NLW Ascendency IX | Saturday, February 6th, 2021 | LIVE
Jan 31, 2021 17:01:00 GMT -5
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Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDENCY IX
LIVE from the Avron B Fogelman Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, February 6th, 2021
The opening riffs of "Obey" by Bring Me The Horizon and YUNGBLUD echoes throughout the arena as the fans begin to cheer loudly. The camera focuses on the announce team of Dan Simmons and Tommy West.
Dan Simmons: Ladies and gentlemen, we are two weeks away from Masquerade, but there's still a lot of work to put in before we get there, welcome to NLW Ascendancy! I'm Dan Simmons and Tommy West is along side me again, partner, we got a lot to get through tonight!
Tommy West: Damn right. Before we do though, we need to talk about Supremacy! El Rey may have fallen just short, but Eli Dresden pulled off the upset of the year!
Dan Simmons: Perhaps it is right now, but I get the sense that in the months and years to come, it may not seem like such an upset! That wasn't all for us and Supremacy, FDJ was nothing short of impressive, and he'll be keeping a close eye on who's next to face him, we find that out in our main event tonight between Joshua Darkwood and Nathan Parker. Also impressive at Supremacy and representing this great brand, The Academy, they are in tag team action against The New South!
Tommy West: Listen, all the NLW competitors showed up and proved that we're not to be ignored, but The New South impressed me last time around at how ruthless they're willing to be, so the champ needs to up his game if he wants to get to Masquerade in good health!
Dan Simmons: Well he'll also have to face his three opponents face to face following the main event tonight. That's right folks, Leon Chant, Eli Dresden, Al Jabroni and "Big Tiger" Takuma Okazaki will all have one final face off before their ladder match for the Heavyweight Title in two weeks.
Tommy West: I feel like I'm in a cliché infomercial, but wait! There's more! The newly named Brute Squad, FDJ and Gerhard Bishop go up against Maze and Mystique, the man known as Storm Crow, Tommy Kelly debuts against the man who doesn't wish to fight, Joe Blow!
Dan Simmons: I'm pretty sure Joe will find more ways to avoid the match, the chess match between our General Manager and Blow feels to be still in its infancy! Speaking of our General Manager, he will be confirming who else will be involved at Masquerade, but not before our opening match, Cheez debuts right now, and he's up against Scott Hampton!
MATCH ONE
Cheez vs Scott Hampton
Richard Allen George, or Cheez to pretty much anybody took his time from leaving his corner after the opening bell rang. He looked nervous, especially in comparison to Hampton, who was practically begging Cheez to come at him. Slowly, Cheez approached and Hampton locked up with him, and immediately backed him into the corner. The referee asked for the break, which he obliged to and told Cheez to come at him once more. Cheez took a step forward but was met with a pump kick which rocked him and forced him back into the corner. Hampton took a couple steps back before charging and hitting a running dropkick to Cheez, causing him to land face down on the mat. Hampton wasn’t done, and as Cheez recovered and got back to his feet he turned into a Lights Out [pump knee strike] from Hampton, who made the early cover but only got a two.
Hampton looked laser-focused and not getting the three doesn’t bother him at all. He stepped through the ropes and waited for Cheez to return to his feet, and as he did he sprang back and drilled Cheez with a springboard forearm. Hampton was fired up and let the crowd know about it, who gave him a warm response in return. He approached Cheez again but Cheez, perhaps out of desperation, grabbed Hampton by the tights and thrust his throat into the second rope.
Cheez scrambled to his feet, knowing this was his first chance to get some meaningful offense. With Hampton hung up on the middle rope, he started with a stiff kick to the chest, which forced Hampton to roll into the corner, and before he could mount a counter Cheeze hit a running dropkick of his own. Cheez started to show a glance of more confidence, and dragged Hampton up by his hair, and looked for an Irish whip, this was reversed and Hampton stepped towards the middle of the ring, and swung an attempted lariat at his opponent. Cheez ducked under the attempt and Hampton turned to face him on the rebound but was met by a cross body. Cheez chose not to cover, but instead went to the top rope and waited for Scott Hampton to get back up, when he did, he took off and hit the Thanks For the Donation [flying cross body]. Cheez made the cover but only got the two.
Cheez brought is opponent to his feet but Hampton cold-cocked him with a European uppercut, Cheez stumbled back and Hampton pounced, flooring him with a gamengiri. Hampton drops to a knee and feels his ribs from the cross body impact, but quickly wanted to take advantage of his fallen opponent. He shifted to the corner and scaled the turnbuckle, he jumped off, looking for the Mosh Pit [coffin drop], but Cheez rolled out of the way! Cheez rolled to the corner and quickly got back to his feet, Hampton was slower to get up and as he did he walked right into a kick in the gut, Cheez hooked him and hit a vertical suplex, however he held onto Hampton and proceeded to complete Like, comment, Subscribe [three amigos]. His confidence flying following the third suplex, Cheez bounced back to his feet and went straight to the top rope, he called for the Chedda Heada [diving headbutt], however as he leapt off it was Hampton’s turn to roll away. Cheez’s head bounced off the mat hard, and Hampton was immediately stalking him, waiting carefully for him to get to his feet. As soon as a groggy Cheez got to a vertical base. Hampton turned him around and hoisted him to his shoulders, making no mistake in drilling him with the Vae Victis [Fireman's Carry dropped into a Roundhouse Kick]. Me made the cover and got the three.
[WINNER: Scott Hampton Via Vae Victis at 04:47]
The Following Footage Was Taken After Supremacy.
A door swings open and the camera man walks through. We see carnage. Chairs are strewn all about and papers lay around the room. We hear screams of anger as we walk into the room and find the back of El Rey.
El Rey: That was my match! ARGH! I should have won.
