NLW Ascendancy XIII | Saturday, April 17th, 2021 | LIVE
Apr 4, 2021 16:56:40 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 2 more like this
Post by Kris on Apr 4, 2021 16:56:40 GMT -5
Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDENCY XIII
LIVE from the Avron B Fogelman Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, April 17th, 2021
"Obey" by Bring Me The Horizon and YUNGBLUD echoes throughout the arena as the fans cheer loudly, clearly eager for the show to begin. The camera pans over the assembled crowd, signs declaring support for their favorites quickly being shown before it cuts to the announce team of Dan Simmons and Tommy West. Upon noticing the camera, both men smile before getting to work.
Dan Simmons: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to another action-packed episode of Ascendancy! I'm Dan Simmons, and joining me is Tommy West.
Tommy West: We've got a loaded card for you folks tonight, starting with Joshua Darkwood getting his chance to take Graham Baker to task for his appalling actions during the six-man tag on the last episode of Ascendancy... and ending with a collision of two of NLW's finest with the NLW Heavyweight Championship on the line as Leon Chant defends against Eli Dresden!
Dan Simmons: What began as a single brief and playful interaction has turned into one of the most intense rivalries we've ever seen since NLW opened its doors, and I can't wait to see if David--er, Eli can overcome the goliath!
Tommy West: Also in our future is a fatal fourway between SHIVANI, Kai D Oh, Nate Pierce, and Rebecca Brookes. While there's no known title implications for the winner, one has to know that BB Gunn is gonna be watching that one closely!
Dan Simmons: We also can't forget how Finn Whelan has one Hell of an opportunity to make an impact as he goes up one-on-one against El Rey! Finn's reputation elsewhere certainly precedes him, but El Rey's not about to go down without a fight. By hook or by crook, El Rey will do all he can to win!
Tommy West: Speaking of crooks... we can't overlook what might just be the most volatile match on the card. The Goons and the New South have bad blood boiling between them already, and adding the team of Nathan Parker and Michael Dundee to the mix is surely more than enough to cause an explosion!
Dan Simmons: You're right on that one, Tommy. Now I don't know about you, but I think it's time to get this show underway.
Tommy West: Let's get to the action in the ring, ladies and gentlemen!
MATCH ONE
Graham Baker vs Joshua Darkwood
Joshua Darkwood has made his disgust for Graham Baker's actions at the last episode of Ascendancy well known in the promotional video he released. When the bell rings, the Dark Wolf is quick to back up his words, the larger man rushing the Corsair King with clubbing blows. At first, Baker does a good job of covering up, but a particularly vicious bodyblow makes it past his guard to knock the air out of him--and from there? Darkwood is able to drive him back into the nearest corner, the crowd cheering on the display of karma given physical form... and once Baker was where he wanted him? Those cheers grew all the louder as fists are replaced with knee strikes, the Pack Attack connecting over and over and over again until the referee forces the break. Baker's unsteady on his feet as he makes his way toward the middle of the ring, CACZilla trying to rid himself of the cobwebs. Unfortunately for him, the Dark Wolf is surging forward the second the referee lets him go, a Pounce taking him to the mat with the force of that leaping knee strike!
While the pinfall attempt that follows only gets a barely-two count, it's clear that the offensive tide is decidedly in Darkwood's favor, something that remains true thanks to how persistent Joshua is in keeping the pressure on Graham. In spite of the onslaught, though, the Guillotine is never down for long--as a matter of fact, in hindsight, it becomes clear that Baker is absorbing the punishment and biding his time, waiting for the opening he needs with a shrewdness that belies his rough-around-the-edges style. The opportunity comes when Darkwood goes for the Wolfs-bane. When Joshua goes to cinch Graham's head, Baker suddenly comes to life, twisting his body and hooking one of Joshua's arms to drag him in, lifting the Dark Wolf up and throwing him face-first into the Tokyo Sunrise! It's the Corsair King's turn to get the near-fall, the crowd's mixed reaction leaning heavily toward jeers with the odd cheer sprinkled in as he gets the two-count.
