There are times that friends fight. There are times that friends make up. Then, there is Austin Jordan and Ace Armstrong. Austin Jordan and Ace Armstrong were closer than most brothers. This friendship, also, found Ace and Austin taking the roles of teacher and student, respectively. Austin wanted to follow his dream of becoming a professional wrestler and he knew that 3Count Pro Wrestling Academy would be where his career needed to start. Ace was the head trainer at the time and took Austin under his wing. Austin would transition from referee to wrestler in the winter of 2016.
As time went on, Austin became a force in the Carolina wrestling scene. During his short time in wrestling, “The A Game” captured championships from various promotions. Most notably, he won the 3Count Next Level Championship in November of 2017 and the 3Count Pro Heavyweight Championship in December of 2018. More importantly than titles, Austin gained the love and support of every fan that he came in contact with him.
As Austin gained fame, it seemed that Ace began to fade into the background. The sense of pride and joy that a teacher should have for his pupil’s success seemingly turned into jealousy and anger. The strong brotherhood was in jeopardy and neither man knew the path it would take. For most, the belief is that the deterioration of this bond started at Country Santa Clash 2018 when Austin Jordan realized his dream by defeating Ken Magnum for the 3Count Pro Heavyweight Championship. However, no action would be taken that night. The timeline of events are below:
In February at “Game On”, Ace acted out his jealousy by attacking his best friend after Austin had successfully defended his newly won championship. Not only did Ace just attack Austin, but he held the champion hostage while asking Commissioner Eric Boughman for a championship match. After having the match granted, Ace attempted to end the career that he had a hand in starting by delivering a piledriver onto a steel chair.
Austin thought he’d get his revenge in March at Boiling Springs High School, but Ace would just get away. Austin chased Ace out of the building during a 6 man tag match.
Ace’s antics continued in April as Ace was forced to defend his #1 Contender’s spot against Bebop at Opportunity Knocks, but Ace prevailed. After another successful defense, Ace attacked Austin. This time Austin was prepared and began to fight back. Austin had to fend Josh Powers, as well. This gave Ace the chance to catch Austin with another devastating piledriver. This set the stage for the championship match set to take place at “Collision Course” in May.
This was it. The time had come for Ace and Austin, teacher and student to meet one on one for the 3Count Heavyweight Championship. The match was a physical and personal battle. As you would expect, Austin was out for blood, but Ace was playing mind games. As he had Austin down, Ace grabbed the microphone and said to Austin, “I would say to be a man like your father, but we know you’re just as pathetic as he is.” Austin is a family man and this caused him to snap. Ace was pummeled with punch after punch until the referee disqualified Austin for not stopping before the 5 count. Unfortunately for Ace, “The A Game” believes in an eye for an eye. He grabbed a steel chair and after a couple of shots to Ace’s back, Austin returned the favor and delivered a piledriver on the steel chair!
During the summer, Ace’s legal team refused a rematch unless Commissioner Eric Boughman added the stipulation that Austin could lose the championship via DQ. After much deliberation and Austin Jordan’s determination to get another shot at his former mentor, the match was granted and set to take place in August at “Aftershock”.
At “Aftershock”, we saw this feud go to a whole new level. After the referee was inadvertently knocked out, Ace kicked Austin low. He, then, went to get the championship belt. Instead of hitting Austin, Ace threw him the belt and laid down as if he had been hit. When the referee came to his senses, he called for the bell and declared Ace Armstrong as the new 3Count Pro Heavyweight Champion. Obviously distraught and heart broken, Austin lost control and accidentally put his hands on Commissioner Eric Boughman. This gave Commissioner Boughman no choice, but to suspend Austin Jordan indefinitely.
In September at “Back to School Bash”, Austin Jordan was nowhere to be found as he was serving his suspension. Ace had his first title defense against Jax N. Saine and was able to squeeze out a victory using the piledriver. As Ace was addressing the crowd, a fire truck pulls up to the building. Out jumps “The A Game”. He hits the ring and takes Ace down. Then, Commission Boughman makes the announcement that Austin Jordan’s suspension and made the rematch for the 3Count Pro Heavyweight Championship for “Mission: Possible” in November.
November. “Mission: Possible”. Main Event. The match where this was suppose to all end, but the hatred between these former friends could not be contained. When Austin had the match won, Ace proceeded to run into the crowd to get away from the challenger. They fought all through the crowd and the referee through the match out. As they made their way back into the ring, security came in to break up the two. Commissioner Eric Boughman got in between the two and announced that this will all come to an end on December 14th at Country Santa Clash.
There must be a winner. There are no shortcuts. There is only one way to win. Your opponent must be incapacitated enough and not able to answer the count of 10. Country Santa Clash will see the 3Count Pro Heavyweight Champion, Ace Armstrong, defend his championship against his former student and best friend, “The A Game” Austin Jordan in a Last Man Standing Match!! After this match, both men will never be the same. Only one man can walk out as champion. That man will be the the 3Count Pro Heavyweight Champion and the LAST MAN STANDING!