He kicks the locker in front of him sending his own street clothes flying in the air. He lets out another scream and turns around to see the camera behind him.
El Rey: What do you want? Want to show the brass back in NLW they were right? They want to see I could not finish the job? Huh? Is that what they want? Well what I want is to be left the fuck alone.
Before you can blink El Rey charges and lays out the camera man with a leaping kick. The camera goes flying in the air and lands on the ground to where we can only see the feet of El Rey.
Scorpion: What are you doing? What is wrong with you?
The voice of Scorpion is followed by two more feet and legs.
El Rey: What is wrong with me? I listened to you that is what is wrong with me? Counter-counter wrestling, you are full of shit. I never should have trusted in you.
The legs and feet of Scorpion stumble back and we hear the stomping of feet and slamming of a door as El Rey disappears from the screen.
Live from the office of BB Gunn.
Gunn: What you saw was the actions of a child. While this child is talented and still a valued member of this roster outbursts will not be tolerated. What do you do when a child has outbursts like this? You ground them. With that being said El Rey is banned from the arena tonight. He was not booked, but he will not be allowed in the arena at all. He will also be banned from competing at Masquerade. This will give him time to think about his actions and helpfully grow.
MATCH TWO
Joe Blow vs Tommy Kelly
The build up to this match was simple, but also slightly disgusting. Joe Blow was offering The StormCrow Tommy Kelly an automatic victory…providing he urinated on members of the audience. No, we’re not kidding, go look. Blow seemed to not have been bluffing either, as he walked to the ring he kept telling Kelly that “he knew what he had to do”. Even when the bell rang, Blow just rested in the corner, arms over the ropes and said “well?” to Kelly. When his opponent was obviously hesitant he smiled and reached behind him, a bottle wrapped in a brown paper bag had been wedged into the back of his jeans, and he waved it at Kelly, asking if “he needed some help with the stage fright”. This did bring a wry smile over Kelly’s face, he knew Blow was trying to appeal to his love of alcohol as well as playing to his sense of humour.
After a quick moment of self-deliberation, Kelly approached Blow and asked what was in the bottle, to which Joe simply smirked and told him he’d have to find out for himself. The StormCrow was obviously game to find out and took a large swig, whilst it was extremely likely that this wasn’t anything that any normal human being would drink, it was clearly palatable to Kelly. He smiled, and began to take another swig, prompting Joe to say “there you go, now you know what to do next”. Kelly, mouth still full of this drink, nodded, but instead of heading out the ring he hit Blow with the Irish Kiss [booze spray to the eyes].
Blow dropped to the mat and rolled out the ring, aggravated and trying to wipe the spit/alcohol combination from his eyes and face. Meanwhile, the referee, who had let all this go despite the opening bell being minutes ago, decided to intervene by taking the drink from Kelly, and arranged for it to put on the timekeeper’s table, out of the way. StormCrow wasn’t phased, in fact he was having a good time leant on the ropes, looking down and watching Blow try to compose himself.
Blow’s annoyance was clear, and he approached a nearby camera and told the world that he would “do it himself”. A promise that he’d made in the build up to all of this that he would urinate on members of the public if Tommy Kelly failed to do himself. He looked around for which member or members of the audience he’d like to start with, but his message had also prompted the appearance of General manager B.B. Gunn, who was jogging down with a panicked look his face. He ordered Kelly to stop Blow from these acts. Tommy shrugged at the General Manager and asked why, but soon hot footed him out the ring and after Blow when Gunn told him that NLW would probably be shut down if Joe was allowed to urinate on members of the public. Kelly caught up to Blow as he was straddling the barrier and clubbed him with a forearm to the back of the head, which dropped Joe back to the floor.
The referee was counting by now, but Gunn told him to just let it go, perhaps in the hope to get some form of match, perhaps because he thought Blow may get some comeuppance, only Gunn will know and he wasn’t saying another word, instead he was watching what was going on now like a hawk. Kelly had Joe Blow back on his feet but Irish whipped him towards the steel steps, Blow hit them and flipped over them and onto the floor. Kelly stopped as the referee instructed to get this back in the ring, and he obliged him, walking around to collect the fallen Hobo, but as he attempted to get him up, Joe raked the eyes, causing him to stumble back and allow Joe to exact some revenge, noticing the bottle on the timekeeper’s table only a few feet away, he takes a mouthful and spits it in Kelly’s eyes, causing him more discomfort.
Blow, happy with how this was playing out for him now, put the bottle back on the table (not willing to waste any more, apparently). He grabbed The StormCrow and slammed his head on the ring steps, not once, but twice, before slamming his head on to the ring apron. Finally, and somewhat mercifully, he rolled him back in the ring. He followed suit, rolling back in and sprang to his feet, delivering an elbow drop to the fallen Tommy Kelly, making a cover for a two count. Much like two weeks ago, he was now looking like he was going to put on a show for the General Manager, pointing at him as he dragged Kelly up to his feet by his hair. He sent Kelly to the ropes with an Irish whip, and dropped him with a Lou Thez press, mounting him with punches after landing.
Happy with the seven or eight punches off the Thez press, he climbs off and walks towards the side of the ring where Gunn is and laughs at him. He tells Gunn with glee that he’s “gonna piss on him instead”. Gunn thinks on his feet, and as Joe is unzipping his fly, he makes an offer that he’ll keep him off the Masquerade PPV if he doesn’t. Joe accepts but adds that Gunn “is no fun”. He turns back and Kelly is slow to get back up, Joe raises his arms and tucks his elbows in, ready to hit the No Effort, but Kelly reads it and cold-cocks him with a superman punch. Blow stumbles back and bounces off the ropes, as he comes back Kelly grabs him and delivers Death Becomes You [omega driver], making the cover and getting the win.
[WINNER: Tommy Kelly Via Death Becomes You at 07:54]
We cut to the office of B.B. Gunn, who is sat at his desk, surrounding his desk are Rebecca Brookes,
Gunn: Thanks for coming everybody….wait, Frank, I didn’t ask for you to come here.
FDJ just grunts at the General Manager, who sighs.
Gunn: Okay, well I guess you can stay, in fairness what I have to tell these guys possibly effects you in the longer term. At Masquerade, the four of you,
Frank sneers and stares a hole through
Gunn: Now, you four need to get out of my office, your tag match is up next, try and play nicely.
MATCH THREE
Maze & Mystique vs The Brute Squad
The bell rings as this tag team match gets underway with Mystique and Frank Dylan James starting things off in this match as they both look directly at one another in the eyes, but it’s James who looks to kick things off with the Big Boot which Mystique ducks under and rebounding off of the ropes with the Dropkick right to the shin of the Southern States Champion. The smaller Mystique is creeping around and picking apart the legs of James with kicks and chop blocks, but James grabs hold as she attempts a running attack to higher up on James’ body, being grabbed by the throat and then thrown into the turnbuckles as the large fists of Frank Dylan James come crushing into the ribcage of Mystique before throwing his arm forward with a Corner Lariat. James grabs hold of Mystique and throws her across the ring with the Biel Toss, but as James looks to make a charge for Mystique, he can feel the pain in his right knee as he still reeled in the effects of what transpired at Supremacy. James shakes his right leg and slams his foot down onto the mat to tweak his knee back into shape but that left a wide opening for Mystique, who catches the champion with the Single Leg Facebreaker.
Mystique walks over and tags in Maze, or more so The Prick these days with the new sudden attitude change he’s taken form in, who instantly comes out of the box with a Kitchen Sink knee strike to the head of a kneeling Frank Dylan James. The Prick stares down Gerhard Bishop and crookedly smiles in his direction as he turns back around to grab onto James, whipping him into the corner and landing a knee to the abdomen as he charges in before the fists go flying in from The Prick and he unleashes everything he can against the Southern States Champion but of course, Frank doesn’t take too kindly to those attacks and pushes The Prick away from him all for the Running Boot to the face by the champion. The Prick collapses to the mat after the boot as James shakes some life back into himself but immediately tags in Gerhard Bishop. These two continue to stare down one another with their almost identical physiques, both brutal mentalities, and both had one thing they seek in mind -- the NLW Heavyweight Championship. The Prick laughs in the face of Bishop before spitting in the face of Karl Hagen’s student and performing a Double Leg Takedown against Bishop, slamming him down to the mat and firing off with any punch he could perform.
Bishop is able to push The Prick off but as The Prick manages to get to his feet, he viciously attempts to stomp down onto the head of Bishop just to make sure he stays down, and although one or two cleanly hit, Bishop covers up from the stomps. The Prick grabs the head of Bishop and locks in the Guillotine Chokehold, slowly dragging Bishop up to his feet as he looks to lock the arms into place for the Double Arm DDT but Bishop finds a second wind, pushing The Prick into the corner and constantly slamming his shoulder into The Prick’s stomach and just causing mayhem with the pure raw power being poured out of Bishop with each Forearm Strike being thrown to The Prick. Bishop drags The Prick out of the corner and sends him flying across the ring with a Release German Suplex! The Prick rolls over back onto his knees after the impact of the Release German Suplex and Bishop wastes no time whatsoever, locking the arms of The Prick and almost deadlifting him up to a vertical base and dropping him down onto his head with the Double Underhook Driver! Bishop goes for the cover but Mystique enters the ring and kicks Bishop cleanly in the head with a stiff Punt Kick.
Frank Dylan James comes through the ropes and deadlifts Mystique’s small frame with ease, throwing her over the ropes and down onto the floor with a hard Unprotected Powerbomb to the outside, and now it’s The Brute Squad and The Prick in the ring now, as the newly made team of Bishop and James picks up The Prick is just double-teaming The Prick with a Powerslam by Bishop and both of them just stomping the hell out of the former NLW Heavyweight Champion. The referee tries to give the count to James but the Southern States Champion just throws the referee over the ropes like he’s a sheet of paper blowing in the wind. That’s when all hell breaks loose, and Karl Hagen barks orders at his men to lay in the finishing touches on their opponents, as Bishop picks up The Prick and slams him spine first down onto his knee, and James heads up to the top rope and sees his target-- Mystique thought comes out of nowhere with a Steel Chair and cracks it over the head of the Southern States Champion! He falls down onto the apron and rolls onto the floor and Mystique makes sure that Bishop gets the chair wrapped around his neck with one wild swing down onto the head of Bishop. The Brute Squad have retreated and out of the ring and are making the distance between themselves and a chair swinging Mystique.
James tries his best to get back into the ring, absolutely fucking frustrated with how the match spiraled out of control and not taking too kindly to that chair attack from Mystique. She runs over to them and throws the chair over the ropes and down onto The Brute Squad and with that distraction, she rebounds off of the ropes and comes back with some speed to launch herself over the ropes with a Slingshot Senton onto The Brute Squad, but it didn’t go as planned in her head as they just hold onto her as they laugh at her own silly mistake-- But they don’t see on the top rope! The Prick is standing up there as he comes flying down with Off The Wall [Coffin Drop] right down on all three of them! He’s wiped down all of the competition he’s got ahead of him at Masquerade as he rolls off of them and makes his way up the entrance path, where he turns back around and looks back at a pissed off Karl Hagen, The Prick laughs at Hagen but the crowd cheer loudly as Rebecca Brookes walks through the curtain and is staring down the only man standing from the wreckage. The Prick and Rebecca Brookes continue to stare one another down as we fade into a commercial break.
Marty Watts is in the ring, mic in hand.
Marty Watts: Ladies and gentlemen, this next tag team match scheduled for one fall…
Before Marty can finish, he’s cut off by “Jolene” by The White Stripes. Marty pauses and rolls his eyes, looking to the entry way. Jolene, manager of the New South appears on stage in black slacks and an ivory blouse. She walks down to the ring and grabs the mic from a visibly irritated Marty.
Jolene: You know the drill Martin, out of the ring.
Jolene shoos Marty out of the ring as the crowd boos her. She smiles at them.
Jolene (to the crowd): Please show some respect for the best tag team in NLW. Please shut your mouths and rise to your feet for YOUR NLW tag team champions, Beau Traywick and Waylon Kirk, the New South!
The crowd’s boos get even louder and some audience members are clearly confused.
Tommy West: Tag team champions?
Dan Simmons: What in the hell is she talking about?
The lights dim in the arena and all attention goes to the Jumbotron. The screen shows an empty room with just a stool under a swinging lightbulb. Footsteps are heard as an old man walks to the stool and sits down, pulling a harmonica from his shirt pocket. He begins to play a solo which quickly morphs in to The New South’s theme.
On the stage, the lights slowly come up as The New South strolls through the curtains wearing replica NLW Heavyweight Titles that have duct tape on them with TAG TEAM written in black marker. Beau & Waylon pose for a moment, proudly patting the titles around their waists, while sparks rain down above them before they begin to swagger down the ramp towards the ring. Once they have reached the ring, The New South climb the steel steps and enter the ring, throwing their arms up and circling the ring for the crowd who continue to boo. Jolene stands in the middle of the ring while both men climb to the top of the turnbuckles, holding the fake NLW tag team titles high above them.
MATCH FOUR
The Academy vs The New South
The NLW Heavyweight Champion, Leon Chant, and Waylon Kirk started in the ring. Richards and Chant were in discussion about who would start, but both members of The New South were once again pretty vocal about wanting to get their hands on the champion. Leon looked to the outside where Rob Arnold gave him an approving nod to go ahead. Chant looked for the lock-up but Kirk got in ahead with a boot to the gut and an axe handle smash on his back. Kirk attempted an Irish whip but Chant reversed and floored the oncoming Kirk with a shoulder block. Chant himself went to the ropes and Kirk kipped-up, looking for a hip toss, but Chant blocked and placed a hard right hand to his midsection, allowing him to hook him and hit a vertical suplex. The champion smirked as Kirk backed into the corner and tagged in Beau Traywick. Chant simply offered a “come on then” gesture to the second member of The New South.
Traywick, in his first match in NLW, sized the champion up for a moment but his confidence to take him on was not faltered. Chant once again offered a lock-up, Traywick ducked under and applied a waist lock, Chant attempted to elbow his way out but Beau was wise to it, ducking the shots. He attempted to lift Leon and indeed got him off the ground, but Chant soon grounded his weight and grabbed Traywick’s hands, forcing his hold apart. Chant spun around and was met by a flurry of hard rights from his opponent. Trewick backed Chant up to the ropes and attempted an Irish whip, Chant reversed and as Traywick came back, he exploded with a huge discus lariat. Chant roared to the crowd, happy with his display of power, and the crowd was loving it. Chant grabbed the fallen Traywick and dragged him to his corner, tagging Richards in. Richards immediately climbed to the top rope and Chant hoisted him up in the air for a vertical suplex, and as his body was up in the air, Richards took flight, connecting a missile dropkick to the gut which assisted the completion of the suplex.
Richards made a cover but got a quick two count, this didn’t slow the youngster down, he was quick to keep the pressure on, bringing Traywick up and connecting with a snap suplex. Not done there, Richards connected with a standing moonsault and a second cover, which again only got him a quick two. Richards brought Beau to his feet and whipped him to a neutral corner, charging at him but Beau got his feet up, Richards’ face bounces back and causing him to stumble to the middle of the ring. He turned back towards Traywick who ran at him and hit him with a shotgun dropkick. Traywick’s eyes were full of aggression, and he grabbed Richards by the neck and threw him to his corner, placing a number of boots to his midsection before tagging Kirk back in. The two stay in and grabbed Riley, before slamming him with the Bourbon Sunrise [Double Tequilla Sunrise]. Kirk covered and got a two count.
Kirk got back to his feet and taunted Chant in the opposite corner, who at this point was watching carefully, a mix of intensity and concern. Kirk dragged Richards up and hit a brainbuster to keep the high flyer grounded. The New South then started to show off their chemistry, making a tag and delivering a leg drop, a tag, an elbow drop, a tag, an assisted splash, and a final tag where Kirk dropped an elbow off the top rope to Richards and covered him for a two count.
Rob Arnold was beginning to pace at ringside, aware of the danger his charge was in. Kirk didn’t seem to care, and once again dragged Richards to his feet and whipped him into the ropes, he went for a body drop, looking to send Richards over the top rope to the floor, Richards managed to land on the apron and Kirk turned into a forearm which had him stumbling. Riley looked to springboard back in but was grounded as Jolene was grabbing his foot, he shook her off but this allowed Kirk to smash a flying forearm into him, sending him crashing to the floor. Rob Arnold was straight around as Beau Traywick looked to get involved, Arnold stood in between Richards and the pair of Beau and Jolene, who slowly backed off. Rob turned to find Kirk was out and in his face, telling him to back off. Arnold flashed a smirk and gestured that he should just get on with the match. Kirk said nothing but grabbed Richards and rolled him back in the ring. He slid back in after him and stalked the Bristolian as he stumbled back to his feet. Kirk turned Richards around and set him up for an Alabama Slam, but Richards slipped out into a sunset flip pin, Kirk quickly kicked out before even a one count and both men quickly scrambled to their feet, Kirk went for a clothesline, Richards ducked and Kirk turned into a Pele kick! Both men were down, Richards was looking at his corner and Leon Chant was leaning over the top rope as much as he was legally allowed to accept the tag. Kirk, having not taken so much damage, was on his feet, and with Riley crawling to the corner, he grabbed his foot to stop him from getting any further. Richards balanced into a standing position, and so to face Waylon Kirk, who tried to flip Richards onto his back, but the young Brit backflipped, landing on his feet and before Kirk could reply, Richards hit a superkick than rocked him back across the ring.
