Possible Clues:

• Main event preceder, for short
• Event in preparation for another (abbr)
• Match before the main event, briefly
• Not the main event, briefly
• Runner-up put under pressure in early round of competition
• First exam at some universities
• Examination of runner coming up, under pressure
• Early game in a tourney
• Felt unable to take external paper in proper exam
• Bout before the biggie