Now that Baker's gotten the upper hand, it becomes clear very quickly that he has no intention of giving it up. There's a fiery exchange of kicks and blows from both men, but it inevitably goes in Baker's favor when his Kyoto Farewell connects, some jaw-jacking joining it about how that is how a high knee strike is done as it brings Darkwood to his knees. Unfortunately for Graham, however, that bit of taunting doesn't go unanswered as Joshua rises up with a short-armed clothesline that knocks Graham right on his ass. That sort of give-and-take continues for a time, the crowd getting behind both competitors ultimately as they lay into one another before CACZilla creates an opportunity to bring the match to an end when he allows the Dark Wolf's to send him into the ropes. When Baker rebounds off the ropes, he ducks under the attempted clothesline before coming back and catching Darkwood with a running pumping bomber lariat, the Half Life Bomber connecting with authority! It's academic from there, Baker getting the three-count as the crowd jeers and Kate Austin glowers at what transpired from the outside.
[WINNER: Graham Baker Via Half Life Bomber at 09:27]
We cut to the office of BB Gunn, where the NLW General Manager is looking agitated, he checks his watch and sighs. Soon after the door opens and we see The StormCrow, Tommy Kelly come bumbling in. He holds up an apologetic hand at Gunn, who seems unimpressed.
Kelly: Ah, sorry I’m late boss!
Gunn: You know what, I’m in a good mood tonight, Joe Blow isn’t in the building…as far as I know, so you being late is probably the worst thing I’ll have to deal with, I can handle that.
He chuckles.
Brookes: So, tell us, what have you brought us here for? I'm sure there's a good valid reason as to why.
The camera pans and we see that also waiting for Tommy Kelly to have arrived is Rebecca Brookes and Big Bone, who is flanked by Mono Despiadado.
Gunn: A fair point, Ms Brookes. As all three of you know, in two weeks we have Open Fight Night, but none of you will be making, nor accepting challenges. All three of you will be facing each other in the main event, it’ll be a triple threat match and the winner will challenge either Leon Chant or Eli Dresden at Hostile Intent for the NLW Heavyweight Championship.
All three take a moment to size each other up.
Bone: Mis compañeros luchadores, Big Bone respects your abilities, but I am seguro I will finally claim my chance to seize the Campeonato Mundial de Peso Pesado.
Gunn: Well, Senor Bone, whilst I admire your confidence and desire, be aware that whoever does go on to Hostile Intent will be challenging in a steel cage match.
Again, all three take a moment to soak that in. Rebecca Brookes is the one to break the silence.
Brookes: I said this weeks ago, and I'll say it again, I will become a champion here in Next Level Wrestling. I've fought people in Ladder Matches, won titles in said matches, and I'm not afraid of any Steel Cage if there'll be one. At the end of the day, I will be holding two championships in both hands and claiming my stake on the whole world as to who I am.
Kelly: Steady on, lass!
Brookes simply smiles, and strides past The StormCrow. Kelly allows her past, and glanced back at Big Bone, giving him a respectful nod before taking his leave as well. Big Bone looks down at his little blue monkey demon friend, who seems rather excited for the Esqueleto de Gran Fiesta.
Big Bone: Come mi pequeño amigo malvado azul, we must prepare!
Big Bone and Mono Despiadado leave as well, leaving a smiling BB Gunn to think about his next bit of business, and we cut back to ringside.
MATCH TWO
SHIVANI vs Rebecca Brookes vs Kai D Oh vs Nate Pierce
The moment the bell rings, all Hell breaks loose.
Such isn't a surprise, really--when there are four wrestlers in the ring that all have something to prove and an impression they're desperate to make, sense and strategy going out the window is to be expected. Both women rush Kai to start, and just as Kai roars and shoves them off, Pierce rushes in and blasts Kai with a big lariat that sends Kai reeling into the ropes. The two monsters start slugging it out, and when SHIVANI tries to take advantage of the distraction and lock Brookes in a Full Nelson, Brookes struggles for a moment before backing SHIVANI into the turnbuckles to break the grip! Brookes wheels around as soon as she's free and starts unloading with strikes in the corner. Her flurry is cut short when Kai, who had gotten the upper hand in the slugfest, roars and whips Pierce toward their corner. She manages to duck out of the way, but SHIVANI gets sandwiched against the buckles! She drops to the mat, wind driven from her lungs, rolling away as Pierce staggers forward into Kai charging toward him, blasting him back into the corner with a huge shoulder thrust. Kai sets to work with a flurry of shoulder thrusts, finishing with a particularly stiff one that bounces Pierce out of the corner enough for Kai to pick him up with a bit of strain and drive him down in the center of the ring with his patented Running Powerslam!
Kai stands and pounds his chest, looking for a challenger, and he sees Brookes standing ready. He charges with a smirk, but Brookes dodges his haymaker before setting to work with low kicks and body shots, peppering the massive man until he shoves her away roughly. Brookes reels back as SHIVANI, who has recovered a bit, spots Pierce downed on the canvas. She rushes over and lifts Pierce up off the canvas enough to jam her knee into his back as she pulls back on a rear chinlock. The pain is obvious on his face, but it doesn't take him long to power out of the hold, and as SHIVANI attempts to rush in to keep the pressure on, she gets caught in a Bear Hug as Pierce lifts her, walks forward a little, then heaves her over his head in a huge Belly-to-Belly suplex that shakes the ring. The pinfall attempt that Pierce makes is quickly broken up by Kai bodily hurling Brookes onto the other pair, the crowd jeering as the Dragon God lets out a roar praising himself for his creative brutality! Since Kai didn't go for the pinfall, however, that display of hubris backfires in spectacular fashion as all three of the other competitors regain their footing... and they're all glaring daggers at the monster of a man. The fans roar their approval as Kai gets assaulted from all sides, a temporary alliance forming to bring the big man down. A bit of nonverbal discussion leads to Brookes hitting a Cyclone Mafia Kick to Kai as high as she can, which is enough to push him back into Pierce's grip, who grabs him for the Deep Sea Plunge. But rather than sitout as normal, he holds Kai up long enough for SHIVANI to leap up, pulling him down in the biggest Born Again of her life!
Brookes keeps after Kai, lifting up what might as well be tree trunk legs, but in the moment of shared success, Pierce lets his guard down and SHIVANI capitalizes! It's difficult for her to get enough leverage on a double chickenwing to turn Pierce over, but she eventually does. As she's winding up her Spinning Impaler, Brookes hooks Kai's legs with supreme effort, getting him in position before dropping back in the Inverted Figure Four Leglock. SHIVANI whips around and plants Pierce, Getting Away With Murder, and flips him over on his back as fast as she can, but he's a big man, and every second is a second Brookes is trying to tear Kai's knee under her Dark Moon! SHIVANI gets Pierce on his back and flops onto his chest, and the official rushes over to count, but Kai's hand gets to three before the referee's as he taps out! The bell rings, and for a second, SHIVANI thinks she's done it, but it doesn't take long for her to realize what happened.
[WINNER: Rebecca Brookes Via Dark Moon at 15:04]
We open back up inside of BB Gunn’s office as he’s sorting out some paperwork for the next show, making sure everything is set for Open Fight Night, but a knock at the door disrupts his work.
BB Gunn: Gah-- come in, come in.
The door opens and the first thing Gunn sees as he looks up is the Southern States Championship wrapped around the neck of the champion - David Goon. There’s no Ricardo by his side, just the champion, and there was a smile growing on Gunn’s face upon seeing him in front of him.
BB Gunn: David, I’m glad to see you here, I needed to speak to you about something. I understand that you were meant to head to the West Coast today to compete in your first defense for the Southern--
David Goon: South Bronx.
Gunn sighs.
BB Gunn: Yes, the South Bronx Championship, that was meant to be defended today against Emmanuelle in Strong Style Wrestling International’s first pay per view. Well, I’ve good news and I’ve got bad news for you, David.
The champion rolls his eyes as he takes the championship down from his neck.
David Goon: Lay it to me, boss.
BB Gunn: Well, the good news is that you’re not going to be defending the title today, or tonight, or even this week, all you need to focus on right now is that Triple Threat Tag Team Match tonight.
David Goon: Oh, that’s been sorted out good. Don’t worry about that, amigo.
Gunn begins to smile.
BB Gunn: The bad news for you is that the match that was scheduled to happen tonight will now happen next week, and that match will be shown here on NLW Ascendancy’s Open Fight Night II in two weeks. Times like these are when things can get tough, and we allowed such things to happen, because we’re a nice partnering company.
David Goon: Oh great. Just what I needed. That’s fine though, this title ain’t goin’ nowhere, gringo.
BB Gunn: Well, I would hope so, because they’ve got their own history of having championships of theirs being taken by foreign companies and I’d rather not see my championship vandalised with duct tape and stolen by our partnering companies.
David Goon: Believe me, that Emmanuelle chick ain’t got shit on me. She ain’t ready for the smoke, on god.
Gunn nods his head in approval.
BB Gunn: That’s all, David. I’ll see you after your match.
Gunn’s cocky grin grows larger as David Goon wraps the championship back around his neck, heading out of the room and leaving Gunn back to his work.
MATCH THREE
El Rey vs Finn Whelan
El Rey and Finn Whelan stood across form each other and El Rey looked on at his opponent with a distain and arrogance that we’ve come to expect from the youngster. Whelan just smirked in return, and encouraged his opponent to get on with it, El Rey obliged him and the two circled each other before locking up. With a slight size advantage Whelan backed El Rey up into the corner and offered a clean break following the referee’s instruction. El Rey didn’t seem too impressed and cheaply slapped Whelan as he took a step back. Whelan’s eyes fired up and he flew at El Rey, keeping him in the corner with forearms, which became kicks to the midsection. Happy that he’s subdued him, he whipped the teenager to the opposite corner and ran after him, but El Rey stuck a boot up to force him back. El Rey hopped up to the second rope, and floored Finn with a diving European uppercut.
Not willing to allow Finn another opportunity to take shots at him, he brought him back to his feet immediately and hit a falcon arrow, making a cover for a quick two count. El Rey sneered at his opponent, clearly expecting less than he was getting from Finn. Finn wasn’t the one to just lay down for an opponent however, and as El Rey had him back up for a vertical suplex, Whelan dropped behind, he applied a waistlock and hit a release German suplex, sending El Rey flying! Whelan went straight after El Rey, and flew at him with a shining wizard, which connected. He covered but only got two.
Finn got back up and went to the ring apron, he watched El Rey struggle to get back to his feet, but when he did Whelan took off to hit a springboard forearm, but El Rey rolled under the attempt, Finn landed on his feet as well, rolling through the momentum. However, he turned around and was met with a shotgun dropkick, which almost sent him out of the ring. With Finn grounded on the ring apron, El Rey marched over to him, a look of annoyance on his face, he reached through the second rope and dragged Finn back in and hit a rope hung DDT. He made the cover but Finn got an arm up at two.
El Rey got back to his feet and stalked Whelan, who looked in trouble, using the ropes to stand, he turned towards El Rey hi planted a boot to the cut and looked for sliced bread, but Finn pushed him away, El Rey carried his momentum and went to the ropes, coming back and swinging at Whelan for a running clothesline, but Whelan ducked, El Rey spun around and was met with ScRM [Asai DDT], he covered but El Rey got a shoulder up at two!
Finn looked gutted and held up three fingers to the referee, who ensured him that it was indeed, only a two count. He took a deep breath and got to his feet, before heading to the corner. He ascended the top rope, perhaps looking to go big to take El Rey out of the match, El Rey got up to his feet and he took flight, looking for a seated senton, but El Rey caught it, powerbombing him instead, but he held onto his legs and set himself up for the Society Killer [Styles Clash], making no mistake in hitting it in the middle of the ring, he made the cover and just like that, it was over!
[WINNER: El Rey Via Society Killer at 06:04]
The camera cuts to the hallway outside of the locker room belonging to Eli Dresden. While the challenger herself is not in view as of yet, the crowd can be heard cheering for who is. Leon Chant, dressed to compete, is standing near the door, the NLW Heavyweight Championship upon his shoulder and a serious look on his face. As he raises his hand to knock at the door, it just so happens to open--and the cheers spike in volume as the champion's gaze meets the challenger's.
Chant: Eli.
Dresden: Leon.
An uncomfortable silence reigns for a moment before Leon clears his throat.
Chant: I just wanted to--
Dresden: Save it.
The champ's brow furrows as he begins to frown.
Chant: Eli, let me--mmph!
Moving with a boldness few possess, Eli clamps a hand over his mouth, eyes narrowing into a glare as her voice takes on a harsh, surprisingly serious-sounding tone.
Dresden: I said save it, Leon. Whatever it is you wanna drag to my door, now ain't the time for it, okay? Not when we're set to beat the ever-loving shit out of each other.
A pause; her expression softens slightly as she sighs.
Dresden: I'm not sayin' that I'm not willin' to hear you out. It's just--not the right time, alright?
Her hand remains in place, the staredown between champion and challenger intense... before Leon nods. It's only then that Dresden releases her hold over Chant's mouth, the latter quiet for a moment before he's speaking.
Chant: ...can I say good luck now?
The blond grins mischievously in spite of herself.
Dresden: I'm not the one that needs it, Leon. You, on the other hand...
Leon scoffs, though one gets the impression that he's relieved at having made something resembling a breakthrough thanks to the smirk that rises to his own lips.
Chant: We'll see about that.
And with that, he walks past his challenger, making a point of checking her shoulder with his torso thanks to the height difference. Eli's response is to swat at his ass, Leon managing to mostly keep himself from jumping as he saunters off. The camera cuts back to ringside.
We come back to the ring with Mick Dundee and Nathan Parker in the ring and waiting, The New South’s music hits.
Dan Simmons: Well partner, next out is The New South, I think it’s safe to say they’ve been as much a thorn in The Goons’ side as The Goons have been a thorn in theirs!
Tommy West: I think that’s an understatement, Simmo. These four have been beating the hell out of each other on a regular basis.
Dan Simmons: And with David Goon winning the Southern States-
Tommy West: South Bronx.
Dan Simmons: I’m not even going to acknowledge that, hang on a minute Tommy, where are the New South? Their music’s been playing for a while now…
Simmons trails off, both commentators are making muffled confused noises, that is until the camera cuts to the back, where we find both Waylon Kirk and Beau Traywick on the floor, barely moving, Kirk is bleeding from the back of his head and Jolene can be heard screaming for help. The only clue to the whole scene are two steel pipes that are laying nearby both men. BB Gunn enters the scene and approaches Jolene.
BB Gunn: What the hell happened here?
Jolene: What do you think? The damn Goons were here, they did this!
Gunn says nothing, instead making a loud groan, placing his hands on his head in frustration. Medical staff come in behind him and start attending to both member so of The New South.
BB Gunn: Well, clearly this triple threat has been forced down to just a standard tag team match.
Jolene: What? Who cares about that! What are you going to do about this?
Jolene’s seething, and Gunn sees that, but equally doesn’t look like he wants to be tested.
BB Gunn: You let me deal with that sweetheart, just make sure your boys get looked after.
He walks away, but clearly this wasn’t a good enough answer for Jolene, who shouts the last words of the argument at the departed General Manager.
Jolene: that’s not good enough, Gunn! I want justice! We’ll get our damn justice!
MATCH FOUR
The Goons (David and Ricardo Goon)
The Goons, completely no selling the possibility that they had taken out The New South, had a whispered conversation before deciding that Ricardo would start the match, Mick Dundee was already primed to go on the other side of the ring. The bell rang and they locked up, Goon took an immediate advantage with a headlock, Dundee forced him out and Goon went to the ropes, coming back and shoulder charging Dundee to the floor. Goon went to the ropes again and Dundee kipped up, hitting an arm drag on Ricardo as he came back, which annoyed the younger Goon and he was back on his feet only to receive another arm drag. Ricardo popped back up but didn’t charge at “Cats”, suspecting it would only result in his opponent completing the hat trick of arm drags. Instead he backed up to the corner and tagged his brother in. The South
Ricardo brought Dundee back to his feet, and whipped him into the ropes, he lowered his head for a back body drop but ate a soccer kick from Dundee, which straightened him up, this was followed by a bicycle kick which sent Ricardo back against the ropes and as he bounced back Dundee hauled him up and hit a pop up powerbomb! Before he could do anything about it though, The New South’s music started playing, which turned his attention to the stage entrance. Jolene walked out alone, her face brimming with anger. She looked over her shoulder and Waylon Kirk and Beau Traywick both walked out, both men sporting bandages from the attack. She points them to the ring and they march on down. Dundee, visible confusion aside, asked them what the hell they were doing there, but before he could get an answer, Ricardo grabbed him in a schoolboy rollup, he hooked the tights and the referee counted the three!
[WINNER: The Goons Via schoolboy rollup at 03:50]
The New South don’t really care what’s just happened, they’re breaking into a run and hit the ring, Nathan Parker sees what’s about to happen here and he’s got in the ring and suddenly all six men are brawling!
Dan Simmons: The Goons have won but I don’t think anybody cares about that right now, we’ve got mayhem here folks!
David Goon is throwing hands with Beau Traywick, Michael Dundee has got back to his feet and is fighting with Waylon Kirk, Nathan Parker has gone after Ricardo Goon following his underhanded tactics. The referee has bailed out realising he’s going to be ignored at this point.
Tommy West: Jolene said she wanted justice, well The New South are out for it sooner than we thought!
None of the six men in the ring are getting an advantage, it’s essentially a bar brawl without the alcohol. Suddenly, a voice comes booming over the PA system.
BB Gunn: Enough, all of you, enough!
BB Gunn walks onto the stage, for the first time possibly ever, he’s angry, not Joe Blow annoying angry, this is people-will-get-fired-soon sort of angry. The tone seems to succeed in it’s aims, as all six men actually stop and look to the stage.
BB Gunn: This has gone way too far, and I don’t know if I’m pissed off at myself for allowing you to go this far, or each of you for not learning some damn self restraint.
Gunn shakes his head in disbelief.
BB Gunn: So I’m going to force it on all of you. None of you are fighting at Open Fight Night in two weeks. Why? Because first of all, Goons, New South, you’re going to settle things in four weeks, you can get all this anger out at each other because it’ll be a tornado tag match, and no disqualifications.
The crowd cheer at the announcement, which earns some glares between the four men in question.
BB Gunn: But that’s not all, David, if you manage not to lose that Southern States Title in your first defence, you’ll be defending at Hostile Intent, and you’ll be defending against five other NLW superstars, the first two are in the ring with you right now. That’s right David, Beau Traywick, will get a chance to take that title, and he’s not the only one, Nathan Parker, you get a chance to take back what you lost.
Gunn smirks.
BB Gunn: As for the other three? You’ll find out soon enough David. Until then? Get out of my damn ring and go home, you’ve annoyed the hell out of me and I don’t want to see you for a while!
Gunn stares all six men down, before leaving. The Goons slink out of the ring to collect David’s title, and Parker and Dundee carefully leave to head to the back, leaving The New South in the ring, Traywick staring down the Goons, and Kirk staring out Parker and Dundee.
Dan Simmons: Good god that was a lot of information, but the main thing is these men have not seen the last of each other, not one bit!
Tommy West: Five other competitors for David Goon to defend at Hostile Intent though? That’s hardly fair!
Dan Simmons: I don’t think too many of the locker room will have much sympathy with him, given how they’ve not cared who they upset since their arrival, Tommy!
Next Level Wrestling Presents
HOSTILE INTENT
LIVE from the Avron B Fogelman Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, May 29th, 2021
MATCH FIVE - MAIN EVENT
NLW Heavyweight Championship Match
Leon Chant (c) vs Eli Dresden
The match begins with Dresden and Chant watching one another and awaiting a first move, but with Dresden’s cocky grin on her face -- she brings her hand out in a sports-woman-ship like manner, which Chant is hesitant to make right now. The Hired Gun hesitantly brings his hand out and shakes the hand of Eli-- she pulls the hand away and her smiling grin switches in an instant to a more serious demeanor. There’s no playing around anymore on her face, she’s ready for a fight and she’s ready to give hell to Chant right now. Chant moves in for a move and Dresden rushes in--but she’s caught with a Pop Up Powerbomb! Dropkick counter!
NLW Heavyweight Championship Match
Leon Chant (c) vs Eli Dresden
The match begins with Dresden and Chant watching one another and awaiting a first move, but with Dresden’s cocky grin on her face -- she brings her hand out in a sports-woman-ship like manner, which Chant is hesitant to make right now. The Hired Gun hesitantly brings his hand out and shakes the hand of Eli-- she pulls the hand away and her smiling grin switches in an instant to a more serious demeanor. There’s no playing around anymore on her face, she’s ready for a fight and she’s ready to give hell to Chant right now. Chant moves in for a move and Dresden rushes in--but she’s caught with a Pop Up Powerbomb! Dropkick counter!
Chant is staggering back and now it’s Eli charging in once again and looking to land The OMFN but the champion is able to counter with a catching Neckbreaker that drops Dresden down onto the ground, but she’s able to kip up to her feet and then spring onto the ropes in the corner, going for the Springboard Cutter but Chant catches her again and moves her up onto his shoulders, charging in for the Running Powerslam in the middle of the ring but Dresden slides down the back, waits for Chant to turn around, and catches him on the jaw with the Superkick before firing off another one, and finally able to take the champion off of his feet with a Shotgun Dropkick from corner to chest that sends Chant flying back into the corner behind him. The crowd are on their feet and cheering on the challenger as she takes a deep breath from the intense beginning of the match.
Chant makes his way back onto his feet as Dresden charges in again and Chant catches her by his arm, slamming her down onto the mat with a Uranage with enough force for her to bounce on the mat with the impact, and Chant grabs her with the gutwrench before deadlift her up into the air, charges in with the Doctor Bomb! The cover on Dresden but she’s able to kick out at one from the Powerbomb. Chant can feel the intensity in Dresden’s attacks, knowing she wants to win this more than anything after the events of Masquerade’s main event, but he will not allow this to happen, he will not allow Dresden to take the championship from him. Leon Chant brings himself to his feet and drags Dresden up to her feet, throwing her into the ropes but she bounces up onto the second rope and hits the Crossbody on Chant -- but he’s like a brick wall against her, she just bounces off of him as she hits him.
Dresden rolls out of the ring to recuperate from what’s gone down in the beginning of the match, Chant just stands there with a smile on his face and gives a simple shrug to his challenger. Dresden leaps onto the apron and teases a Springboard but Chant rushes in to push her off, the challenger catches Chant with a Rope-Aided Gamengiri to the head of the champion as she springs to the corner and onto the top turnbuckle, Dresden being the acrobatic high flyer she is -- she cartwheels off of the top rope and catches the champion with a DDT that sends his head into the mat! Dresden uses the ropes to push Chant over onto his back and cover him with the shoulders down, and just barely gets past two as Chant kicks out with ease.
The crowd in New Orleans are ecstatic for this match so far as Dresden walks around the ring and awaits for Chant to get back to his feet, but as he gets back up onto both feet- Dresden begins to land those Calf Kicks before rebounding off of the ropes--and RIGHT INTO THE DISCUS LARIAT! Catching the challenger off guard with the arm and turning her inside out, the champion is down and hearing the crowd chanting for both of them in the match, it’s even down the middle in Avron B Fogelman Arena! Leon crawls over and goes for the cover but Dresden counters with a crucifix pin! Only catching Leon with a two count! Dresden springs to her feet and lands a nasty Roundhouse Kick to the head of the champion that knocks him out of the ring and this gives Eli the chance to rebound off of the ropes again, this time not being caught by any move from Chant as she charges in and leaps over the ropes with the OH-EM-GEE!
Dresden and Chant are down on the mat as they’re looking to be back on their feet as the referee’s count reaches five, both slide in just at the same time and already Dresden is rolling Chant over for the quick cover and Chant easily getting the shoulder up before the referee’s hand can hit the mat. Dresden ever so slowly brings herself back to her feet and lands one Superkick right to Chant’s jaw as she goes to the ropes to rebound and land The OFMN--CAUGHT! POP UP POWERBOMB! Chant goes for the cover and Dresden JUST kicks out before three! Chant just wants to end this as quickly as he can, going for the second Pop Up Powerbomb but Dresden counters with THE OFMN! THE SLING BLADE CATCHES CHANT AND DROPS HIM TO THE MAT! Dresden goes for the cover and Chant kicks out at two!