Richards took a deep breath, and dived for a tag to his partner, Leon Chant was back in! Kirk’s momentum had taken him towards his corner and he tagged his partner, Beau Traywick back in. Traywick charged towards Chant but was met by a big clothesline, he got back up to only be downed in the same manner. Kirk ran back into the action but received an overhead belly to belly suplex for his troubles. Traywick, stunned from the shots was now back up but was quickly on Chant’s shoulder, and he dropped him with a Running Powerslam. The NLW Heavyweight champion was taking out anything that moved!
Leon Chant picks Traywick back up to his feet and points right over to Richards, throwing Traywick over to Richards a Superkick right to the jaw of his opponent, Traywick turns from the impact of the kick and is met with the Discus Lariat of Leon Chant folding him in half. Kirk hopped back onto the apron but a Gamengiri was met for his troubles as Riley is lead onto the middle rope as Chant has a hold of Traywick’s wrist. The champion brings Traywick to his feet and pulls him in by the arm going for the Pop Up Powerbomb and Riley comes off the middle rope with the European Uppercut - Final Lesson [European Powerbomb] by The Academy as Chant hooks the legs for the three count and leading them to a victory.
[WINNER: The Academy via Final Lesson at 14:12]
After Chant and Richards leave the ring, The New South gather themselves in the middle of the ring and are frustrated with the bad start they’ve been put on since their debut, even more frustrated with the team loss they’ve suffered. Jolene enters the ring with a microphone in her hand and hands it to Waylon Kirk.
Waylon Kirk: I’ve fucking sick and tired of being messed around like this as if we’re the jokes around here, because we’re the ones being mistreated and all of you fat fuckers are being manipulated to know what’s going on here. How long was both Riley and Leon in this ring for? Way longer than five seconds, LIKE THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN, but that doesn’t matter to any of you now, does it?
Traywick swipes the microphone out of Kirk’s hand as he drops down onto one knee.
Beau Traywick: Unfair competition is all we’re able to get when it comes to Next Level Wrestling, unfair competition that doesn’t abide by the damn rules placed- is it because when you’re the Heavyweight Champion, you get the special rub? Nah, that kind of shit isn’t right. Based on that result, we STILL remain the NLW Tag Team Champions and we’ll CONTINUE to be as such.
Traywick then throws the microphone back over to Kirk.
Waylon Kirk: So what we’re going to do is find ourselves a suitable opponent, one that’ll not come near to breaking the rules, one that’ll know exactly what they’re doing, hell- we’re calling out anyone in the entire XHF Global Tag Team Division itself! Come show up at Masquerade and fight us because we’re not cowards, we’re the fucking New South - the NLW Tag Team Champions - and we’re going to put everyone on notice when we soon come for the XHF Tag Team Championships--
Kirk is suddenly interrupted by the lights being cut from the Avron B Fogelman Arena, and through the darkness, the crowd can only hear the sounds of the opening synth beats to-
Dan Simmons: WAIT WHAT!?
Tommy West: OH MY GOD! YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS RIGHT NOW!
-and that’s when the lights come back to life, and “Kingslayer” rips through the PA System, the fans within the arena rain down with cheers with the lights shining down now with a purple hue and the one singular white spotlight continuing to shine down onto the entrance curtain. Soon, the entrance curtain pulls back, and out steps Jason Long- a smile on his face as he soaks in that crowd reaction. Jason makes his way down to the ringside area and looks inside the ring, staring down The New South with a shit-eating grin written all over his face as he pops up to the ring apron and heads through the middle ropes, continuing to look at both members of The New South as a ringside crew member hands Jason a microphone and the music fades away.
Jason Long: Well then gentlemen, I just so happen to be backstage talking to one of my students when I hear you two out here rambling on about being mistreated and talking about the rules being broken every time you’re in this ring. I get that, I understand where you’re coming from, and I could totally see where your argument stands. Then I hear you saying that you’re going to put people on notice… and that you’re coming for the XHF Tag Team Championships, but the way I see it, it’s going to be a hell of a long time before any of you come near those titles.
Jason looked to the two men again and scratched the side of his head.
Jason Long: Heavily doubting that for a second there, because judging by how you looked out here against The Academy, I don’t think you’d be ready for anything like that. I don’t think you’d come anywhere as close as being a “threat” to any team but I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt. If you want a global team, then I can get you a global team. At Masquerade, you want a Tag Team match? Then I’ll give you a fucking Tag Team match. The New South of Beau Traywick and Waylon Kirk taking on the team of myself, Jason Long… and James Raymond -- The New Age Killers!
The crowd exploded with cheers!
Jason Long: Believe me, gents, this will be the worst fucking decision either of you have made. Because the NAK are going to make quick work of you two, we’re going to wipe the damn floor with you two, and why would that be?
The King gets up close to Traywick’s face.
Jason Long: BECAUSE IT’S THE NAK TIL FUCKING DEATH, CUNT--
Kirk pounces on Jason and that’s when The New South begin their beat down on the former X*Crown Champion, kicking the living shit out of him like a damn mugging. Kirk picks up Jason into the Piledriver position as Traywick takes a few steps back and lands a Superkick to the head of Jason and the New South complete the Big, Bad and Quick [Superkick/Piledriver Combination] as Kirk drops Jason right down on the point of his head. The New South stands tall over the self-proclaimed King of Professional Wrestling as Kirk presses his foot down onto the head of Jason before they all exit the ring and head to the back.
MAIN EVENT - MATCH FIVE
Number One Contenders Match - Southern States Title
Joshua Darkwood vs Nathan Parker
Darkwood started by looking for a lockup but Parker ducked under, and immediately began firing kicks at his opponent’s knees. He manages to get Darkwood down to one knee before going and bouncing off the ropes, he attempted a clothesline but Joshua rolled forward, ducking under the attempt. Darkwood got up in one fluid movement as Parker bounced off the ropes again, he attempted a clothesline himself but Parker ducked it, as they returned off the ropes once more, Parker caught Darkwood with a sling blade. He then hurriedly got to his feet and ran to the ropes, coming back and looking for a diving elbow drop only for Darkwood to roll away. Parker rolled across the mat and this allowed Darkwood to get to his feet and go after his opponent, putting stomps on his midsection.
Darkwood reached down and lifted Parker up, putting him in a waist lock he lifted the smaller man and launched him across the ring with a release German suplex. Not willing to let up, he was back up and after Parker and lifted him once more in a waist lock once again launched him with another release German suplex. He made a cover but got Parker kicked out after two. Darkwood got up and stomped Parker some more before once again putting him in a third waist lock, delivering another German suplex. Darkwood was fired up and roared to the audience, who gave him their support in return.
Darkwood brought Parker to his feet, and whipped him as hard as he could into the corner. He charged after his opponent and nailed him with a clothesline. He didn’t let up, wrapping his arm around Parker’s head and dropping him with a bulldog. With Parker clearly dazed he held his position and locked in The Howling [crossface]! The referee was down on his knees asking Natty by Nature if he wanted to submit, but Parker ignored him in favour of dragging himself and Darkwood toward the ropes, quickly grabbing the bottom rope. He finally gets close enough and snatches onto the bottom rope to break the hold.
Darkwood got to his feet, and waited for Parker to get up. As he does Darkwood charged at him. looking for a big boot, but Parker ducked and pulled the top rope down, causing the Dark Wolf to get hung up and flip over to the outside. Parker sensed this was the time to get back in control, and as Darkwood carefully got back to his feet, he came off the ropes and flew to the outside, connecting with WTF [suicide dive over the top rope] and sending Darkwood crashing back to the floor.
As Darkwood got back to his feet, he turned to find that not only was Parker already up, but he kicked him ion the gut and hit a DDT to being him straight back to the floor. Parker quickly then pulled Darkwood up and rolled him under the bottom rope and into the ring. He followed suit and made a cover, but would only get a two count. Parker looked a little surprise but is quick to get back on his feet. With Darkwood slowly getting onto one knee, Parker planted a kick to his chest, Darkwood remained on one knee, so Parker went to the ropes, and this time hit a running boot to Darkwood’s face, crumbling him back to the mat. He made another cover, but again only got a two count.
After the kick out, parker sat up, holding up two fingers to the referee and confirming the count which generated a frown in frustration whilst getting to his feet. He lifts Darkwood up and nailed him with a scoop slam. Darkwood his the mat and sat up, holding his back, which made Parker look to place him in the Naptime sleeper hold, but Darkwood fought out of it with an elbow to the face. Both men scrambled to their feet but Nathan Parker’s the one a touch quicker, and he hit Darkwood with a standing dropkick before his opponent can get some offense of his own in.
Darkwood was knocked back and leant on the middle rope, Parker got back to his feet and hurried over and began to work Joshua over with rights and lefts to the midsection. Darkwood shoved Parker away as a basic, yet effective form of defence that allowed him back to his feet. Parker came charging back with a superman punch but Darkwood evaded and Parker turned around into a discus lariat that turned him inside out!
Parker grabbed his neck in pain and rolled out of the ring. Darkwood followed him out and began nailing Parker with rights that forces Parker to stumble away towards the announce table. Darkwood followed up with a shoulder tackle that bounces Parker onto the announce table. With the count now up to five from the referee, Darkwood smartly rolled in and out to break the count, before returning to the prone Parker. He clubs on his chest a couple times before deciding the best course of action would be to bring him back in the ring, so he dragged him off the table and flung him under the bottom rope, climbing in after him.
Darkwood looks once again for The Howling, but before he can lock it in parker instinctively grabs the bottom rope. Frustrated, Darkwood went to town on his opponent with big forearm shivers. He stands and drags Parker with him with him, before hoisting him up on his shoulder and planting him with a powerslam. He pinned him but a long two count is all he got,with parker managing to roll a shoulder up off the mat. Darkwood climbs to his feet and asks the referee why that wasn’t three, clearly thinking the count may have been on the slow side. This allows parker some recovery time, and he sneaks up behind the Dark Wolf, and rolled him up with a schoolboy pin, aware of his positioning, he also leveraged the pin by placing his feet on the ropes. The referee, whilst unsighted, only got to two before Darkwood kicked out.
This time it was Parker’s turn to remonstrate with the referee, and it was Darkwood’s chance to surprise his opponent, turning him around and hitting the Wolfs-bane [diamond cutter]. He made the cover and everybody in the arena thought that was Darkwood punching his ticket to Masquerade, but the referee stopped his count at two, as Parker had placed a foot on the rope! Darkwood was incensed, having almost been cheated from Parker’s roll up to this, he was on his face and tried to explain this to the referee, who wasn’t that sympathetic, and reminded him that he could only call what he sees. Darkwood slowly calmed down, and finally let out a large exhale, he turned and starter to drag parker to his feet, but Parker dropped him with a codebreaker. Sensing it may be now or never, he went to the top rope and hit Shotgun [flying elbow], making the cover….and despite Darkwood kicking out, he was a fraction too late, the referee had already counted the three!
