown with Saint Nick, receiving the gift of an Atomic Drop to have him walking funny.

DE took advantage of the extra man, and the Christmas Chaos rules to keep on top of Retro Randy Valentine, Spike hitting a low blow in front of referee Chris Quinn as proof. A lariat from Randy allowed him to tag Santa back in who showed hustle, loyalty, and respect to plant Spike with a protobomb and five knuckle shuffle, with an Attitude Adjustment for good measure. Duke arrived with a massive candy cane to hook Santa as Randy Valentine opened a gift to find a chair that he found to good use to smash DE.

Randy was taken out as Santa found himself surrounded by DE who tied him to the ropes with tinsel… then Jesus arrived. Jesus revived Retro Randy Valentine and parted DE. The power of Christ compelled Sebastian Asher to hit himself with a chair, and for Spike Tierney to be slammed into a pile of baubles.

A 3D from Jesus and Santa to Spike presented the win and gave the DAPW crowd some Christmas cheer to close the show.

It was a some silly fun to end the year, the bad guys got a pasting in an over the top manner. The appearance of Jesus was hilarious, fashionably late but made his presence known.

Admittedly it’s been strange to be covering a Christmas themed show over the last couple of weeks, so I’ll be glad to head into the next episodes without the Yuletide decorations. Two decent matches were given in this episode of FCW Empire, with special attention to DE with their interjection in the DAPW Championship match and being in the main event.

The show is available on YouTube: