Meanwhile, Jeff Van Damage is enjoying one of the greatest reigns of his MIA career. After making his comeback at the 32 man battle royal in Early April '02, Jeff had become the "Kurt Angle" of the MIA, taking anyone in a match with him to an AWESOME level, and earning instant "match of the night" honors. His reign as the MIA's first-ever double champion had just begun 2 weeks previous, after beating Dethlok's protege, WarLoK, in a BRUTAL Bloodsport Title match, and then coming back later in the SAME evening to fight the Black Bandit in an awesome match to win the Dark Flame title. Jeff's had a week off, but in the meanwhile, he made sure Chevalier realized that his comments did fall on deaf ears. Jeff began cutting a string of intense promos on Chevalier, vowing that his arrogance would not go unaccounted for. Chevalier retaliated in a simple fashion: "I'd like to see you try." Jeff's response? "Just BRING IT, you self-worshipping BITCH." And thus, one of the most bitter and personal feuds in the MIA begins.
The great part is how both guys see this match: Jeff sees it as his big opportunity to beat a HUGE name in the Wrassle community, possibly his biggest match ever, whereas Chevalier is brushing off JVD as just another challenger. And still maintaining his face status the whole time, mind you. What started as just another title defense became one of the most hotly debated matches in MIA history, and a clear, SCARY warning that JVD was indeed the best kept secret in Wrassle. And now.. the match.
Both guys enter the arena to MASSIVE pops. Chevalier enters with the usual fanfare (which is interesting, considering the man supports FRANCE), Jeff enters with the smoking pyro and the equally-smoking Britney Townsend. The pops for this match are OFF THE CHART huge, with JVD's just a tad bit bigger than Chevalier's. This is very notable, too, as Chevalier seems almost insulted about the whole "one-upping" by JVD. After a really sweet staredown in the middle of the ring, the tone is set: Chevalier considers this just another match, and Jeff is bringing the hardware. And, for a cage match, they do something VERY unexpected: a MAT WRESTLING exchange. The crowd is confused as hell, but these two guys just go toe to toe, putting out at least 15 different ways top segue into a headlock. It's pretty fun, until Chevalier
Finally, after a small bit of stalling, we get another lock up, and Chevalier works him over with the pinpoint elbows and knees. Chevalier continues to beat on JVD but gets caught with an atomic drop and a clothesline from JVD, who stays on the attack. A whip into the ropes is reversed by Chevalier into a pulling European Uppercut that SNAPS Jeff's head back! That's a grand way to regain control, as Chevalier pounds away with forearms. JVD blocks a cage shot with a rather weak DDT, and tries to climb out, but Chevalier catches him and they continue to fight. Chevalier with an enziguri to knock JVD off the cage, and then knee drops the arm, hoping to keep him from climbing. Good psychology, but it's not followed up on. Chevalier tries to climb out but JVD stops him and suplexes him off the ropes to a big pop. JVD tries to go out the door but Chevalier pulls him back in. Chevalier hammers away but JVD kicks him in the stomach and gives him a Springboard Bulldog. JVD goes for the door but Chevalier pulls him back in. Chevalier goes for the door but JVD pulls him back in. JVD goes for the door again but Chevalier pulls him back in. Chevalier goes for the door but JVD pulls him back in(!) and rakes Chevalier's face as Troy and Shelly note how both men have put their focus on escaping, rather than unleash a plethora of high spots.
JVD climbs again, but Chevalier slams him down. Chevalier climbs again, but JVD catches him and pulls him in by the hair. They slug it out on the top rope- Chevalier wins and JVD falls. Chevalier with a top-rope knee drop, before locking in a chinlock with a knee to the side of the neck. He pulls JVD up, and slings him into the cage, before dropping him with a running neck breaker. He runs and lunges at the cage. He gets out but his foot gets caught and JVD pulls him back in! Every open opportunity, they go for the win; the way a cage match should be. JVD climbs out, but straddles the top of the cage and Chevalier brings him back in as they brawl on the cage. They slowly come back to the mat, and JVD rams him into the cage as Britney looks worried. Chevalier hammers away, but JVD comes back with a back body drop. They collide in mid ring for a short KO spot. Chevalier uses the stop in action to inch near the door, and almost sneaks out, but JVD stops him just in time. JVD nails him in the face and forearms him. Jeff now tries to escape over the top but Chevalier stops him. JVD kicks him in the face but Chevalier drags him off the top of the cage and tosses him to the mat. Jeff pops up, and gives Chevalier a MIGHTY FOOT(!) to knees(!!), crotching him on the top rope in the process. Chevalier falls, and Jeff nails a Springboard Moonsault, but Chevalier gets the knees up, thus no-selling the knee damage.. for now.
Chevalier crawls towards the door but JVD grabs an ankle. He goes for a German, but Chevalier reverses and goes for one of his own. Jeff holds onto the ropes, and SNAPS Chevalier's head into the cage with the Bret Hart-waistlock-reversal. Now Chevalier is stuck between the ropes and the cage, so Jeff sends back, and NAILS him with a spear into the cage! "JVD" chant, as Chevalier crumbles to the mat, and Jeff goes to escape. Chevalier grabs the ankle, and drags Jeff to the center of the ring, dropping an elbow to the back. Chevalier then goes for the climb, but Jeff races up, and DRILLS Chevalier with a Reverse DDT off the ropes! JVD goes to climb out but decides to drop the Code Red instead. Problem is- JVD misses!! Both guys get up, and we get a forearm-chop trade off. Jeff wins, and sends Chevalier into the ropes. Chevalier ducks the lariat, and goes for the Mailed Fist of The Just, but Jeff ducks, and goes for the MIGHTY FOOT, only for Chevalier to duck! Chevalier kicks JVD, and goes for the Butterfly Powerbomb, but Jeff snaps off an rana, and then follows up with the SHINING WIZARD out of nowhere! Jeff goes for the climb, but Chevalier gets beneath, and catches him in an Electric Chair position, and drills him into the cage. Jeff bounces off, only to walking right into the Chevalier SPINEBUSTER!
Now Chevalier goes for the door, and actually gets most of the way there, until Jeff kicks the ropes, crotching Chevalier and driving him back! He tosses Chevalier off the ropes, and ducks his head. Chevalier goes for the kick, but Jeff totally suckers Chevalier in, nailing him with the Step Over Heel Kick. He kips up, and runs for the cage, only for Chevalier to toss him off. Both guys miss chops, punches, Jeff ducks Chevalier's Yakuza Kick, Chevalier side steps JVD's MIGHTY FOOT, and we get double lariat, and the KO spot. WHEW! These guys are just beating the snot out of each other. Both guys are sweating a MESS, and Troy and Shelly are in awe of the tenacious match they're seeing. Chevalier goes for the climb out, and gets up towards the top, but Jeff catches him. Chevalier with a head butt, and then he whacks JVD's head into the top of the cage, and Jeff SPLATS on the mat! God, what a sick landing. And while Jeff is dead on the canvas, Chevalier gets over the top, and it looks like smooth sailing and a new champion. But finally Jeff SCRAMBLES for the door, crawling the whole way, and both guys drop at the SAME TIME. Bell rings, and we have........ no winner? "BULL SHIT" chant goes up, as Chevalier salutes JVD and walks off. Jeff stops him, and says "let's go again" to a HUGE ovation from the crowd, and I'm agreeing with them. Chevalier is all for it, and we're back into the cage.
Jeff climbs, and gets halfway over when Chevalier grabs his foot. JVD escapes but just BOOTING Chevalier in the face, opening up the cut even more, and tries again but Chevalier stops him. Chevalier puts JVD in Torture Rack position and drops him with a ANGLE SLAM (kinda) off the cage! Jeff's body BOUNCES off the mat and he goes totally limp in a SICK, SICK sell of the move, as we get another KO spot. Britney Townsend is on her feet DEMANDING JVD get up. Chevalier tries to escape, and JVD stops him and makes him eat cage a couple times. JVD climbs out but Chevalier physically brings him back in and gives him a HUGE BACKDROP DRIVER off the top. I'm talking head-crushing nasty here. A little rest, as Chevalier is showing the effects of the match. Chevalier goes for a piledriver, but Jeff lifts up Chevalier's body into THE TRUTH (Alabama Slam- No Look Sit Out Tombstone). Chevalier collapses, as does JVD, but then.. KIP UP! BRING IT, BITCH!! Crowd is on it's feet!! Chevalier gets up, and walks right into the VAN DAMAGER.. No! Mailed Fist of the JUST MISSING as Jeff goes for the MIGHTY FOOT--NO! Chevalier catches, spins JVD, and then tries a Reverse Suplex INTO the cage--but Jeff hangs on to the cage like Spider-Man (you gotta see it to believe it) and then pops off, taking Chevalier down with a Reverse Headscissors! Chevalier pops up, and gets drop toe held into the ropes! Jeff floats back, and readies the SPEAR.. but Chevalier catches JVD(!!) and muscles him up into a spine-shattering TIGER BOMB! He just grabbed JVD in mid-stride and forced him into it. This has been like 40 minutes mind you, this is insane. Then again, they've been taking like one minute KO spots lately, too.