[WINNER: Nathan Parker Via Shotgun at 18:11]
“In Over My Head” by grandson plays through the speakers as the General Manager of NLW - BB Gunn - heads out from the ring curtain with a smile on his face as he makes his way down to the ring. He steps up onto the ring apron and brushes his feet along the apron before entering through the middle ropes, where he’s met with the sight of a fifteen foot ladder standing in the center of the ring.
Gunn: Ladies and gentlemen, it’s that time of the year again where we’re going to ask the challengers heading into the next pay-per-view to come on out here and speak their mind before the show itself. Since our first pay-per-view, we’ve had so much happen, including a brand new NLW Heavyweight Champion but to those competing in Masquerade’s main event, that doesn’t matter because what you’ll see in this ring soon is three hungry competitors just waiting for their moment in the spotlight, waiting for their moment to shine. So let’s not waste anymore time for them, please welcome first to the ring, the woman who walked out of Supremacy with Hyperion’s trident… ELI DRESDEN!!
The chorus of 'Never Look Back' hits the sound system as the overhead lights dim, the crowd hitting their feet for the woman who is about to emerge. Blue and white lights flashing along the rampway as spotlights of similar shades swirl over the crowd... and Eliza Dresden doesn't make them wait for long. Bounding out from behind the curtain, the new bearer of Hyperion's trident is quick to make her way to the top of the ramp--and once she's there? She thrusts the trident into the air, earning a fresh wave of cheers. Of course, since she can't be idle for long, Eli is quick to bounce and poing her way down to the ring, darting from side to side to slap offered hands and otherwise play to the crowd. It's a bit trickier to do with a trident that's significantly taller than she is, but she makes it work. It's about three-fourths of the way down the ramp that she abandons that, speeding up to slide into the ring headfirst on her stomach before she twists onto her back and kips up to her feet. She's quick to mount the nearest turnbuckle, once again shoving that trident skyward to more of that positive reaction from the fans before she's popping back down and turning to look toward the middle of the ring.
Gunn: Someone I’d consider to be a wildcard in this whole thing, but nonetheless, please help me welcoming the next person in this match… “Big Tiger” TAKUMA OKAZAKI!
"Open up my eyes...RELEASE ME!"
The hard riffs of "Born To Die" by Sevendust roar over the speakers, bringing to the stage the muscular form of "Big Tiger" Takuma Okazaki, determination etched into his face as he rolls his shoulders, cracking his neck a couple times before beginning to make his way down to the ring. He merely gives nods of acknowledgment to the fans before making his way up the steel steps and entering the ring. He leans against the ropes for a moment, testing them before jogging across to the other side and throwing an arm up into the air with what almost sounds like a roar, readying for battle. Backing off into his corner, he drapes his arms atop the ropes, waiting for what is to come.
Gunn: Fierce and fearless, something I like to see in a competitor. And to round out the trio of challengers, please welcome… AL JABRONI!
“Pretty Fly For A White Guy” hits the speakers as Al Jabroni walks out to the ring, but seemingly not focused on the task at hand with what’s in the ring, otherwise focused on slipping on a plain white shirt that reads “THIS ONE’S FOR YOU, SCREECH!” written in black Sharpie. Jabroni enters the ring and nods at Gunn as he heads into his corner.
Gunn: I called Eli a wildcard but if anyone can fight for that position in this match, it would have to be Jabroni. But that’s our challengers, and we’re missing one man, so please welcome the NLW Heavyweight Champion… “The Hired Gun” LEON CHAAAAAANTTT!!
“OH HELL YES!”
Leon Chant marches out onto the stage as "West Coast Smoker" plays on the PA. He takes a brief moment to look around before heading to the ring, despite the cheers, his face is all business as he walks up the ring steps and through the second rope into the ring. He heads to the far corner and climbs to the second rope to slowly raise both arms aloft, prompting more cheers from the crowd. Slowly, he hops back down and heads to his corner, taking the NLW Heavyweight Championship from around his waist and placing it on his shoulders.
Gunn: Now, I’m sure we’re all aware of what’s standing in the middle of the ring here and we’re aware of what will be taking place at Masquerade. I asked all four of you to come out here and throw a debate, say your final words- however you’d like- as to why you would be the next NLW Heavyweight Champion, let’s start off with you Al!
Gunn then hands the microphone in his hand to Jabroni.
Jabroni: Look, it's simple - I deserve the title because when I win, you...
He motions to the crowd and the camera.
Jabroni: ... you all win with me. This is for the guys who were picked on in High School, the people who were told they'd never amount to anything and that they should be happy with whatever life brings them! How do you relate to Leon Chant? He's the kid that took our lunch money, the kid that put us in lockers for daring to talk to a cheerleader! More importantly, I haven't got a wompound named after my spotty record! You could always decide to back Dresden, she's better in the ring than me but she's just the smart-ass friend of the Leon Chants of the world. You want to give people like them another victory in life
He tries to raise the emotional connect with his hand gestures.
Jabroni: Likewise, Big Tiger, if we've found the 'Alphas' of High School then Tiger is the kid angry at everyone for no reason. How many jerks do you run into everyday? How many times do you leave and wish success on them? Then why is now any different? I need your support for this match because I didn't get a silver spoon in my mouth for a wrestling education like Leon did, I didn't get blessed with talent or skills or money or determination like the other two. But, I always entertain you, I always surprise you and at Masquerade I want to honor you with a big win that will be as much your success as mine!
