NLW Collision Course | Saturday, 21st August 2021 | LIVE

[Mav.]

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Next Level Wrestling Presents



COLLISION COURSE

LIVE from the Avron B Fogelman Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Airing on Saturday, 21st August 2021

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(OOC: Thank you Drag for making this masterpiece!)

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The city of New Orleans, Louisiana.

With the cold opening beginning with a city skyline shot of New Orleans during the early morning hours and the sun only beginning to rise on the streets of NOLA, the sounds of birds are heard chirping away and in the distance were some cars driving through the said streets of New Orleans--and walking along those streets? BB Gunn. Taking an early morning stroll through New Orleans ahead of the precursor to the next level of Next Level Wrestling. Collision Course. The pay-per-view that has everyone talking about, throughout the entirety of the XHF Network and even the wrestling world, they’re all keeping their eyes on what could be the future of the company. Gunn stops just outside of a store with various television screens within the window of the store, all of them showing different key moments throughout the past year of Next Level Wrestling’s lifespan inside of the Avron B Fogelman Arena, before they all play one clip of BB Gunn during his announcement speech at Eve of Champions.

“Ladies and Gentleman, The Next Level… has only just got going.”

Gunn slips in a set of Air Pods as the sounds of ‘SUCKAPUNCH’ by You Me At Six is heard, which brings a smile on Gunn’s face as he begins to take a jog through the streets of New Orleans. The camera shot follows him as on both sides of him, in a glitched effect, shows the many members of the NLW roster connecting the main finishing moves. Including Finn Whelan’s Revelation 6:4 and Lazarus Arjen’s L.D. 50 -- the moves that claimed the brand new champion’s reigns at Eve of Champions.

“I'm getting visions of new beginnings
Don't think you fit in
Hurts to admit it at last
I'm free from my past”

Then, it begins to show the visions of the champion’s challengers, their accolades throughout their careers and what they’ve accomplished, before showing their main finishing moves. Graham Baker’s Half Life Bomber to Adam Sanders’ This Is Awkward to Dylan Black’s Dynamic Outro. All of these moves have claimed the many championships that these men have won throughout their years--before the visions would soon fade and Gunn stops to take a deep breath.

“We're in the same room but stand on different sides
You could lose your mind
Trying to understand mine
It's a sign of the times (times)”

Gunn soon begins his run again and the visions appear on both sides of him again, showing Wellington Dunne on one side, and on the other? Tommy Kelly. The former NLW Heavyweight Champion -- and the man that Wellington Dunne screwed out of his own championship twenty-four hours before their eventual clash at Night of Champions.

“I rise from the wreckage that you left behind
I rise from the wreckage that you left behind
I rise from the wreckage that you left behind
I rise from the wreckage that you left behind”

Before then, the visions change to Scott Hampton and Jason Long -- both seated at their contract signing on the previous episode of Ascendancy XIX. The visions show the battles that both men have had with one another throughout the past couple of months, with many blindsided attacks and brawls that both men have fought tooth and nail for--before it could show the Superkick that left Scott Hampton rolling out of the ring.

“I'm getting visions, I'm pessimistic
Call it nihilistic, but really what is the point
In making any noise?”

The visions soon change to quick flashes of the six competitors of the Trios Tag Team Match -- with the individual shots showing Nathan Cage, Mehrunes Smith, and Timothy Gates. Then, to the shots of their opponents -- Chris Sanderson, Keahi Sparks, and Felix. These visions are clear to the mind of BB Gunn as he continues to think about the future of Next Level Wrestling.

“Want to look forward but I'm so tortured
I'm feeling nauseous
I'm just a passenger of someone else's good times”

These visions of Gunn’s past soon fade away as slows down and looks up to find himself so close to the Avron B Fogelman Arena, before a large smile begins to grow on his face, keeping his pace going as the visions continue to show again. This time showing the main event of Collision Course. MYOJIN to one side and to the other side was Ricardo Goon. The visions show the paths that both men took to get to where they are, defeating everyone in their wake, and keeping their eyes on the goal at hand--a shot at the NLW Heavyweight Championship at Homecoming II.

“But I rise from the wreckage that you left behind
I rise from the wreckage that you left behind
I rise from the wreckage that you left behind
I rise from the wreckage that you left behind”

With Gunn soon making it to the doors of the Avron B Fogelman Arena, he takes out the Air Pods and heads inside of the arena -- leaving everything to soon fade to black before we fade back into the sold out Avron B Fogelman Arena with the crowd loudly chanting for NLW as the chorus is heard through the speakers.

“Oh, something I could never say
Why you gotta make it feel this way by lying to my face?
A suckapunch I can take
I wasn't born yesterday
A bloodsport but I'm a saint
It's time to consider there are no winners
I'm getting visions and you're not fitting in”

‘SUCKAPUNCH’ continues to play throughout the arena as the lights come fully to life within the Fogelman as the crowd continue to chant for Next Level Wrestling, before the camera shot soon fades to the commentators for the night as they give a wave to the camera.

Dan Simmons: Good evening guys, gals, and non-binary pals--and welcome to Collision Course! I'm Dan Simmons, joined as always by Tommy West and tonight, Tommy, we've got one Hell of a night of action ahead of us!

Tommy West: Yes we do, Dan! But before we get to that--did you get that greeting from your daughter, too?

Dan Simmons: I sure did! She's smart as a whip, I tell you.

Tommy West: Sounds like it! But let's get back to the business at hand. Tonight, folks, we've got a total of seventeen hungry competitors that will be colliding in six total matches--and each and every one of these collisions will be explosive!

Dan Simmons: We've got trios tag action opening the show tonight, with Chris Sanderson, Keahi Sparks and Felix taking on Timothy Gates, Nathan Cage and Mehrunes Smith! None of these competitors are familiar with their team-mates, so how will they co-exist? Can they co-exist?

Tommy West: That's a good question, Dan--but I know two men who absolutely cannot coexist, as 'Deathless' Tommy Kelly takes on the man who cost him the NLW Heavyweight Championship a few weeks back in Wellington Dunne. This is gonna be a grudge match for the ages!

Dan Simmons: Now, you cannot mention blood feuds without bringing up the names of Jason Long and Scott Hampton. These two former friends will be meeting in the middle of the ring in an unsanctioned match that is gonna get ugly if the past is any indicator! Will this be enough for them to resolve their differences?

Tommy West: I don't like the odds of that one, Dan. The odds are also not in favor of Lazarus Arjen defending his NLW Southern States Championship successfully against both former champion Graham Baker and End of Days briefcase holder Adam Sanders, but I know that's not gonna stop Lazarus from pulling out all the stops to ensure he retains!

Dan Simmons: The same is definitely true in regards to Finn Whelan and the NLW Heavyweight Championship. In his first defense, Whelan's got to deal with the man whose argument was the most persuasive--multiple time X*Crown Champion Dylan Black. Finn's got one Hell of an uphill battle in front of him!

Tommy West: Speaking of uphill battles... the finalists of the G1 have clawed and battled their way to our main event tonight, but one final battle remains for the two men who have earned their way to compete for a shot at NLW's greatest prize. MYŌJIN, the winner of Group A, will be going up against Ricardo Goon, the winner of Group B. After enduring three round robin matches plus a semi-final bout to defend their place, both the Shining Star and Ricardo Goon have fought hard to get here--but who will come out on top?

Dan Simmons: There's only one way to find out, Tommy--but no matter the outcome, this is going to be a show for the ages!

Tommy West: Right you are. Let's get the action going with a six-man tag match!

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Marty Watts: The following contest is scheduled for ONE FALL!

ONE FALL!

The arena goes dark, silence for a brief moment until the intro of "I Wear My Skin" by One Minute Silence begins to play. The drums kick in showing some flashing light. As the song continues to build up, the lights explode back on right at that magical moment.

"I WEAR MY SKIN LIKE IT'S NOT A PROBLEM
OR IS IT A PROBLEM FOR YOU?!"

Standing in the entry way is Chris Sanderson with a hooded sweatshirt on, hood up, as he takes in the positive reaction from the crowd. The second generation talent takes a quick glance at the people on their feet before beginning his walk to the ring. Sanderson makes sure to slap hands that stick over the barricade, headbanging along with the song along with singing along.

"My past writes the page I walk on
Today writes the past for
I wage my war in the name of living
Or is it the killing you choose?"

Marty Watts: Introducing first, from Miami Florida. He stands at 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 208 pounds, CHRIS SANDERSOOOOOON!

Chris Sanderson reaches ringside and stops in front of the ring. He tosses his hood back and jumps up to the ring apron before hopping over the ropes. He makes his way to the closest turnbuckle, jumping up and continues to look out at the cheering fans. He hops down and uses the ropes to stretch out with. Chris unzips his jacket and tosses it off to ringside as the song begins to fade away.

The video lights up with bright reds and yellows as the intro to "Overdrive" by Lazerhawk begins to play! Keahi Sparks jumps out through the entry way, pumping up the crowd!

Marty Watts: And his partner, from Murfreesboro Tennessee. She stands at 6 feet and weights 209 pounds, KEAHI SPAAAAAAARKS!

Sparks runs down the ramp and slides under the ropes, bouncing around the ring to hype up the attendees some more.

The lights go out as his music starts, smoke from a fog machine filling the stage. As the music picks up the camera comes down to the center stage, a spotlight appearing on Felix and white spotlights roaming over the fans. His face is focused on the ring, or his opponent if they are already in the ring, and his expression is one of focus and determination as he heads down the ramp. He doesn't pause to high five fans or anything, not out of disrespect but because of the intensify he's staring his opponent down with and swiftly gets into the ring. If he is the first in the ring he takes a moment to bow to the fans, the classic fist-to-open-palm bow, but if he is second he bows to his opponent before falling into his fighting stance as the lights raise again.

Marty Watts: And their partner, from Harrisburg Pennsylvania. He stands at 6 feet 2 inches and weights 250 pounds, "The Tactician" FELIX!

"Beast of a Burden" by The Rolling Stones plays as Timothy Gates comes down to the ring, not acknowledging the fans as he marches to his opposition.

Marty Watts: And their opponents, first from San Francisco California! He stands at 6 feet 4 inches and weighs 245 pounds, TIMOTHY GATES!

"WWWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!

HE AIN'T MY BOY BUT THE BROTHA IS HEAVY!"

An explosion of guitar and pounding drum beats blast from the P.A as Cage throws back the entrance curtain and marches to the ring to a chorus of boo's. Cage's cracks his neck repeatedly and moves his body erratically, his eyes wide open, intense and frenzied towards the ring.

"CAUSE I GONE GURU CUT THE BALLYHOO!
ROCK THE TAMBOURINES AND THE DIDGERIDOO!
SET THE ANIMALS FREE FROM THE PIMPIN' ZOO!
AND I'LL ELEVATE YA MIND LIKE AIRPLANE GLUE!"

Marty Watts: And his partner, from Flint Michigan. He stands at 6 feet and weights 230 pounds, NATHAN CAGE!

Cage slides into the ring and shoves the referee out of his way as he walks towards the ropes and frantically shakes them up and down while letting out a primal yell. Fired up, he moves towards the corner and repeatedly slams his fist into the turnbuckle before spinning round and slumping his body against it, eager to start the mayhem.

The lights in the building dim with the intro of the music, as the drums kick in red and white lights flash in time with the beat as "The Terror From The Deep" Mehrunes Smith makes his entrance with arms outstretched. The lights stop flashing and a single red light in a sea of darkness follows Mehrunes Smith as he coldly saunters towards the ring. He climbs the stairs and steps through the ropes where he makes his way to the corner, disrobing and removing the mask as the lights return to normal.

Marty Watts: And their partner, from Parts Unknown. He stands at 5 feet 8 inches and weights 200 pounds, "The Terror from The Deep" MEHRUNES SMITH!

He kneels in the corner while holding the mask to his head, he whispers as he puts it down and turns to get ready for the match.

Tommy West: This is gonna be a wild match Danny! Six new signings are going to square off in a wild opening match!

Dan Simmons: And I cannot wait for it!

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MATCH ONE
TRIOS TAG TEAM MATCH
Chris Sanderson, Keahi Sparks and Felix vs Timothy Gates, Nathan Cage and Mehrunes Smith

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DING DING! DING DING!

Nate Cage and Felix start off this match, Felix beginning with some hard martial arts strikes, punches and kicks to the Flint Fruitcake, who just eats up all these strikes and delivers it right back to Felix! Where Felix's style is focused and singles things out, Cage is unpredictable, unorthodox, volatile! He backs the Tactician into a corner and just unloads with lefts and rights, pelting Felix's torso with heavy strikes!

Tommy West: Cage is showing off in his NLW debut! Taking the fight right to Felix in ways only he can!

Dan Simmons: That man is a few screws short of a functioning machine, I tell you what!

Having beaten Felix into the corner, Nathan runs to the opposite corner, coming back with a cannonball! He hurls himself at Felix but Felix pushes himself out of the way! Cage goes back-first into the turnbuckles and crumples in a heap! This gives Felix the opportunity he needs to put down the Rabid Dog! He picks Cage up and delivers a series of various suplexes to the madman, wearing him down for a few choice submissions! He'll lock Cage in one gate of a move, then just as Cage is about to break free or grab the ropes, he moves to a new one!

Dan Simmons: Impressive mat work from Felix! Cage is looking gassed so early in this bout!

Tommy West: Chillax, he's fresh out of prison and just biding his time to feed on his prey! Just you wait!

Felix drags Cage to his corner and tags Keahi Sparks into the match, and they both irish whip Cage off the ropes. They go for some sort of double team move, bending over to flip Cage with a back body drop perhaps? Cage just grabs them by the heads and drops 'em both on their heads! Felix rolls out of the ring as Cage rolls his neck, grabbing Keahi by the throat and lifting her up! She gets dragged to the enemies corner and Mehrunes is tagged in, that terrifying monster climbs in and Cage and Smith take turns brutalizing Keahi! Utilizing quick tags and power moves to dismantle the Emerald Blade! Eventually the ref tries to seperate the heels from Keahi so she can breath.

Dan Simmons: Those two goliaths are just dominating poor Keahi!

Tommy West: Thank god the ref got some sense to keep them seperated... oh WHAT THE HELL?

But as the ref's eyes are on Smith and Cage, he misses Timmy Gates choking out Keahi by the ropes!

Tommy West: ABSOLUTELY DESPICABLE!

Dan Simmons: That's how you play the game right, Tommy!

Tommy West: That's how you start riots, Danny!

The ref turns around to Keahi but Tim is long gone by now, he just sees Keahi on the ground struggling to breath. Mehrunes sees this too and grabs her by the throat, lifting her up and headbutting her! The momentum sends her into the ropes and she fires back with a europeon uppercut! Boom! Smith staggers back, but we can't read his face. You know, because of the mask. He charges at her but Sparks is quick to duck, turning and delivering some lightning-fast chops to the Terror from the Deep! He's backed against the ropes and those chops are delivered at the pace a machine gun fires bullets! WOO! WOO! WOO!

Tommy West: Keahi is firing up the crowd now! She's looking to get some momentum rolling!

Keahi runs the ropes and goes to clothesline Mehrunes out of the ring, but he catches her and plants her with a side slam! The ring shakes as he roars in the middle of the ring, climbing to the second rope and dropping a knee across her head! She twitches as he twists her around for a dis-arm-'er! She reaches around, trying to push off or pull to the ropes but Mehrunes's got her dead sat in the ring! She gets an idea though, and pulls at his mask! That gets him to let go quick and he gets pushed backwards, stacked up for a backslide! ONE TWO KICKOUT! SO CLOSE! BUT MEHRUNES BACKS UP AND TIMMY GATES IS IN! He runs at Keahi, who trips him with a drop toe hold!

Dan Simmons: Bit of revenge for earlier! Keahi is gonna dish out some pain on Timmy Gates!

Tommy West: Slow your roll, Danny! Looks like she has something else up her sleeve!

The faces take time to double team Timothy! Keahi and Felix with a double elbow to the face!! Chris would get tagged in and he and Felix would drop Timmy Gates with a double suplex! Chris says he wants a turn and nails an exploder suplex on Tim! A quick ground and pound to subdue the young bastard, before Chris climbs the ropes, looking for something big! Double foot stomp to Gates! Gates is reeling on the ground but Chris ain't done yet! He crouches by Gates, waiting for him to stir before he lifts Gates up in the air, UNTITLED FINALE III! GATES IS FLATTENED BY YET ANOTHER SUPLEX AND CHRIS MOUNTS HIM, ROLLING OVER FOR A PIN! THE THREE COUNT IS SEALED! SANDERSON GETS THE WIN FOR HIS TEAM!

Marty Watts: The winners of this match via pinfall, Felix, Keahi Sparks and CHRIS SANDERSON!

[WINNER: Felix, Keahi Sparks and Chris Sanderson via Untitled Finale III at 11:20]

As the bell rings, Cage unexpectedly slides into the ring. Looming over the downed Timothy Gates with a bemused expression. He flicks his hair back before suddenly dropping down and unloading on Gates with a torrent of right hands! The strikes from Cage bounce repeatedly off Timothy’s skull. The man too hurt by the match to even defend himself against Cage’s onslaught.

Dan Simmons: Nathan Cage has lost it! Beating on the man who, just moments ago, was his tag team partner!

Tommy West: Gates should’ve seen it coming! Nathan Cage is a wild card who’s been nothing but upfront about his disdain for most of NLW’s roster

The bell continues to ring while Cage unrelentingly beats on Gates. He drags the rich boy up by his hair and dumps him outside where he lands almost directly on his head. No reprieve is given for Gates as Cage picks his ruined body up again and throws him over the barricade into the frenzied crowd. There is an unexpected mixture of cheers and boos for Nathan Cage. His assault is vicious and unprovoked, but Gates hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the NLW faithful much either. Gates stirs somewhat on the floor but has no chance at recovery before Cage picks him back up and clocks him across the jaw. He grabs Gates’ hair and drags him further into the crowd towards the backstage area.

Tommy West: Where in the hell are they going?

Dan Simmons: It’s hard to tell if Nathan Cage is trying to make a statement or, simply sate his own bloodlust.

The feed switches to multiple different cameras in quick succession trying to find Cage and Gates before coming across Gates being thrown into the lobby. The nearby fans at concession cheer in surprise and enjoyment, seemingly receiving an extra match for free tonight. Cage emerges from behind the curtain and puts the boots to Gates, seemingly just to add insult to injury he picks up a wet floor sign and brings it down on Timothy’s head where it bends apart on impact.

Dragging Gates by the hair, Cage lifts him up and tosses him towards the concession stand. The crowd disperses around the two but still cheer on as Cage brings Gates’ head down repeatedly on the table. Cage then tosses Gates clean over the concession stand desk causing the poor snack vendors to run for cover. Before he can continue, a security guard in a bright yellow shirt runs towards Cage to try and stop him. Only for the security guard to get stopped himself as Cage turns and blasts him in the jaw with an elbow, knocking the guard down on his ass. Cage then turns and hops the concessions table to continue stomping Gates who scrambles down on the soda soaked ground.

Dan Simmons: Nathan Cage just struck an official and now he’s continuing this assault on Timothy Gates!

Tommy West: We need help out here!

Taking a moment of respite, Cage grabs a large paper cup and sticks it under the cola dispenser. He takes a swig before spitefully dumping the rest down on Gates beneath him.

Cage: Bottom’s up, prick!

Another security guard comes to try and apprehend Cage but he too is stopped in his tracks by Cage throwing the cash register at him. The crowd begins giving the fight a wider berth as several members move in fear of being hit by an errant thrown object. Cage delivers a few more stomps to Gates before picking him up one last time. He grabs Gates by his hair and by his tights and with all the force he is physically capable of, throws Timothy headfirst into the popcorn dispenser, shattering the glass on impact. Gates limp upper half stands lodged in the dispenser for a few moments before Cage pulls him out, revealing his bloodied form to the audience. Still not content with the punishment inflicted, Cage continues stomping a mudhole into Gates. It is only with the arrival of five more security guards rushing into the scene and jumping the stand to physically restrain Cage, does the assault on Timothy Gates mercifully come to an end.

Cage is dragged over the desk as both downed security guards from earlier also enter the fray to try and keep Cage down who is still resisting and shoving the guards away from him. Eventually, they manage to hold Cage’s arms behind his back long enough to slap on a pair of plastic handcuffs on his wrists. He is pulled back by the group of guards to reveal his smirking face and mocking chuckle.

Cage: Do that waste of human resource a favour and drag his carcass out of the arena! Hell, don’t just throw him outta the arena, toss his ass out of the wrestling business, period!

In spite of struggling against seven security guards, Cage continues to fight against their attempts to escort him out. Though, they slowly but surely pull him towards the exits. This seemingly does nothing to halt Cage’s frenzied address to both the gathered crowd and to the camera detail that made its way here to capture the carnage for the rest of the arena.

Cage: Maybe little Timmy can dip into his trust fund, go out and buy some gym time, and come back a better man! ‘Cause I warned everyone in this company! If ya think ya can clock in and coast along like it’s any other nine to five job, get ready for a rude awakening!

The camera crew continues to follow Cage. His struggles seem to subside as he walks with the guards to the arena exit with a smirk still etched on his face.

Cage: NLW is my territory now! And I ain’t gonna accept a high level of mediocrity from any easily satisfied CUNTS! If you walk ‘round here thinkin’ your position is safe, start growin’ eyes in the back of your head right now! Cause it means you’re on the list! And you ain’t gonna know when it is! And you ain’t gonna know where it’s coming! But mark my words...

The camera stops following Cage as the security detail rounds a corner.

Cage: NATHAN CAGE IS GONNA GET YA!

Cage’s mocking, raspy chuckle fades off as we return to the ring.

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We cut to backstage in the locker room area of Avron B Fogelman Arena, as Dylan Black is prepping for his match. He hears a noise behind him, and turns to be nearly face-to-face with one Eli Dresden.

Dylan: I’m sorry, I didn’t know I was involved in a meet and greet tonight. Are you here for an autograph?

Dresden, for her part, just smirks that smirk--the one that lets anyone know that she’s up to no good.

Dresden: Nah, I was thinkin’ more along the lines of grabbin’ myself a souvenir--and I even know what I want, too.

Dresden eyes Dylan’s arm for a moment, causing him to take a step back.

Dylan: Steve didn’t put you up to this, did he? Nobody is going to take my basic human right to arms away!

The blond scoffs.

Dresden: Ugh, so overdramatic… like I’d do that. I just want the magnet back. I got most’of em, but the one callin’ you my bitch’s still there.

A pause; Eli’s smirk grows sharp.

Dresden: Must be true if you kept it on so long.

Dylan looks down to the magnet on his arm. Even he forgot it was there. He stammers as he rushes to remove it.

Dylan: Well, no. You just- I think I forgot- I’m not your bitch! You know if I was your bitch I’d have let you pin me at Battle of the Best.

At mention of that particular event, Eli’s eyes narrow--but that smirk remains even as she lets out a sigh, seemingly taking pity on the stammering Black.

Dresden: Here, just--hold still. I’ll grab it, kay?

Dylan looks nervous, but he holds still as asked. Dresden gets up close and snags the magnet, shoving it into her pocket… but she’s not stepping back. Instead, she leans in a little.

Dresden: ...huh, looks like there’s another one stuck a little bit further back. Mind if I grab it?

Black lets out an impatient sigh, ready to have this over with.

Dylan: Sure. Whatever. Just take your magnets and leave, please. I’d like to resume my pre-match prep.

Eli nods, leaning in closer, fingers fumbling… right up until there’s the sound of cybernetics no longer having power. What she withdraws isn’t another magnet, oh no--she’s got a pair of D-sized batteries. Grinning like a Cheshire cat, she flashes them in front of Black’s eyes.

Dresden: Got’em, bitch!

And with that, the blond takes off like a bat out of Hell. Dylan reaches back after her, but she’s looooooooong gone!

Dylan: Goddamn it Eli, give those back! GET BACK HERE!

Black takes off after the blond bombshell, the camera cutting to ringside soon after.

---

Marty Watts: The following contest is a grudge match and it is scheduled for ONE FALL!

ONE FALL!

Dunne comes out to stage, holds his arms out, and flexes showing off his physique, before heading down to the ring.

Marty Watts: Introducing first, on his way to the ring. He stands at 6 feet 5 inches tall, and weighs 284 pounds. One half of Tilted Cartridges, he is "The Glasgow Bull" WELLINGTONNNNNNN DUUUUUUUUUNNE!

As the opening chords of RATM hits the speakers, the fans cheer for the fan favourite as he makes his way to the stage. The arena lights dim down as the music plays, changing quickly to a spotlight on stage revealing Tommy Kelly with his back to the ramp and arms outstretched. He spins around and cheers back to the fans, very alive and hyped up.

Marty Watts: And his opponent, coming down the ramp at this time. He stands at 6 feet 1 inch tall, and weighs 201 pounds. He is known by many names. The Phantan, the Jackal, The Stormcrow. DEATHLESS. TOMMY. KELLLLLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYYYYY!

Making his way down the ramp he tags and high-fives fans along the way, breaking into a run to slide into the ring at the end. He keeps moving and mounts the far turnbuckle, again posing for the fans with his arms outstretched. He hops down to the mat and makes his way over to his corner.

Tommy West: These two have been itching to get at one another since Eve of Champions. After a brief spat in the European Brawl at Night of Champions 12, I believe they're gonna tear each other apart here!

Dan Simmons: Of course that's their plan, Dunne cost Kelly the NLW Heavyweight Title and the XHF European Title to some extent, so Kelly is going to make like a flock of crows and murder him!

---

MATCH TWO
GRUDGE MATCH
Tommy Kelly vs Wellington Dunne

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DING DING! DING DING!

Kelly and Dunne lock up in the middle of the ring, Dunne easily taking control early in the contest! He backs Kelly into the corner and begins to set in with some stiff strikes, hard punches to the face and gut of his blood adversary! Tommy Kelly just grins and takes it like he's at an all-you-can-eat buffet, before he turns the action back on his beefy foe! A few strikes to the legs sets Dunne back before Kelly sets in with some speedy, slightly drunken strikes of his own! Weaving in and out of the defensive tactics Wellington tries to employ, he nails a nasty headbutt to the nose of Dunne! CRACK! Dunne stumbles back, holding his nose as a bit of red pours out! He's distracted by his own pain as Kelly nails him with a dropkick, taking the Glasgow Bull off his knees!

Tommy West: The Stormcrow's certainly taking it right to Dunne early on in this matchup!

Dan Simmons: That busted nose is going to keep Dunne distracted, he needs to get that under control to get back in the game!

Dunne tries to push himself to his knees but Kelly comes back in with a spinning elbow, keeping the attack on Dunne's face! Dunne moves his hands to push off and like a bull seeing red, he sees the red coming from his face! This sends him in a frenzy as he grabs Kelly around the waist, lifting him up and over for a german suplex! Kelly bounces around as Dunne gets to his feet, clasping his hands around his nose and SNAP! Just snaps it back in place! The crowd roars for his tenacity and he wipes the blood away. He begins a ground and pound on the former NLW Heavyweight Champion, beating him into a pulp in the ground enjoying it a little too much. He grabs Tommy around the throat and lifts him up off the ground, dropping onto his feet to deliver some machine gun chops to Kelly! He chops Kelly into the corner, before irish whipping him out across the ring! Kelly bounces out of the opposite corner and gets sunk into the ground with an STO!

Tommy West: You were right, one reset nose and the Glasgow Bull is on a rampage!

Dan Simmons: Tommy Kelly has revenge on his mind, he needs to remember just what he's messing with before he loses focus and his chances of climbing back up the NLW ladder!

Kelly holds his head after that nasty STO, he is reeling! Dunne picks him up for something else, but Kelly lets out a nasty burp that disrupts Dunne's assault! The referee is even disgusted by that, turning away for a brief second! And in that second Dunne gets spewed on with a little alcohol! Tommy calls that the Irish Kiss! He tries a sneaky rollup but Dunne kicks out at one and a half! He's still blinded and this allows Kelly to climb the top rope! It's just a moment for Dunne to regain vision and figure out where Kelly is, because he's flying off the top rope! FLYING CLOTHESLINE! GOOD GOD! Dunne is flattened and Kelly rolls through, he turns back and drops a standing elbow on his fellow AXW alumni! Dunne coughs and spits up blood as Kelly takes a swig for the crowd, spitting it out in a way that would make the man with three H's proud!

Dan Simmons: It's all about the booze, and how you spit it! It's all about the crow, and if you can kill it!

Tommy West: None of this is Covid safe and this is why we'll never get out of this pandemic.

As Deathless is flexing in the ring, riding on that adrenaline high, Dunne kips up behind him! The crowd goes wild as Kelly turns around and gets ABSOLUTELY CLOBBERED WITH A SHOULDER TACKLE! Dunne takes his sweet time driving strikes into the fallen body of Tommy Kelly, each blow with more animosity and ferocity behind it! Months, years of pent up rage and frustration all being taken out on poor Tommy Kelly! He drives a few more strikes into Tommy's head before lifting him up! But the Stormcrow, more like Stormphoenix, rises from those ashes and fights back! They trade blows back and forth once more, seemingly just bounces off one another. They both push off of each other, going for something big. And they both bounce off the ropes, hitting each other with clotheslines!

Tommy West: Down they go! These two, while not as good as me in my prime, are shaping up to give us one hell of a bout!

Dan Simmons: You can say that again, West. I'm on the edge of my-oh wait, CHECK OUT DUNNE! HE'S BACK UP AND JUST ON TOP OF KELLY!

WELLINGTON DUNNE LIFTS THE STORMCROW UP ON HIS SHOULDER! HE FLIPS HIM UP AND OVER FOR THE WILD RIDE! NO! TOMMY LANDS ON HIS FEET AND KICKS DUNNE IN THE KNEE! HE GETS BEHIND HIM, LIFTS HIM UP AND SPINS HIM ROUND! DEATH BECOMES YOU! HE NAILS IT! HE COVERS DUNNE AND TAKES THAT THREE COUNT! TOMMY KELLY WINS!

[WINNER: Tommy Kelly via Death Becomes You at 10:01]

DING DING! DING DING!

Marty Watts: The winner of this match, "Deathless" Tommy Kelly!

Dan Simmons: Mess with a bull, you get the horns! Dunne messed with the wrong bull and Tommy Kelly has damn near murdered him!

Tommy West: His arrogance led to his own defeat my man!

Dan Simmons: That it has, and you've got ta wonder how he's going to feel in the morning knowing he only got the job half dunne.

---

--PRE RECORDED FROM SWAT--

Donzig nodded at that, and he again raked his fingers through his beard before he paused by the corner. He stared out over the crowd, his smile fading slightly before he lifted his head with a cold gleam in his eyes. The good humor of the hometown reaction seeming to fade in an instant, and he licked his lips before he brought the mic up.

Donzig: Now for something completely different.

And he reached out to reclaim his mask from Sinclair. He tugged it back into place, and he took a deep breath before he spat. Then he started to speak, handing the Trios belt to his disciple.

Donzig: I want to address the people in the South, I want to address the people of NLW.

The fans gave a mixed pop, and Donzig waved a hand absently as he started to pace.

Donzig: NLW thinks they dodged a bullet, NLW thinks they have managed to escape my grasp, NLW thinks they have spared themselves the touch of the Void!

His head tilted, and he sniffed before he shook his head.

Donzig: No, no, no.

He took a deep breath, and then his voice rose to a scream.

Donzig: Next Level Wrestling has only bought themselves time! Next Level Wrestling has only staved off the inevitable! Because the Harbinger of Death is still coming, the Bandit King is still coming, and I am still here! So they think they have managed to avoid Donzig? They think they have escaped Donzig? But no, no. They haven't!

Now the crowd was squarely cheering for Donzig as they were if nothing else faithful to SWAT. And Donzig paced the ropes, leaning on them as he glared at the camera as he stared from under his mask.

Donzig: NLW and their little leaders have only bought themselves a few sleepless nights! Because I am inevitable, eh? The Pride of SWAT is still here, boys.

Donzig nodded, and he tilted his masked head as he took a deep breath. His voice dropping back to it's normal growl as he waved a hand.

Donzig: I know you, and your little band of miscreants only feel relief that I am not coming there yet! But Donzig goes where, where Donzig wants! I am the Conqueror, eh? Bandit fucking king, eh? Death in High Places! And you will be seeing me soon, I promise you that!

Fulton: Strong words from the Pride of SWAT!

Tucker: Maybe he can stay in the South!

The fans cheered, and a SWAT chant erupted as Donzig slid back from the ropes. He started to pace again, shoulders rolling as he glared from under that skull like visage. He hissed, the mic lifting.

Donzig: NLW made the safe choice, they made the easy choice! They made the only fucking choice they could!

Donzig paused, and he raked a hand across the mask before he continued as his voice dropped again.

Donzig: And that choice is Dylan Black!

The name was spat, and the fans gave mixed cheers as everyone loves Dylan, right? Donzig nodded, and he waved a hand.

Donzig: Dylan Black is a lion, he is a warrior, and he is a great Champion. But what Dylan is not?

Fulton: Insane?

Tucker: Shut up, Fulton.

Donzig lifted a hand, and Sinclair nodded as she adjusted the Trios belt she held before Donzig continued.

Donzig: Is motherfucking Donzig! So listen up, Dylan! You may have won this day, and you may have dodged a bullet in Philadelphia, eh? Thanks to Isabel Rios!

A pause, and Donzig looked back to Sinclair.

Donzig: Whatever happened to her anyhow?

The Baroness shrugged, and the fans laughed.

Donzig: But Dylan Black, much like NLW? You are on borrowed time, the Void has whispered your name! So count your days, friend.

Donzig paused, and the fans were still chanting for SWAT as he took his title back from Sinclair. He placed it on his shoulder again, rolling his shoulder before he circled the ring once more. Then a hand lifts, waving arrogantly as he tilted his masked head.

Donzig: And if anyone in NLW, doesn't like it? I am not hard to find am I?

The mic is flipped towards Frank Salazar, and the fans cheer wildly as Donzig and Sinclair exit the ring.

Cut.

---

In the back we find the legend himself Scorpion walking the halls. He’s not due to be in the building tonight, but it’s a big night in NLW so of course he’s here. We watch him walking towards the camera and he stops abruptly and we hear off camera the voice of El Rey.

El Rey: You just couldn’t leave me alone huh?

We switch camera views to behind Scorpion now so we can see El Rey as he talks to his former mentor.

El Rey: You just couldn’t handle the truth that I don’t need you so you had to call your bestie Rob and get his little team involved. Well, Scorps, that’s the biggest mistake you made. My little group is better than Rob’s will ever be. Sure his little stooge may have lucked into your favorite belt, but my guy, Mr Rocketman, he’s the new X*Crown Champion now and that just the beginning for New Money.

Scorpion: Look kid. I like you and that’s the oh…

Scorpion stops in mid sentence as he falls forward to the ground and Nick Von Erich stands up over him. We switch to the camera view behind El Rey and show the incident as Von Erich snuck behind the camera and clipped the knee of Scorpion from behind his back. Back live the two young members of New Money are raining stomps down on Scorpion making sure he doesn’t get back up. We cut to the face of El Rey and he smirks.

El Rey: Maybe this will teach you to stay out of New Money’s business. Oh, and tell your friend Rob he should stay in Atlanta, and tell his friends this is no fight they want.

Dan Simmons: Can you believe that? Those two young men just ambushed a Senior Citizen!

Tommy West: He’s a professional wrestler, Dan, He should’ve seen it coming.

---

Marty Watts: The following contest is AN UNSANCTIONED MATCH!

The New Orleans crowd is cheering loudly with the match graphic appearing on the screens above the ring.

Marty Watts: This match has been both signed by the combatants of the match and the management of Next Level Wrestling, anything that does happen between bell to bell will not be held accountable by Next Level Wrestling itself--but to the combatants of tonight’s contest. The stipulations are as follows; if Scott Hampton is able to win tonight, then Jason Long will no longer be able to challenge for the XHF X*Crown Championship and if Jason Long is able to win tonight, then Scott Hampton will no longer be employed to Next Level Wrestling.

Again, the crowd cheer loudly and the chants for The King is heard echoing through the Avron B Fogelman Arena.

Marty Watts: Introducing first…

The lights within the Fogelman turn to darkness, leaving the entire arena to fall into silence as fans begin to pull their phones out of their pockets and shine the flashlights on their phones. The sounds of 'Intro.Destitute' hitting the speakers as the thudding beats are heard over the speakers, the screens flashing the rotting world as sirens are heard in the background of the thudding beats. After a few moments, the beats begin to grow louder and the sirens grow louder along with it. Then, silence. The screens cut to black. The lights within the arena continue to stay dark. Nothing is heard before the speakers let out a sound;

♫ ENTERING ANTI-ICON. ♫

The flashes of the rotting world soon fill the screen again after the sudden outburst of guitar strumming and loud drums are heard, between the flashes on the screen is the visual shots of Jason Long laying in defeat, laying in a pool of his own blood, laying dead against the earth before being shown flashes of a headstone with his name etched into it and the loud drumming soon comes to an end before we hear more speech;

♫ IT ALL STARTED WHEN YOU
IT ALL STARTED WHEN YOU
IT ALL STARTED WHEN YOU
IT ALL STARTED WHEN YOU ♫

Then… silence… and more silence… before...

Suddenly, the sounds of 'Hydrochloride' by Ghostmane are heard ripping through the speakers and the lighting within the arena soon comes to life to show Scott Hampton dressed in black denim jeans and along his body and even his face? The body paint representing the symbiote of Venom, black and white as it covered his face, neck, and his torso -- all the way down to his waistline. His eyes are wide open, looking out to the crowd within the Avron B Fogelman tonight, and observing the surroundings before he begins his slow walk to the ring.

♫ YOU'VE TAKEN ALL MY PAIN AWAY
AND GAVE ME SHINY CHAINS
YOU'VE TAKEN ALL MY DOUBTS AWAY
REPLACED IT WITH THIS SHAME
YOU TOOK AWAY ALL MY PROBLEMS
YEAH, YOU BET
AND THEN YOU GAVE ME A BRAND NEW SET ♫

Marty Watts: Wrestling out of Bristol, England and weighing in tonight at two hundred and fifteen pounds… he is the self-proclaimed Best Kept Secret of Next Level Wrestling… this is SCOTT… HAAAAMMMMMMPTOOOONNNNNNNNNN!!!

♫ I THOUGHT I WOULD RIDE THE HIGH SO HIGH UNTIL I CAN'T BE REACHED
BY GRAVITY
YOU WON'T CATCH ME
WON'T CATCH ME
EVERYONE EXCEPT ME
BUT I SOON REALIZED
THE RULES APPLY TO ME I'M SORELY MISTAKEN
ACHING NOW
TAKIN' OUT
ALL MY RAGE ♫

Keeping his slow melancholy walk to the ring at a constant pace, Scott slithers into the ring and once again begins to survey his surroundings, before springing back up to his feet and allowing himself to walk into his corner. There’s no flashiness of leaping onto the ropes or letting the crowd be hyped up, just walking into his corner and crouching down, his back turned to Marty Watts who stands back inside the middle of the ring after Hampton’s entrance.

Dan Simmons: Scott Hampton is heading into a war tonight to protect himself and to protect his new family -- but with the brand new attitude he’s had recently, he’s been a very content asshole with Jason Long and bringing the violence to a whole new level. Tonight could easily be his night if he can bring Jason down to nothing, if he can take down his former mentor and if he can become The Invincible that he’s been claiming to be.

The music soon fades away -- and Scott’s attention soon turns to the entrance curtain, awaiting his opponent for tonight as the New Orleans crowd continues to chant for The King.

Marty Watts: And his opponent…

A few seconds pass with nothing but silence before…

The crowd erupts with the sounds of ‘Kingslayer’ hitting the P.A. System as the house lights shine down onto the entrance curtain, signaling the arrival of The King--and they get their wish. Soon, the entrance curtain pulls back, and out steps Jason Long- a smile on his face as he soaks in that crowd reaction, the Project: Honor Prime Championship resting around his waist. Jason looks out to the crowd, keeping that smile on his face as he stands at the top of the ramp with his arms stretched out wide, the championships in his hands, soaking in all of the cheers that rain down onto him.

♫ HI, ARE YOU LOOKING FOR THE OTHER SIDE?
FEEL LIKE NOTHING EVER SEEMS QUITE RIGHT?
ARE YOU CIRCLING THE DRAIN PIPE, GETTING OFF ON PAIN LIKE
YOU'RE CORRUPTED?
I NEED TO KNOW WHERE YOUR LOYALTIES LIE
TELL ME, ARE YOU GONNA BARK OR BITE?
DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TWIST THE KNIFE
IN THE BELLY OF THE MONSTER? ♫

Jason unstraps the championship from around his waist and raises it up high for everyone to see, before handing it to a stagehand at his side, but instead of heading down to the ring, he does a one hundred and eighty degrees turn and heads back through the curtain, the music continuing to play as he does.

♫ GET THE FUCK UP, WAKE THE FUCK UP
WIPE THE SYSTEM, AND BACK THE FUCK UP
YOU'RE A PUPPET WHEN THEY CUT YOUR STRINGS OFF
DON'T COME CRAWLING BACK ♫

The curtain then opens back up and in his hands? His trustworthy Metal Baseball Bat -- wrapped in very sharp razor wire -- as he brings it close to his face and looks into the direction of Scott Hampton with that sick, twisted, and demented look on his face. A devilish grin and a crazed look in his eyes.

Marty Watts: Wrestling out of Wexford Town, County Wexford, Ireland and weighing in tonight at one hundred and ninety-five pounds… he is THE KING OF PROFESSIONAL WRESTLING… THE BEST BOUT MACHINE… THE PROJECT: HONOR PRIME CHAMPION… THIS IS JAAAAAASOOOOONNNNNNN LOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNGGGGGGGGGGG!!!!

♫ KINGSLAYER
DESTROYING CASTLES IN THE SKY
KINGSLAYER
FOREVERMORE THE APPLE OF MY EYE
I'D SACRIFICE MY LIFE TO FIND YOU
ANGEL OF THE FLAME
KINGSLAYER
COME AND COLLECT US FROM THE NIGHT ♫

Jason makes his way down the ramp, hitting the hands of every fan that reach out to him, as he looks into the ring and sees his opponent- a smile growing on his face as he touches down at ringside and circles around the ring, sliding across the ring apron on his right knee before turning his body and looking out to the crowd. Jason stands up on the ring apron, leaning back against the ropes and keeping his right arm along the top rope as he points out to the crowd and hastily makes his way into the ring and into the closest corner to him where he leaps onto the second rope.

♫ 暗い この見えない世界
まだ消えない未来
ただ手に入れたい ANOTHER WORLD
SYSTEM FAILURE
LIFE IS ENCRYPTED, GENOME MODIFIED
LIKE A VIRUS IN A LULLABY
ARTIFICIAL 'TIL THE DAY YOU DIE, SILLY PROGRAM
YOU'RE CORRUPTED ♫

Jason places his left foot on the top rope as he stretches his arms out once again with the championship in his hand, letting out a loud "YEAH!" to the crowd as he brings his arms down, placing the championship down onto the ropes below and slips out of his black leather jacket, throwing it down to the ringside crew and climbing up to the top rope before doing a backflip down to the mat where he nails the perfect landing. Jason turns to face Scott Hampton and then backs himself into the corner, waiting for the bell to ring.

Tommy West: Jason Long. The former XHF X*Crown Champion, Tag Team Champion, and multiple award winner. Along with a plethora of championships to his name -- this man is an absolute god inside of the ring and knowing what’s in store for him, what’s at stake for this match, he’s got to bring the fight of his life. Having to face a friend, a student of his school, and to make sure that he’s put in his place… this is a personal blood feud for the ages.

---

MATCH THREE
UNSANCTIONED MATCH
Jason Long vs Scott Hampton

---

DING! DING!

Both men look to one another, Jason keeping a grin on his face whilst the darkened out eyes of Scott Hampton are staring daggers right into The King - the former teacher - and with that, Scott Hampton lands the Shotgun Dropkick to Jason, sending him into the corner before he begins stomping him out, over and over again until Scott pulls away and finds himself back into the corner -- and seated, watching Jason bring himself back into his feet, and watching him charges in---ANOTHER SHOTGUN DROPKICK! Scott Hampton rolled back onto his feet and looks down at Jason with a snarling look on his face before he leaps through the middle ropes to go under the ring and look for weapons, pulling out a roll of light tubes and now a barbed wire board that he slides into the ring. Hampton leaps onto the apron and heads to the top rope and now tight rope walking, turning his back on Long--HE CAUGHT HIM! BRINGING HIM INTO THE CENTER OF THE RING FOR DEUS EX MACHINA---FLIP COUNTER! SNAP ROUNDHOUSE KICK! BICYCLE KNEE! JASON COUNTERS WITH HIS OWN! ICONKICK!-- DUCKED AND A ROLLING ELBOW FROM HAMPTON! THE KING HAS BEEN FLOORED!

Dan Simmons: These two are throwing the stiffest blows they could strike down with right now, this is a very personal blood feud between these two and I’m sure that they’re going to be throwing hellfire at one another until the other cannot stand on his own two feet anymore.

Hampton exits out of the ring once more and heads under the ropes, digging deep for some weaponry and even something to crack open the head of Jason Long, and what does he pull out? A couple of chairs, a kendo stick, and a table. The crowd continues to chuck abuse at Scott Hampton as he looks out to the crowd and stretches his arms out, mocking the crowd and getting them riled up. Scott turns around---and Jason Long comes flying through the ropes with a Suicide Dive! Jason slides back into the ring and he rebounds off of the far ropes to come back and fire off another Suicide Dive through the ropes! Hampton is sent right into the barricades and pushes them back from the sheer force of Jason’s push. Jason wants the trifecta of dives to happen and slides back into the ring to rebound once more, charging in with full speed--but Hampton leaps onto the apron and catches Jason with the Rope-Aided Gamengiri right to the face. Hampton leaps over the ropes and lands on the second rope on the inside of the ring--SPRINGBOARD MOONSAULT!

Tommy West: Hampton is showing a different fire inside of him tonight, bringing the fast pace to Jason Long who’s known for his own pace being something unmatched, and you have to wonder if trying to match up with it is a weakness or an advantage that Hampton will have over him.

Dan Simmons: But you look into the eyes of Jason Long and you can tell there’s a man that’ll do absolutely anything and everything to get the upper hand here tonight, and we’ve not even begun to use all of the things in the arsenal that’s left lying around here by Hampton himself. Can you imagine what it’ll be like with this stuff being used?

Tommy West: I don’t think I want to know but I’m sure we’re going to be seeing plenty of it here tonight, Dan. They’ve both promised bloodshed and if they’re true to their word? This match won’t be for the faint of heart.

With the King down on the mat, Hampton begins to crawl over and pick up the roll of Light Tubes that he slid into the ring at the beginning of the match, picking himself up and looking down at Jason bringing himself back up to his knees, he goes to swing it down onto his spine but Jason rolls out of the way and springs to his feet-- RIDER KICK! Down goes Hampton and dropping the roll of tubes in his hand, Jason kicks them out of the way but Hampton reaches over for something else behind Jason’s back---AND A KENDO SHOT ECHOES THROUGH THE FOGELMAN! RIGHT ACROSS JASON’S SPINE AND NOW HAMPTON IS HAMMERING DOWN THE KENDO SHOTS AS JASON TRIES TO ROLL OUT OF THE WAY, BUT HE’S JUST GETTING MAULED WITH EACH SHOT ALL ALONG HIS BODY! Jason finally escapes as he rolls out of the ring from under the bottom rope, and he’s looking as beaten up as you could expect with someone taken shots to the back like such, but before he even knows it... Hampton is heading out to the ring apron and looking to give chase to Jason -- opting to throw the kendo stick back inside the ring and chancing for the Penalty Kick--but he misses and Jason catches him into the Powerbomb positioning BEFORE DRIVING HAMPTON DOWN SPINE FIRST INTO THE GUARD RAILING WITH A POWERBOMB! HAMPTON LOOKS TO BE IN SHEER PAIN WITH IT--BUT THERE'S NO TIME TO ENDURE IT AS HE'S SENT OVER THE RAILING WITH A HEAVY LARIAT FROM JASON!

Crowd: FUCK HIM UP, JASON! FUCK HIM UP! FUCK HIM UP, JASON! FUCK HIM UP! FUCK HIM UP, JASON! FUCK HIM UP! FUCK HIM UP, JASON! FUCK HIM UP!

Dan Simmons: Jason may have found an opening he needed to keep Hampton down with that Powerbomb onto the guard railing and then lariating him over and into the crowd, it might be what he needed to let him breathe for a little before having to jump back onto the attack.

Tommy West: In a situation like this, he'll need it but I doubt he wants to give Hampton that bit of a breathing room, or even time to breathe in a situation like this, because he can come back stronger and harder than before if that's the case -- would Jason really take that risk?

Dan Simmons: It's a hard question to ask but he knows these situations like the back of his hand, he's been in a handful of hardcore or even unsanctioned matches in his time, this might be no different than those!

Tommy West: Of course not, look at what's been pulled out already. Barbed Wire? Light Tubes? Who knows what else is under that ring right now! There could be anything and everything in your wildest imagination under there and what will Jason do? He'll use every single one of them to prove a point.

As the crowd look to pick themselves up, along with Hampton, there's a light bulb moment happening inside of Jason's head as he leaps onto the apron and looks behind him to see Hampton bringing himself back up to his feet, he takes a deep breath and springs onto the second rope--MOONSAULT INTO THE CROWD! LANDING RIGHT ON TOP OF HAMPTON AND A FEW FANS! JASON IS TAKING RISK AND IS BEING GIVEN REWARD! A few of the fans that were knocked down are soon getting to their feet and so is Jason as he leaps over the barricade and sliding into the ring. He's clearly got something cooking in that mind of his as he looks back down to the crowd and watches carefully for Hampton - who's not moved from the aerial assault - but that's not stopping Jason anytime soon as he begins to see movement from Hampton and turns to the ropes opposite of him, beginning to rebound but then rebounding again, and then again off of the same ropes and again, continuing to rebound until Hampton is back up to his feet and that's when Jason takes one final charge towards the ropes... SPRINGBOARD... TOPE CON HILLOOOOOO! KNOCKING DOWN AN ENTIRE COUPLE OF ROWS IN THE CROWD ALONG WITH HAMPTON! AT LEAST THIRTY PEOPLE WITHIN THE CROWD ARE DOWN, BEING KNOCKED DOWN LIKE DOMINOS, AND THE NEW ORLEANS CROWD ARE LOVING EVERY SINGLE MOMENT OF IT!

Dan Simmons: Rising EVERYTHING into this match - even putting the fans at risk here tonight - and that's how this match will go from zero to a hundred in less than thirteen minutes! Jason Long, the King, has shown how hard he'll throw his body into the wall before he could stop!

Tommy West: Well, neither man is moving right now and some of the fans are struggling to stand back up after the dive to the outside from Jason, so now it's looking like a true collision course out there in the crowd.

Dan Simmons: ...that was corny. Never do that again.

But no less than a minute after the fact, Jason begins to stir and is grabbing onto the hair of Scott Hampton to pull him out of the rubble of the fans and drag him over the guard railing, back to the ringside area where he picks Hampton up--but Hampton slides down the back from the Powerbomb lift, capturing Jason with a Hook Kick from behind, and dropping Jason with a Suplex onto the floor below! Hampton's body paint seems to be soon fading away, along with the paint on his face and leaving his blacked out eyes within the look -- and Hampton goes back under the ring again, pulling out more rolls of Light Tubes from underneath the ring, a least a bundle of four or five he's slid into the ring before bringing himself back in. With Jason still on the outside of the ring, Hampton looks to be setting up something for Jason once he's back into the ring with him covering the mat with the bundles of Light Tubes. Soon, Jason's back up onto his feet and Hampton slides out of the ring, throwing Jason back in and bringing him into the corner. Long is placed up onto the top rope and Hampton climbs up to the second, looking back down to see where the Light Tubes are for the trajectory of what might be a Superplex as he brings the arm over his head and begins to lift--but Jason has his legs wrapped around the turnbuckles, holding on for as much as he can right now. Hampton begins rocking Jason with the Hammerfists down onto the spine to loosen him up, arm over the head and lift---or so he thought because Jason is now lifting himself and bringing Scott up onto his shoulders in the Fireman's Carry position, he's got his sights on the Light Tubes below and the fans know what's coming next, lifting up Scott AND DROPPING HIM DOWN WITH THE FALLEN KINGDOM ONTO THE LIGHT TUBES! A LOUD CRASH LANDING THAT HAS BOTH MEN REELING IN PAIN! WINCING AS THE GLASS OF THE TUBES IS INJECTED INTO THEIR SKIN! BLOOD SEEPING THROUGH AND POURING OUT! BUT JASON IS CRAWLING OVER... HE'S GOT THE LEG HOOKED!

ONE!

TWO!

THR--

Dan Simmons: A KICKOUT! A KICKOUT! Somehow, someway, Hampton was able to kick out from the Fireman's Carry Emerald Flowsion off the top rope and down onto the light tubes! That looked absolutely painful to watch.

Tommy West: Just look at them after that, they look to be in a state right now, I can't even imagine how long that Scott can keep up with this kind of violence when we all know what kind of thresh hold that Jason has with his pain.

Jason has fired the first shot of the bloodbath and looks to be continuing in such as he moves to the outside of the ring and heads under the ring--and what does he pull from under the ring? Multiple sheets of glass. All stacked on top of one another, tied together and pulling out more chairs. Jason begins to stack the chairs on top of one another and placing the sheets of glass panes up on the chair stack before leaping onto the apron---but Hampton somehow found his way to his feet this whole time and leaps over the ropes with the Hurricanrana-- but Jason caught him, holding him up and looking to Powerbomb him down through the panes of glass-- Hampton, however, slips down the back and lands a Superkick that stuns Jason long enough for him to set him up for a Tiger Driver--- Jason's arms slipped free and HE COUNTERS WITH A CANADIAN DESTROYER ONTO THE APRON! Hampton falls flat onto the apron before being kicked into the ring by Jason and set up in the corner in the seated position, The King brings the barbed wire board over and places it onto Hampton-- but he kicks him away before he could! Hampton follows up with a Shotgun Dropkick that sends Jason into the corner and with the barbed wire board over him, this gives Hampton an opening on the other side of the ring where he begins to climb to the very top rope and looks to he seeking a Coast to Coast --- but it doesn't happen as Jason pushes the board off of him and charges the corner, climbing all the way up to the top and looking for a Springboard Hurricanrana--BUT HAMPTON HOLDS HIM IN THE AIR, HOLDING HIM IN THE POWERBOMB LIFT, LIFTING HIM UP AND TURNING AROUND TO THE OUTSIDE... HAMPTON JUST POWERBOMBED JASON LONG TO THE OUTSIDE AND ONTO THE STACKS OF CHAIRS AND GLASS PANES!

Tommy West: JESUS FUCKING CHRIST ALMIGHTY! WHAT THE HELL DID WE JUST WITNESS?! WHAT THE HELL DID SCOTT HAMPTON JUST DO!?

Dan Simmons: SCOTT HAMPTON JUST POWERBOMBED JASON LONG FROM THE TOP ROPE DOWN TO THE FLOOR BELOW, THROUGH THE SHEETS OF GLASS, ONTO THE STACK OF CHAIRS, AND HAS LEFT HIMSELF AND JASON IN A BLOODIED MESS! THIS HAS TAKEN A MASSIVE TURN FOR THE WORST!

Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!

Tommy West: THESE FANS ARE LOVING EVERY MOMENT, DAN! THEY'RE SOAKING IN EVERY SINGLE WINCING MOMENT THAT THESE TWO BRING TO THE TABLE!

Hampton, being the first to move from the two, grabs a handful of Jason's hair and pulls him into the ring -- and that's where we see the extremities of Jason's injuries off of the Powerbomb. His back has been sliced open in multiple areas, the blood pouring down his back as Hampton drags Jason to his feet, holding him by his facial cheeks and spitting in his face before hooking both arms and lifting him up into the Canadian Backbreaker hold... Spinning him down... INTO THE STORM ZERO! THE STORM ZERO! JASON'S OLD FINISHER! HAMPTON PERFECTED IT! AND NOW HE'S GOING TO MAKE THE PINFALL, HE'S GOING TO HOOK THE LEG AND IT MIGHT BE THE END HERE! THE REFEREE MAKES THE COUNT!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE--

JASON KICKED OUT! JASON KICKED OUT FROM THE STORM ZERO! SCOTT CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HE IS SEEING! HE CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED! AND NOW HE'S GOING TO PUT THE FINAL NAIL IN JASON'S COFFIN, HOOKING THE ARMS ONE MORE TIME AND LIFTING HIM---NO! TWIST AROUND! INTO THE SINGLE ARM UNDERHOOK! LIFT INTO THE AIR! BRAINBUSTER! DARK HARVEST! TRANSITION INTO THE PIN! THE COVER!

ONE!

TWO!

THRE--

AND THIS TIME IT'S SCOTT THAT KICKS OUT! BOTH MEN ARE DOWN, LAID OUT ON THE MAT, AND THE FANS ARE ON THEIR FEET! ALL FOUR THOUSAND FANS ARE STANDING IN OVATION!

Dan Simmons: THE ARENA HAS BECOME UNGLUED, THEY'RE INVESTED INTO THIS MATCH! Jason Long and Scott Hampton are bringing the blood shed here tonight and they're bringing the fans onto their feet in excitement over this fight! If they keep bringing this kind of violence, I think they'll be making that decision of life or death.

The King is the first to his feet, but he's staggering a heavy amount and barely able to keep his balance right, but he's able to tumble over to the Barbed Wire Wooden Board in the corner, and sets it up between the bottom rope and the mat. Hampton is also back to his feet, feeling the same effects of Jason but he's able to gain his balance and grab onto Jason, pulling him into the middle of the ring and looking to plant Jason down with the Tiger Driver--but Jason's able to back body drop Scott down to the mat with the remaining glass shards of the light tubes! Jason drops down to one knee and Scott soon brings himself back to his feet again, seeing Jason in a vulnerable spot as he leaps onto the ropes and springboards back---CAUGHT! HAMPTON WENT FOR LOST CAUSE AND LONG CAUGHT HIM! WRIST LOCKED IN AND SPUNNED AROUND... DISCUS LARIAT COMING... KINGMAKER---DUCKED THE LINE! SCOTT RUNS TO THE ROPES! LOST CAUSE CONNECTS! THE SPRINGBOARD CUTTER PUTS DOWN JASON, LONG ENOUGH FOR SCOTT TO REACH INTO HIS POCKETS--- HE'S GOT A PIZZA CUTTER! HE'S GOT A PIZZA CUTTER! HE'S GOT THE PIZZA-- SUPERKICK! GERMAN SUPLEX! THAT'S SAVANNAH SUNSHINE! SHE'S OUT HERE TO STOP THE CARNAGE FROM GOING TOO FAR! AND NOW SHE'S STOMPING OUT SCOTT-- OH! HE SLASHED HER ON THE LEG! HE SLASHED HER ON THE LEG! JASON'S WATCHING IN HORROR AS HE LIFTS HIS HEAD! JUST IN TIME FOR SCOTT... DEATH BY DISHONOR! THE TIGER DRIVER '98 FROM SCOTT HAMPTON AND SPIKING HER HEAD DOWN TO THE MAT WITH SHEER FORCE BEHIND IT!

Tommy West: THAT WAS SICKENING! Scott Hampton just struck personally with Jason, he just struck the one person he loved, the one person he puts everything into and Scott just said "fuck you" for it! What a sickening, sorry, son of a bitch!

Dan Simmons: But look at Jason's bloodied face! Look at that look in his eyes, he's going into a dark place and I don't think Scott wants to turn around and find that right behind him! Scott better start running for his life if he ever wants his future child to know him!

Jason slowly but surely brings himself back to his feet and there's a stern look in his eye, the crowd know damn well what that look is and they damn well know what's going to happen next.

Crowd: JASON'S GONNA KILL YOU! JASON'S GONNA KILL YOU! JASON'S GONNA KILL YOU! JASON'S GONNA KILL YOU! JASON'S GONNA KILL YOU!

AND JASON IS STRIKING RIGHT FOR THE HEAD! PALM STRIKES! STIFF ELBOWS! FOREARM STRIKES! SPINNING BACK ELBOWS! LARIATS! SCOTT IS HOLDING HIS GROUND BUT JASON BEGINS FIRING OFF SOME CLINCH KNEE STRIKES AND IT'S WEAKENING SCOTT DOWN! MORE KNEES DRIVING RIGHT INTO THE SKULL OF HAMPTON, AT THE SIDE OF HIS HEAD, RIGHT INTO THE TEMPLE AND HAMPTON IS CHOOSING A FATE WORSE THAN DEATH BY KEEPING HIMSELF UP! JASON REBOUNDS OFF OF THE ROPES NOW... VANITY KILLER! VANITY KILLER! THE PUNT KICK CONNECTS AND JASON AIN'T DONE, HE'S TWITCHING! HE'S CONVULSING BUT HE'S STILL STANDING! BUT HE'S GOT HAMPTON WITH A DOUBLE UNDERHOOK AND INTO THE CANADIAN BACKBREAKER LIFT! HE'S GOT HIM UP IN THE AIR AND HE'S ABOUT TO DROP HIM WITH... THE STORM ZEROOOOOOO!!!!! THE COVER! THE COVER! THE REFEREE BEGINS COUNTING!

ONE!

Crowd: ONNNNNNEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

TWO!

Crowd: TWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

THREE!---

Crowd: THRRRREEEEEEEEEEE---NOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

Dan Simmons: HOW DID HE KICK OUT!? HOW DID HE KICK OUT!? JASON LONG HASN'T HIT THE STORM ZERO IN OVER A YEAR AND NOW HAMPTON KICKED OUT OF IT LIKE THAT!? AFTER FOLLOWING THE VANITY KILLER?!

Tommy West: I... I'm in shock and awe right now. I can't believe that just happened and he's able to kick out like such.

Dan Simmons: I don't know how much is left in Hampton's tank but you'll be damn sure to know it's running empty right now with all of this happening.

Tommy West: If Jason can keep up with it, he'll be able to finish Hampton within the next few minutes.

Jason looks down onto Hampton and sees the ending coming near, he's got this match under control if he can lift Hampton up for a Deus Ex Machina or even the Kingslayer for the win. The crowd are on their feet and they're shouting for Jason to put down Scott Hampton, the New Orleans crowd are begging for Scott Hampton's death -- and Jason obliges for them -- but he's struck with a Low Blow! Hampton struck Jason with a low blow! The Best Kept Secret is about to make himself the most known man right now with the arms hooked and lifting him into the vertical position... DEATH BY DISHONOR! JASON SPIKED INTO THE MAT JUST LIKE SAVANNAH---BUT HE'S BACK UP! HE'S BACK UP TO HIS FEET IN AN INSTANT! HE JUST SHOT OUT OF NOWHERE AND BACK ON HIS FEET FROM THE DBD! SCOTT CAN'T BELIEVE IT! HE CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT HE'S SEEING---KNEE STRIKE! AND NOW JASON LONG WILL GO FOR THE FINISH! THE KILLSHOT! THE END GAME! ARM HOOKED, INTO THE TOMBSTONE POSITION, SPIN AND DRIVING HAMPTON DOWN WITH THE KINGSLAYER! THE KINGSLAYER! IT CONNECTS!

Dan Simmons: KIIIIINGSLAYYYEERRRRR!

Tommy West: NOBODY HAS EVER KICKED OUT OF THIS MOVE BEFORE! AND I DON'T THINK THAT IT'LL HAPPEN TONIGHT!

Dan Simmons: THE REFEREE DROPS DOWN FOR THE COUNT! THE LEG IS HOOKED!

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

Tommy West: YES! YES! SCOTT HAMPTON IS DONE--

Dan Simmons: NO HE'S NOT! NO HE'S NOT! RACHEL HAMPTON JUST PULLED THE REFEREE AWAY AND COSTED JASON HIS WIN!

Jason looked down to his feet and sees Rachel Hampton holding onto his feet--and he kicks her right in the face! Knocking her back!

Tommy West: Jason has just lost every ounce of respect for humanity by kicking a pregnant woman down!

Dan Simmons: I think something has clearly snapped inside of him, this is serious now, this is really serious, and Rachel needs to leave ringside as fast as she can right now.

That stern look from Jason onto Hampton is a haunting sight and the fans are continuing to enable this violence from Jason, as he drives his knee to the side of his head and continues to do so and continuing to strike right at the temple of Hampton. Rachel is eager to step back into the ring but she knows the state that she's in right now is not a good thing to be doing. Jason drags Hampton up to his knees and takes a few steps back... DEVIL TRIGGER! Hampton drops down into a slumped position and again, Jason begins dragging Hampton over to the corner where the Barbed Wire Board, dragging him back up onto his feet and looking to pick up Hampton for the Deus Ex Machina--but he counters, sliding down behind and pushes him away! Jason twists around and charges in---FINAL FLASH! FINAL FLASH! SPINNING HOOK KICK! SPINNING HOOK KICK CATCHES JASON OFF GUARD! HAMPTON HAS FOUND A SECOND WIND! HE'S GOING TO LIFT JASON UP AND HOVER HIM OVER THE BARBED WIRE BOARD-- BACK BODY DROP COUNTER! Hampton springs back to his feet but Jason catches him--T-BONE SUPLEX! RIGHT THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE BOARD! RIGHT THROUGH THE BARBED WIRE BOARD!

Crowd: THIS IS AWESOME! (clap clap clapclapclap) THIS IS AWESOME! (clap clap clapclapclap) THIS IS AWESOME! (clap clap clapclapclap)

Dan Simmons: Jesus Christ almighty, when will all of this end? When will all of this end?

Tommy West: I have no idea, I thought it ended with the Kingslayer but of course, that didn't go according to plan.

Dan Simmons: They're both covered in blood, even the body and face paint that Scott Hampton walked out with tonight is completely gone and washed away with his own blood, his own sweat, and his own tears of pain.

Hampton has been left stuck in the barbed wire and now the referee looks to be helping Scott be pulled out from the barbed wire- but Jason knocks him out of the ring and he's going out to the ringside area, heading back under the ring and he pulls out a wrestling boot - much like his size footing - and on the bottom of the boot? The sole covered in razor blades. Jason looks to climb onto the ring apron and take off his right boot, replacing it with the one with the razor blade sole. The King, eager to test his new boot, heads back into the ring and waiting inside for him? Rachel Hampton. She's standing in front of Jason and begging for it to end, begging to stop Jason to stop the violence, begging for him to stop the match right now. But Jason simply nudges her to the side as Hampton pulls himself out of the rubble of the barbed wire. Jason lines up the shot... ICONKICK MISSED! ROLL OUT OF THE WAY--OH JASON HIT A SPINNING HOOK KICK WITH THE RAZOR BLADED BOOT! SLICED HIS RIGHT CHEEK! AND NOW THE ICONKICK FOLLOWS! RAZOR BLADES GOING RIGHT INTO HAMPTON'S FACE!

Crowd: HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT! HO-LY SHIT!

Jason falls down and soaks in the thought of how far he's taking this, a slight bit of panic as he watches Rachel hover over her husband with tears in her eyes and holding the bump of her stomach. She's pleading Scott to put an end to this match---JASON! JASON! HE'S BRINGING RACHEL UP INTO THE ELECTRIC CHAIR POSITION! THE HEAD HOOKED AND LOOKING DOWN AT SCOTT WITH A SICK, TWISTED SMILE ON HIS FACE! DEUS EX MACHINA! DEUS EX MACHINA! JASON JUST DROPPED RACHEL HAMPTON WITH THE ELECTRIC CHAIR DRIVER! THE CROWD ARE STUNNED IN SILENCE. THEY ARE STUNNED IN FUCKING SILENCE. EVERYONE WITHIN THE ARENA IS.

Dan Simmons: ...oh my god, he did not.

Tommy West: He just... he drove a pregnant woman down to the mat with Deus Ex Machina.

Dan Simmons: I don't... I'm just... What the fuck has snapped inside of Jason Long right now? To pull that kind of move? To pull that kind of sickening twist?

Tommy West: Someone has to check on Rachel, if anyone's listening right now, please come out and get Rachel out of the arena, get some medical help out here now.

Scott watches in horror as Rachel Hampton is left laying on the mat and completely out of it, the medical staff come down to ringside but with Jason guarding Rachel? They can't get to her, they can't do anything for her, and Scott is trying to bring himself to his feet -- AND HE SPEARS JASON THROUGH THE ROPES! THEY'RE FIGHTING ON THE OUTSIDE AND SCOTT IS LIVID! HE'S SNAPPED! HE'S WANTING TO BEAT THE SHIT OUT OF JASON LONG FOR WHAT HE DID!

Dan Simmons: OH IT'S ON! IT'S ON! SCOTT HAS SEEN ENOUGH! HE'S SEEN WAY TOO ENOUGH!

As both of those fight on the outside, the medical staff rush into the ring and help Rachel to be brought back to seek medical help backstage. But on the outside of the ring and continuing to fight, Scott is throwing Jason into the guard railing and now back into the ring. Mounting on top of him and absolutely bashing into his skull, just striking those forearm shots into the face and battering and bruising the face of Jason Long. Hampton is bringing that knee right to the head of Long and just keeping him down before bringing him up to his knees, that's when Hampton strikes with those head kicks and knee strikes to the head, absolutely concussing Jason right now with the amount of head traumatizing strikes. Hampton brings himself back to his feet and is chucking every single thing that's inside of the ring to the outside, all that's left is the heavily blood stained canvas and the two competitors that stared this match. Scott grabs onto the arms of Jason and drags him over to one of the corners of the ring and climbs to the top rope, looking down onto Jason - who hasn't moved an inch - and Scott leaps DRIVING BOTH FEET INTO THE SPINE OF JASON LONG WITH THE STORM BREAKER! DOUBLE FOOT STOMP DOWN ONTO THE SPINE!

Dan Simmons: Jason didn't even move after that Storm Breaker from Hampton, he didn't even react to it, I think he might be done with -- his body is done with the punishment!

Tommy West: That's a worrying sign of the end times, he can't let Hampton take this away from him, he simply cannot allow this to happen.

Hampton walks over to the ropes and picks up a left over light tube from the bundle earlier in the match, examining the light tube and looking around at the crowd absolutely booing Hampton right now. The crowd are thinking the same thing, they see the ending coming soon after that Storm Breaker, and now Hampton brings his foot under Jason's chin -- lifting Jason's head up and bringing him up to his knees. The King looks up, the bloodied face is a haunting sight for Hampton to see as he drops the Light Tube.

Jason Long: You're... nothing without me... and you know it.

Scott begins to snarl.

Scott Hampton: I never fucking needed you. I never ever fucking needed you.

Jason spits right into the face of Hampton and that was enough for Hampton to land the final blow, grabbing both arms and driving the knee to the skull with a Kamigoye and now hooking both arms... looking for Death By Dishonor---KNEELING PILEDRIVER! KNEELING PILEDRIVER! JASON'S THRONEBREAKER! THE THRONEBREAKER! AND NOW HE'S PICKING UP THE LIGHT TUBE AND HOISTING UP JASON INTO THE ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER HOLD!

Scott Hampton: VAE... FUCKING... VICTIS!

VAE VICTIS! ARGENTINE BACKBREAKER DROPPED INTO A KNEE LIFT AND THE LIGHT TUBE SMASHING RIGHT BETWEEN THE KNEE AND THE FACE OF JASON LONG! THE KING DROPS FLAT DOWN ONTO HIS BACK AND HAMPTON FALLS DOWN ONTO THE COVER! THE FANS ARE BOOING THE HELL OUT OF HAMPTON, THROWING ALL KINDS OF TRASH INTO THE RING AS THE COUNT IS MADE!

Dan Simmons: NO! NO!

ONE!

Tommy West: COME ON, JASON! ONE LAST PUSH!

TWO!

Dan Simmons: NOT LIKE THIS, JASON! PLEASE DON'T LET THIS HAPPEN!

THREE!

Tommy West: GOD FUCKING DAMMIT. JESUS CHRIST.

DING! DING! DING!

'Hydrochloride' echoes throughout the Fogelman and the fans have become livid, they're chucking everything they can get their hands on as Hampton brings himself to his knees and bringing his hands out. Soaking in the crowd's nuclear-negative reaction.

Marty Watts: HERE IS YOUR WINNER... THE INVINCIBLE... SCOTT HAAAAAAMPPTTOOOOOONNNNNN!!!

Scott continues to gloat the crowd as they continue to chuck trash into the ring and the carnage surrounding the ring, and even inside of the ring, is shown clear as day as Hampton exits out of the ring and limps all the way out to the back -- with security surrounding him in the instance if someone jumps the guard railing and look to jump him.

Dan Simmons: This might be the most bloodiest fights that Next Level Wrestling has seen. Nothing but an all out bloodbath. A fucking war for the ages. Highly, one of the most hardcore matches that there is.

Tommy West: It's up there, definitely with the likes of the Violence Trio Triple Threat match at The GUNS Show but tonight was all about Scott Hampton, being able to keep his place on the roster and putting a halt on the legacy of Jason Long for two whole years.

Dan Simmons: I'm sure there's going to be a definite choice of words from Hampton in the weeks to come, and maybe even from Long but that's for another time, let's settle order around here and clean things up before the next match.

One final shot of Scott Hampton gloating the crowd is seen before the feed soon fades into a quick commercial break.

---

The crowd is still buzzing as the camera switches to the backstage area; they pop loudly when Betsy Granger’s smiling face comes into view. The AWF Prestige Championship is draped over her shoulder as she gives the camera a challenging grin.

Betsy Granger: You didn’t think I’d miss the opportunity to be here tonight, did you? Just because they weren’t smart enough to book me doesn’t mean I should deprive the amazing fans of my presence!

This statement is backed by a raucous roar of approval from the crowd that causes her smile to split her face.

Betsy Granger: As much as I’d like to say this was just a pleasure visit, there’s a piece of business that needs discussing. A certain challenge has been thrown my way recently, one I’ve remained silent on as I conferred with my most trusted counterparts on the subject. To be fair, it was hardly a meeting at all; once the notion was put on the table, there was only one conclusion to be made.

She turns her head slightly and looks down at the Prestige Champion, stroking her finger over the nameplate. Looking back up, the Impossible Traveler has a fire in her green eyes.

Betsy Granger: Zoran… Pepe… Whatever the hell you call yourself these days. You’ve got a lot of hot air to expel and a challenge to throw my way. Perhaps you’ve mistaken my silence on the matter as some sort of agreement to your meaningless words. Worry not, amigo, Betsy Granger doesn’t back down from a challenge.

This draws another loud pop from the crowd, but her smile fades as she leans into the camera. Her expression grows intense and her voice takes on a hard edge.

Betsy Granger: Is this the best you can come up with to draw me out? Disappointing, but unsurprising for a ‘man’ like you, and I call you that loosely. You have an awful lot to say for a coward who had to resort to stabbing my best friend to go over. Congratulations, guy, nobody was impressed. Also, while I appreciate your distorted views on my relationships, I’ll kindly ask you to keep the bullshit to a minimum. If you wanted to call me out for a challenge, all you had to do was ask politely. There was no need to try and get into Eddie or Adam’s head when it’s clearly Betsy Granger you want. But not to worry, compadre; I’ll make you eat every syllable soon enough. WHEN Adam and I tear our way through the Tag Team Annihilator, we’ll take what should have been ours at Clash of the Icons. The Bang Bros barely escaped with their belts, a mistake Impossibly Awkward will rectify soon enough.

She slips the Prestige belt from her shoulders and holds it up high.

Betsy Granger: If you want this, you’re welcome to try and take it from me. But you’ll find that I won’t play as nice as Adam… Nor do I stay as calm and collected as Adrien... And I won’t reason with you as kindly as Eddie. They are the untarnished, impossible kind of wholesome that this industry sorely lacks. They represent the underlooked good guys that very rarely manage to make a name for themselves. Men like those three are the ones young people should look up to as role models and mold themselves after.

Betsy Granger: But I… I am the chaos that follows when Adam’s sense of fairplay fails and the chips are down. I am the storm that is willing to destroy what’s in her path to achieve the greatness I seek. I am the one who would rush in and do what is necessary where Adam would hold back due to his moral code.

Betsy Granger: You should have been much more thorough with your research, bro, because I am not like the others. I will not hesitate to tear your head clean off your neck and smile as the blood gushes from the hole.

The Impossible Traveler gently sets the title belt back over her shoulder.

Betsy Granger: You want the Impossible Traveler at CRUISERFEST for MY Prestige Championship? Congratulations, you mouthy mofo… You’ve got her.

The crowd pops once more at this news as Betsy sticks her hand in the camera and walks away, ending the moment.

---

We cut to the office of BB Gunn. The NLW General Manager is stood behind his desk with a large, wide metal briefcase placed in front of him. It’ll come as no surprise that he’s sporting a full, beaming smile as we’ve come to be used to in the past nine months.

BB Gunn: What a night! What. A. Night! Our third Pay Per View offering has not disappointed so far, and with the G1 Final, as well as the Southern States and Heavyweight title matches up next, hoo boy I may have to go to Bourbon Street later and party with the rest of you!

He laughs, there’s a swagger about him, even more so than usual.

BB Gunn: I stand here before you guys knowing tonight’s our last night at the Fogleman, and I’m not going to dwell on it because we need to make sure every bit of real action is savoured. However, there’s something I want to announce tonight, because as you all know, after tonight we’re on the road to our first year anniversary as well as our biggest night of the year: Homecoming II. And on this road there’s going to be a battle for what’s in here…

He looks down and places a hand on the case.

BB Gunn: What I have in here, it’s been something people have been begging me to bring here for months, and I’ve heard them, I’ve heard them and at Homecoming II we will crown our first ever…

Gunn opens the case and lifts the lid, which shows off two brand new, identical tag team championship belts.

BB Gunn: …NLW Tag Team Champions!

He smiles and steps back.

BB Gunn: These titles will be contested by eight teams, four of whom will be in action at Ascendancy XX, as The Academy and The New South team up against The Time Jumpers and the Tilted Cartridges. The other four? I’ll announce them in two weeks’ time. It will be a straight knockout competition, which will culminate with the final at Homecoming II, and the winners will be the first ever champions.

BB holds his arms out as if he’s taking in applause.

BB Gunn: I know, I know…I’m too good to you guys!

He laughs, clearly joking.

BB Gunn: But seriously folks, enjoy the rest of the night, when I see you next, we’ll all be in new digs, because as always, we’re taking it to the Next Level!

The camera slowly zooms in on the new tag team titles as we fade out.

---

Marty Watts: The following contest is scheduled for one fall! And it is for the N! L! W! Southern States Championship!

The crowd begins to cheer.

Two massive thuds echo out through the arena, before an ear-piercing roar echoes through the speakers. Suddenly, the lights in the arena go down, and a massive spotlight illuminates the entrance ramp, where a figure stands with their back to the crowd. The harsh synthetic noise that opens 'Forever' plays out through the arena as the 'tron lights up with Graham Baker's titantron, and the Gaijin Kaiju swings around, throwing his hands out to a mix of cheers and boo's from the Nola crowd. Baker jaws shit at fans who are against him and bumps fists with those who support him as he makes his way to the ring, throwing himself up onto the apron and brushing his boots off.

Marty Watts: Introducing first! Wrestling out of London, England! Weighing in at two hundred and fifty pounds! The Corsair King! Graaaaaaayhaaaaam BAAAAKER!

Baker slips over the top rope and into the ring, throwing his jacket off and leaving it on the ropes. He presses his fist into his chin with a cocky smile before falling into a corner and awaiting his opponent.

Dan Simmons: Former Southern States champion himself and no stranger to multi man matches. Matter of fact, it's how he won that title at Hostile Intent in a King Of The Mountain match!

Tommy West: Yeah well it's also how he lost it, Dan. To the man walking in as champ tonight, Lazarus Arjen.

"One, two, three, four!"

The rest of the band joins the guitar as Adam Sanders emerges behind the curtain. The fans give the Awkward One loud cheers as the spotlight follows his trek towards the ring.

Marty Watts: And introducing, from Grand Rapids, Michigan! Weighing in at two hundred forty pounds, he is the Awkward One... ADAAAAM SSAAAAAANDEEEERS!!

"Well, I won't be caught living in a dead end job
While praying to my government guns and gods
Now it's us against them, we're here to represent
And spit right in the face of the establishment!"

Sanders walks up the stairs, walks down the apron a bit and puts both arms in the air. The fans continue to give loud cheers for the Awkward One as he steps between the top and middle rope to enter the ring. He steps on the opposite turnbuckle, the chorus of the song becomes the backdrop for him to hop back into the ring.

Tommy West: Part of me has to side with Arjen on this one. Adam Sanders had a good showing in the G1, making it all the way to the semi-finals against MYOJIN. But does that really make him ready for this match?

Dan Simmons: Adam Sanders won his End Of Days briefcase fair and square, Tom. Frankly, if anybody can outlast two of the heaviest hitters in NLW tonight, it'd be Adam.

The venue quiets in anticipation of Lazarus Arjen. A familiar siren is heard over the P.A. system. Before the first siren could finish, screams - terrified, bone chilling screams were filtered into the audio belonging to both a male and female. This mixture of sirens and screams lasted approximately nine seconds before ...

"WATCH THE BODIES DROP!"

Those words were screamed through the P.A. system before the metalcore guitars, bass and drums take over. Alpha Wolf's "Akudama" takes over the venue with it's aggressive music and lyrics. The cameras begin to sway around the crowd looking for the Champ. The cascade of boos turns its attention to the western side where Lazarus Arjen walks through the jeering audience, Southern States Championship slung over his shoulder like a fresh kill. He hopped the barricade and surveyed the two men inside vying for his title. His eyes scanned the venue for a brief moment before he slid in underneath the rope. Lazarus quickly popped up to his feet and moved to the ropes facing the hard camera. He intensely threw his upper body onto the top rope with his arms spread wide. His eyes stared intently while he shouted something incoherent into the crowd.

Dan Simmons: Violent, angry and damn sure malevolent. Arjen won that title belt by braining David Goon right in the skull. Now he's out to prove something, he said he wants to put Baker and Sanders in the ground tonight.

Tommy West: It's all about making a statement. Arjen is twenty three years old, hasn't even hit his prime yet. All he wants is to carve out his place in NLW, sometimes that means getting some blood on your hands.

There is an uncomfortable air as Arjen and Baker stare at each other piercingly from their respective corners in the ring. The Southern States Championship is held above the referee's head before he hands it to an official outside and the bell rings.

---

MATCH FOUR
NLW SOUTHERN STATES CHAMPIONSHIP
Lazarus Arjen © vs Graham Baker vs Adam Sanders

---

The second this happens, Arjen and Baker charge one another and begin hammering each other's heads with hard rights, throwing out all notions of technique and strategy out the window. Adam walks behind both men and watches for a second, his confused expression clear on the hard camera. Trying to figure out where to insert himself in the brawl for a few moments he simply shrugs. Adam bounces himself on the ropes and runs towards both men who turn just in time to get hit square in the chest with a dropkick from Sanders! The force knocking them both into and over the ropes where they spill to the outside!

Tommy West: Arjen and Baker's hatred runs deep! But, give him credit, you never take your eyes off anyone in this business, least of all Adam Sanders!

Dan Simmons: That's right, the former AWF Pres- LOOK OUT!

Wasting no time, Adam throws himself into the ropes again where he bounces off and towards Arjen and Baker on the outside. In seemingly the last possible second he throws himself legs first between the ropes and catches both men in the head with yet another flying dropkick, though the landing was clearly not soft for Sanders either.

Dan Simmons: A high flyer Adam Sanders is not, but with competitors like these and a title on the line, you've gotta dig deep if you want the win!

Taking this advice on board, Sanders does his best to ignore the pain of his landing and grabs Arjen by the hair. Rolling him back into the ring and covering him as fast as possible.

ONE!... KICKOUT!

Tommy West: "Not gonna be that easy!" Says Lazarus Arjen!

Kicking out almost on instinct, Arjen still seems dazed by the sudden aggression shown by Sanders. For his part, Sanders seems unfazed by the immediate kick out and is already dragging Arjen back up to his feet and drapes his arm over Sander's neck in a suplex position.

Dan Simmons: Sanders, possibly setting up This Is Awkward!

Tommy West: OH!

An unrefined but no less brutal running elbow to the back of Adam Sanders stops his attempt short, as well as crashing his head into Arjen's. Baker catches Sanders by the arms to keep him from falling however and follows up with a devastating dragon suplex! His durability has him already back in the fight. Baker turns his attention to Arjen who is attempting to force himself back to his feet. Graham stops this by grabbing Arjen's head and forcing it between his legs, before lifting him up and slamming him back to the mat in a powerbomb that causes the mat to shudder! Baker holds onto Arjen's legs and rolls him forward slightly into an immediate pin attempt.

ONE!... T- KICKOUT!

Only slightly less immediate though with no less vigour, Arjen kicks out again! Baker has clear annoyance on his face but wastes zero time rolling Arjen back onto his knees and lifting him up for another no doubt brutal maneuver. However, Arjen bats his hands away as he gets to his feet and delivers a swift kick right to the groin on Baker! Sending the Gaijin Kaiju to the floor clutching his midsection in agony.

Dan Simmons: No dq in a triple threat match, and that suits Lazarus Arjen just fine!

Tommy West: You don't take any chances when you're the Champ, Dan. The squeakiest good guy knows it, and a violent punk like Arjen knows it too.

No doubt enraged by how the early goings have gone for him, Arjen makes a beeline towards Sanders and starts delivering a few brutal driving elbows straight to Sanders neck. Even still, Sanders attempts to fight through and get to his feet but Arjen pushes him into the corner and lights him up with an overhead chop to Adam's chest that echoes through the arena. Lazarus runs to the opposite corner and then runs back towards Sanders, building a head of steam and crashing into The Awkward One with a beautiful spinning wheel kick! Adam goes down but Baker is up once more and delivers a few sudden right hands to Arjen. He pushes Lazarus into the ropes for an irish whip which Lazarus reverses midway through, throwing Baker towards the ropes instead. Baker bounces off and runs back towards Arjen, he rears his arm back... PUMPING BOMBER LARI- NO! Arjen sees it coming and just barely ducks beneath and catches Baker under his arm, lifting him up and planting him on the floor with an uranage!

Tommy West: Just a few seconds too late from Lazarus Arjen and we might very well have been looking at another Southern States reign of Graham Baker!

Dan Simmons: When you hate each other as much as those two men do, it's easy to imagine both men's plan here tonight is to pin the other instead of Sanders.

Speaking of Sanders, he returns to the fray dramatically enough that the crowd lets out a huge pop.