Chevalier goes to escape but he's too exhausted to climb out at first. Chevalier finally musters up the energy to climb out but JVD stops him. Chevalier hammers away with some awfully nasty looking punches, and falls off the ropes. Chevalier tries to stand up, but loses his balance though and falls as well. Here comes another KO spot.. NO! Jeff says no rest for the weary, and grapevines Chevalier's legs on the mat into the Sharpshooter! Jeff's got a legit cut on his own from one of Chevalier's stiff punches, plus a little bruise under his left cheek. Chevalier grabs the ropes, but there is NO rope breaks in a cage match, and the crowd is ELECTRIC. Jeff lets go, and falls to a knee, just noticing his own cut. He shakes it off, and goes for the door but Chevalier tries with all his might to keep JVD in. JVD gets on top of Chevalier and punches him and gets SOOOO close to escaping before Chevalier is able to bring him again. The crowd was just waiting to unleash the cheer, and let out this huge groan of disappointment when Jeff didn't make it. Even the cage guys were ready to pack it up and go home. Chevalier grabs Jeff by the head, and just SLUGS away at JVD. Chevalier goes the door again but JVD drags him back in and slingshots him into the cage. Chevalier bounces out, only for Jeff to go for a German. Chevalier, reverses, goes for a German, but Jeff breaks, grabs, Chevalier's head, and goes for the Sliced Bread #2, but Chevalier pushes JVD off. He swings once again for the Mailed Fist of the Just, but Jeff ducks. He clutches Chevalier's open hand, grasps it, and goes for the RUDO-CANRANA, but Chevalier reverses to the YOU ARE SO DEAD JACKNIFE POWERBOMB!! Chevalier collapses after that fast paced exchange, as the crowd erupts.
Chevalier rolls for the door, but Jeff grabs the leg and goes for the Ankle Lock! Chevalier reverses into a Regal Stretch variation, but Jeff rolls through to a Dragon Clutch! Chevalier knees his way free, only for Jeff to snap off a STIFF~! Kick to Chevalier's back! JVD goes for the door but Chevalier dives halfway across the ring to catch JVD's foot and keep him in the ring. Chevalier tries to climb out but JVD pops up and grabs his foot. Chevalier goes over the cage but JVD drags him back in. They brawl on the top rope with Chevalier winning. Chevalier pushes JVD off the top, only for Jeff to land on his feet. Chevalier goes for a Double Axehandle, but Jeff kicks him in the face. He tries to climb out, and Chevalier dives at him and brings him back in. Chevalier with two forearms and they both collide. Chevalier climbs out but JVD catches him and gives him a Super Hip Toss off the top rope! Both men are out as JVD struggles to get up. JVD crawls toward the door but Chevalier catches his foot and locks in the Sharpshooter. JVD is able to reverse the hold and locks in a Sharpshooter of his own. Wow, all those head shots are making these guys just POUR blood. JVD releases and climbs out but Chevalier dives up and grabs his hair. He tries to brawl with JVD again, but Jeff kicks Chevalier off the top of the cage! Chevalier grabs Jeff on the way down, though, and crotches him on the top rope!! Now Chevalier tries to crawl out, and Jeff is trying to climb out. In an awesome call back to the FIRST finish of the match, Chevalier attempts to roll out, but Jeff just FALLS from halfway from the floor to get the win!!!!
Chevalier rolls out a second after Jeff's body hits the floor, and the bell rings. Chevalier turns, and sees the referee racing towards Jeff, declaring him the winner, and the look on his face is PRICELESS. The Crowd goes INSANE here, an ear-throbbing flood of cheering, as a bloody, bruised JVD has his hand raises and the Dark Flame Title handed to him. Winner: Jeff Van Damage (54:32)