Jabroni then hands the microphone to Gunn, who’s somewhat impressed with Jabroni’s figure of speech.
Gunn: Well, uhm, I must say I am impressed with those choice of words. Wow. Anyway, let’s take it over now to Eli, how do you feel heading into this match?
If Eli rolls her eyes any harder, then they're bound to roll out of her head. Fingers idly drum along the shaft of the trident at her side as she brings the mic to her lips.
Dresden: Y'know, it'd be nice if I could have the confidence of a mediocre white man like you, Jabroni--not to mention the tunnel vision. Of course it's the white cisgender man that represents the people at home, right? Shit, Al. I thought we were cool, but you wanna play that game? Kay, we can play that game because nobody gets to paint Eli into a corner just because it fits their narrative. Being a film buff's one of the many hats you like to wear, but this ain't the Breakfast Club and you ain't John Bender. There's not gonna be a freezeframe of you holdin' the NLW Heavyweight Championship over your head to at the end of Masquerade, either. Know why? Because the belt bein' held by Chocolate Thunder there--
Dresden points at the belt as she looks over at Leon Chant and is it just the viewer at home, or is she dropping a wink and mouthing 'Call me.' at the champ? Probably. Someone please get this woman--oh good, she's remembered she has a mic in her hand.
Dresden: --deserves to be held and defended by the woman who has defied odds that no one else in this ring has ever even dreamt of having to face down. So what if I'm not a heavyweight? Not being a powerhouse didn't stop me from beating a self-proclaimed god and four other men in order to win this trident, here. While I'm sure y'ins all have your own points to prove, the fact remains that NLW's future doesn't belong to Al, or Takuma, or even Leon. No, it belongs to me. And while I know I'm the newest gun in town, I also know I've kept every single promise I've made to succeed. And considering how I'm more determined than ever to ensure that my will becomes a reality...
Eli's standing tall--well, as tall as she can--as she glares down her opponents.
Dresden: Do any of you really think you're gonna stop me?
Gunn has that look on his face as he knows that shit just got real, like you know, that “whew” kind of look.
Gunn: Good god, things are getting fiery up in here. Now, to--
Takuma takes the microphone out of Gunn’s hand as he brings it closer to his mouth.
Okazaki: Going to make this as simple as possible for you all to understand. I’m not about cutting cheesy promos nor am I about caring if others win along with me, I care about myself and that’s it. Chant, I’m taking your title. Jabronit, I’m dropping you on your head. Dresden, I’m breaking your Trident over your head. It’s clear to me, there’s only one person that’s the rightful champion, and that belongs to me. I’ll walk out the champion and will either or any of you care to stop me on that journey?
Okazaki throws the microphone back over to Gunn, who doesn’t even get the chance to make any suggestions as Chant gestures for the microphone to be given, which it does. Chant takes a moment to stare at each of his opponents, he sizes each one up and down carefully, before breaking out a beaming smile.
Chant: Well look at us, quite a rogues gallery is it not? Big Tiger looks ready to play the strong man at the circus, Al Jabroni looks like he’s taken a wrong turn off the set of Jay and Silent Bob, somebody’s missing a stunt double, and then there’s you, Eli…light and bubbly but oh boy, you give me all the vibes of a black widow.
Chant’s smile doesn’t waver.
Chant: Listen, nobody wants to say it but I’ll do it anyway, none of us want to be here doing this. We all want time to fast forward two weeks so we can fight for this.
He taps the Heavyweight Title that is strapped around his waist.
Chant: And that’s okay, standing here together doesn’t give us any advantage, not when it comes down to it. No, in two weeks we’ll be all scrambling up ladders, putting our bodies at risk even more than we normally do and why? Because this title matters. We all came to NLW to win this, and if you deny it you’re either lying to yourself or you have no ambition and honestly do not deserve to be here.
His demeanour has started to shift from bubbly to deadly serious.
Chant: You all talk a great game, but now you need to listen carefully. In two weeks, you will try and reach for this title, my title, you may get your fingers on it, but you won’t get any closer than that. As long as there is air in my lungs I’m going to do everything to keep this title around my waist, so enjoy this moment, enjoy every single moment of being able to say you’re challenging for the NLW Heavyweight Title, because in two weeks I’ll make it go away and you’re gonna have to get back in line to try again.
Leon reaches behind his back and undoes the belt to hold it high in the air.
Chant: Try as you all might, at Masquerade this is what you’ll see, sat atop a ladder, and all you’re gonna hear are three simple words. Oh. Hell. Yes.
Chant then raises the title over his head but Okazaki then pounces on the champion, taking the fight to the champion and beating him down in the corner, that’s when Dresden and Jabroni get involved trying to pull the two men apart as Gunn swiftly exits the ring before the pandemonium begins to go array. Okaaki drops Jabroni down the mat with a backfist and looks to do the same with Dresden but she ducks the arm and catches Okazaki with a Roundhouse Kick to the side of the head that leaves him falling out of the ring through the ropes. Chant shakes off the attack as Eli picks up the NLW Heavyweight Championship with the intent of handing it over to Chant but in the champion’s eyes, he sees a threat- spinning around and catching Dresden with the Discus Lariat. Knocking Eli down to the mat and knocking the championship out of her hands. Chant picks up his championship as he looks to scale the ladder but before he even does, he looks up to the top rope in the corner-- CATCH 22 [Flying Hurricanrana] BY JABRONI TAKES THE CHAMPION OFF OF HIS FEET AND OUT OF THE RING! The crowd can’t believe what they’re seeing in front of their eyes, as Jabroni reaches down and picks up the championship before making the climb up the fifteen foot ladder. With the championship above his head, and himself almost falling off of the ladder on numerous occasions, Al Jabroni stands tall above them all at the top of the ladder as the feed fades to black.