Dresden is wanting to put down Chant for good, wrapping her legs around his head lock in the Triangle Choke but Chant is holding his ground and pulling Dresden up into the air but she slides down the back of Chant and goes with a kick to the back of his knees, Dresden springs to the ropes… Headscissors Driver! That’s the Relapse of Jason Long being put to the limit and dropping Chant on the point of his head as he rolls through and Dresden-- catching Chant on the back of his head with a Jumping Thrust Kick! The Assassin’s Blade but Dresden backs herself in the corner as she charges in… PUNT KICK! PUNT KICK! THAT WAS THE VANITY KILLER! DRESDEN HOOKS THE LEGS OF THE HIRED GUN… AND CHANT JUST KICKS OUT RIGHT BEFORE THREE, HE WAS MILLIMETRES AWAY FROM HIS CHAMPIONSHIP BEING LOST!
Eli Dresden is desperate right now, she’s after hitting everything she can right now and she’s just looking for just anything right now to claim that win. Chant and Dresden are in the corners and staring at one another, taking heavy breaths as they charge in towards one another and Chant takes down Dresden with the shoulder tackle and then another as she gets back up again, rebounding off of the ropes and landing a HUGE Running Big Splash down onto Dresden! Going for the cover and she’s just able to kick out by lifting her shoulders off of the mat! Dresden is being dragged to her feet as Chant grabs her from behind and into the crucifix position as he walks into the middle of the ring… this might be over here as he pops her up into the air and INTO THE POP UP POWERBOMB! SHE ROLLED THROUGH THOUGH? SHE ROLLED THROUGH! SHE JUST ATE THAT POWERBOMB AND SHE’S HAMMERING AWAY WITH THE DROPKICKS, KNOCKING CHANT BACK AND INTO THE ROPES! Chant is being hit with absolutely everything in Dresden’s striking arsenal right now, but he grabs her again, and slams her onto the turnbuckles with a Chokeslam before going with a Twisting High Angled Uranage Slam!
Chant has nothing else left in his arsenal, he’s done everything he can right now. He’s done everything he’s been able to do and nothing is putting Dresden down for good. Chant finds himself in the corner and lifts onto the first rope, and then onto the second rope, heading all the way up to the top rope and looking down on Dresden-- she’s kipped up to her feet again! Chant has nowhere to go right now! Yakuza Kick to the leg of Chant and knock him back down onto the turnbuckle! Dresden falls back and watches Chant fix himself on the second rope, sitting up there and Dresden sees an opportunity for the taking! She charges in… THE GD-FUCKING-I!! ARABIAN MOONSAULT SLAM ONTO LEON CHANT! SHE GOES FOR THE COVER! ONE! TWO! … THREE!! THE BELL RINGS AND IT’S ALL OVER!
[WINNER: Eli Dresden via The GDI @ 34:57]
The crowd is on their feet in New Orleans! “Never Look Back” by The Nearly Deads plays through the speakers as confetti falls from the above and down onto Eli Dresden who lifts herself off of Leon Chant and is handed the NLW Heavyweight Championship belt.
Marty Watts: Here is your winner… and the NEWWWWWWWWWW NEXT LEVEL WRESTLING HEAVYWEIIIIIGHT CHAMPIOONNNNN… ELLLLLIIIIIIII DRESSSSSDEENNNNNNNN!!!!
Eli Dresden stands back up from her feet with the NLW Heavyweight Championship in her hands as she lifts it up high, tears running down her face as she just collapses to her knees, breaking down with emotion as more confetti and streamers get flung into the ring.
Dan Simmons: Leon Chant has been dethroned! The Hired Gun has been dethroned! The Queendom of Eli Dresden has placed her foot down on the throne of Next Level Wrestling! What an all out fight we’ve just watched!
Tommy West: Leon Chant put her through everything and she just took everything, she ate every single thing that Leon gave her but unlike Masquerade, there were no mistakes made at the end, she caught him off-guard and won the biggest prize in Next Level Wrestling!
Dan Simmons: That’s going to end the night for us here in New Orleans, I’m “Deep South” Dan Simmons and for my broadcast partner, Tommy West. Goodnight and god bless!
The final shot we see is of Eli Dresden holding the championship above her head in both hands and tears running down her face, as the feed slowly fades to black.