FLIGHT OF THE DRAGONITE!

Adam's flying clothesline catches Lazarus perfectly across the neck. Sending him flat on the mat, only momentarily however as Adam drags him up yet again, determined to make sure the champion stays down this time. Unfortunately Lazarus uses this momentum against Adam and drives himself up suddenly, causing his head to crash right into the jaw of Sanders. The audience cringes as Sanders teeth smash into each other.

Dan Simmons: God! Adam's jaw just got shattered by Arjen and blood's already beginning to seep from his mouth!

Tommy West: You can bet Lazarus will love that...

Lazarus tosses Adam to the outside with a sick smile clear on his face. He turns into a run and delivers a basement dropkick to the head of Baker to ensure he stays down, before deftly sliding back to his feet and towards the ropes where Sanders waits below. The Depraved throws himself over the ropes with a diving crossbody that would be almost beautiful if it weren't for the murderous intent of the man performing it. Adam looks up to see Arjen filling his vision. Holding out his arms, Sanders manges to catch and drop Lazarus into a powerslam right on the floor. The sound of flesh against concrete causes some of the front row fans to wince. Adam lays there for a few seconds before getting up to one knee and trying to wipe away the blood from his mouth.

Adam then grabs Lazarus' tights and begins pulling him up and forward towards the announce table. Simmons and West go wide eyed and duck for cover as Sanders tosses Arjen clean over the announce table, clearing the monitors and landing painfully in a heap beneath the desk. As Sanders sucks in air and moves to inspect the damage he is spun around by Baker who blasts him with a hard right hand. Graham throws several more devastating punches that bounce off Sanders' head and leave him flat on his back over the table. Baker gets interrupted as Lazarus rises from beneath the table clutching one of the announcer's chairs, he tosses it overhand at Baker who stumbles backwards as it slams painfully against his chest. This sudden distance allows Adam to take a run up towards Baker and deliver a front dropkick right to his chest, sending Graham backfirst into the steel steps!

Returning to his feet, Sanders tries to turn his attention back to Arjen and cut him off. Unfortunately for Adam, Arjen has already climbed on top of the table and leaped towards Sanders. This time Arjen's flying crossbody connects and flattens Sanders down onto the concrete floor. With both his adversary's down, a sick smile spreads across Arjen's face. He tosses back the apron and pulls out a table to a cheer from the crowd, quickly setting it up horizontally against the side of the ring. The Violent Artist isn't done however and disappears under the ring again for a few moments longer this time. The crowd erupts in a mixture of bloodthirsty cheers and boo's as Lazarus appears once more, his smile widening further as he holds up a steel pipe.

Dan Simmons: Oh dear god, Lazarus' got that pipe! We've seen what he's capable of when he used to cave in David Goon's head!

Tommy West: LOOK OUT!

Arjen turns to swing with every ounce of strength he's capable of. At first it looks poised to crack against the skull of Adam Sanders, but Sanders throws himself to the side just at the last second! Instead the pipe crashes against the forehead of Graham Baker! Causing Baker to crumple in an instant, landing back first atop the steel steps as blood already begins to seep from his forehead and mask his face.

Tommy West: Ladies and gentlemen make no mistake, Graham Baker is a tough man. But I believe this match has come down to two!

Dan Simmons: Good god what a sound that pipe made against the skull of Baker!

Admiring his handiwork for the briefest of seconds costs Arjen, as he turns to try and take out Adam once again, he is greeted with a stiff boot to the gut. Adam grabs Arjen's hair and slams him face first against the table. Lazarus though, fired up from taking Baker out of the contest, fires back on Sanders as he rises with an elbow across his jaw. Both men trade blows until Lazarus takes the upper hand with another elbow to the still bloody mouth of Adam Sanders. He then grabs Adam's arm and prepares to suplex him through the table but, reversal! Adam blocks it with some hard right hands to Arjen's ribcage. Reeling and clutching his chest in pain, Arjen creates an opening for Sanders to grab the metal pipe and drive it right into the gut of Arjen.

With Lazarus doubled over on the floor, desperately trying to suck air back into his body. Sanders grabs Baker and rolls him back into the ring. Sanders himself is a little slower to get into the ring with all the damage taken and having to move all two hundred and fifty pounds of Baker's dead weight. Eventually however, Adam is able to turn Baker over and drape himself atop for the cover.

ONE!... TWO!... NO!

Arjen, body between the bottom ropes, grabs the referee by the foot and pulls him out of the ring before he can make the three count. He slides in himself, pipe in hand, with murderous intent. As Adam rises to meet him, Lazarus strikes Sanders in the side of the head with the pipe, causing him to collapse much like Baker.

Tommy West: And folks that is it right there. We have witnessed the southern states champion retain!

Arjen pins Sanders but immediately notices the referee still outside the ring struggling to his feet. Enraged, he yells at the referee to hurry up. Looking back at Adam and slowly lifting him back to his feet to take him out for good. Lazarus slowly and methodically lifts Sanders up and hooks both of his arms to deliver his Metamorphosis DDT. He smirks and uses his leg to slide the steel pipe where he plans to drive Adam's head into. Before he can deliver the move however, Sanders legs seem to give out from the punishment and he collapses to his knees. Arjen seems almost disgusted by this pathetic display and is about to pull Sanders back up for his finish. Wait! On seemingly nothing but pure determination, Sanders rises up with fire, lifting Lazarus up with him and planting him down on the mat with a spinebuster!

Dan Simmons: I don't believe it! Sanders is up and fighting!

Tommy West: Sims, if I hit a guy in the side of the head with a steel pipe as hard as Arjen did, and he got back up? I'd run.

Adam moves to Baker, pulls him up and gets him into a suplex position!

THIS IS AWKWARD!

The crowd roars in approval as the ref struggles under the bottom rope and begins the count.

ONE!

TWO!

THR-

Arjen breaks it up!

The Depraved hits Sanders with a nasty kick to his head right where he delivered that shot with the pipe. He attempts to grab and throw Sanders over the ropes to the outside but Sanders holds on! Grabbing Arjen and pulling him over the ropes as well, both men stood on the apron trading blows.

Tommy West: Sanders is still fighting! With damn near everything thrown at him, Arjen can't keep him down!

Dan Simmons: All either man has to do is take out the other and pin Baker! But neither man refuses to quit!

The blows become slower and more sluggish as the pace of the match and the pain sustained has clearly taken its toll on Sanders and Arjen. The strikes begin to move in Sanders favour as he slowly speeds up his punches more and more, stunning Lazarus and leaving him unable to mount a comeback. With Lazarus Arjen reeling, Adam lets out a yell that causes the crowd to chant his name as he pulls the southern states champ close for a lariat to knock him off the ring. As Lazarus is pulled close however he, with clear desperation, hits out with a sudden elbow to the damaged side of Adam's head one more time! Knocking The Awkward One off balance just enough for Arjen to follow up with a running slingblade, sending both men crashing to the floor and putting Adam Sanders through the table outside!

Dan Simmons: Every man is down!

Tommy West: Not every man, Dan. Look!

The camera catches the taped hand of Lazarus Arjen, rises up and clutch the ring apron. He pulls himself up, his free arm holding his back after a particularly nasty landing. He slowly but surely pulls himself under the rope stomach first and begins to claw his way towards the still unmoving Graham Baker.

Tommy West: That's it! Arjen has done it!

Dan Simmons: YOU'VE GOTTA BE KIDDING ME!

The crowd becomes unglued as the hand of Adam Sanders holds on to the leg of Lazarus Arjen. Adam is barely on his feet and clearly dazed but refuses to give in! Arjen turns and faces him with some mixture of annoyed confusion, before his other leg rears back and kicks Sanders in the head. Still The Awkward One holds on! But one more kick from Arjen breaks his hold and knocks him back to the floor.

Lazarus desperately scrambles towards Baker and drapes an arm over his chest.

ONE!

TWO!

THREE!

[Winner: Lazarus Arjen via pinfall at 19:22]

DING DING DING!

Marty Watts: Here is your winner, and STILL Southern States Champion! Laaaaaazaruuuus ARRRRRJEEEEEEEN!

Dan Simmons: Lazarus Arjen barely, and I mean by god barely, picking up the victory here tonight. You have to wonder, if Baker hadn't been knocked for six, could Arjen have kept Adam Sanders down for the three count?

Tommy West: It's really irrelevant now, Dan. Arjen is STILL the champ, accomplishing everything he said he was going to here at Collision Course!

Akudama by Alpha Wolf blasts through the P.A. system once more as Arjen crawls to the bottom rope and drapes an arm over it. He grabs the Southern States championship out of the referee's hands and presses it against his chest. Beaten down, but victorious.

---

Felix: Donzig…

The camera turns to show Felix glaring into the lens with cold anger in his eyes, like a drawn blade gleaming in the morning light.

Felix: You didn’t get picked to fight for the NLW championship, much like myself, but instead of taking it as a sign you must learn more and grow, you decided to dishonor both yourself and wrestling by complaining about not being chosen... claiming to be worthy while proving you aren't.

Felix shakes his head, his manner like one would expect from a samurai hearing of disrespect done to his lord as he glares into the camera again.

Felix: I normally would have dismissed your words as the ramblings of a fool, but you made one error. You called out the network I owe my loyalty to. You disrespected the place that took me in and gave me a chance to become a better warrior, a better person. Even worse, you did it on another network, hiding like a coward. For that, I can not forgive you. I challenge you to a duel on NLW, the very network you tried to dishonor. Come face me ‘Conqueror’. Try and conquer me.

Felix snorts, shaking his head before turning away, the camera focusing on the oriental wolf tattoo across the whole of his upper back as he walks away with a parting line.

Felix: That is... if you aren’t the coward you seem to be.

---

Backstage, a door...The door opens to show Al Jabroni bouncing on a trampoline.

Al Jabroni: I’m not booked…I’m not booked… I’m not bo-

The door quickly closes and the camera moves to another part of the hallway where we find The Academy, Leon Chant and Riley Richards, they were talking but the activity behind the door seemingly got their attention, Chant looks a bit disgusted, Richards more innocently intrigued. Chant shakes his head and looks at the camera.

Leon Chant: So there's going to be tag team titles? And we're in? Of course we are, but that's not what I want to talk about right now. I want to talk about New Money, El Rey and your boys. 

He sneers.

Leon Chant: The way I see it? You're lucky boys, Gunn kept us all apart two weeks ago but he knows that in the XHF that never lasts, and let me tell you, we would like to make it sooner rather than later. 

Riley Richards: Hey Leon, just thinking out loud, El Rey is an NLW employee anyway...so hypothetically if we wanted a match with him...

Leon Chant: We could push for that any time. Good point Riley! The only downside is El Rey probably won't go anywhere now without his boys, so as long as they keep holding hands together we'll have to wait it out...that is...unless you boys get involved in this tag team tournament.

He grins.

Leon Chant: Yeah, that's the answer here. New Money, you know where we are...as the cliche goes boys, it's time to put your money where your mouth is. You know where to find us.

They leave and we cut back to ringside.

---

“A SPECIAL PLACE IN HEEEEEEEE-E-E-E-ELLLLLL!"

The lights flash green as the riffs to Reid Henry’s hit new single hits the PA system, uplifting and electric! The curtains between the wrestling word and gorilla open up and Dylan pushes his way through them! He pauses, posing for the crowd before strolling down the ramp ever so casually.

Marty Watts: And making his way to the ring, from Boston Massachusetts! Standing at 6'3" and weighing in at 218 pounds, he is “The Messiah of Mayhem,” DYLAAAAAAAAAAN BLAAAAAAAAAACK!

Dan Simmons: Well partner, we've got used to seeing Dylan coming out second, this is the first time he enters an NLW ring as a challenger!

Tommy West: I think we shouldn't get used to it either, Simmo!

Dylan rolls under the bottom ropes and holds his hands up in the ring, creating a small lightning arc! He gestures in the boos from those in attendance and just gives off the biggest smirk before he slinks into his corner.

The lights dim in the arena and cast the arena in a red glow, and for a moment -- only a moment -- the crowd quiets down just a smidge. The drum riff opening that carries into an aggressive guitar breaks out as "Black Lungs" by Architects blares out on the speakers. This brings the crowd to their feet -- both in a positive and negative reaction, completely mixed.

♫ DO YOU CROSS YOUR HEART WHEN YOU HOPE TO DIE?
ARE YOU SLEEPING DEEP IN A HURRICANE?
IVs IN THE ARM, FORGETTING TO FEEL
WE'RE CRAWLING ON ALL FOURS ♫

Just before the first line of the song, Finn Whelan has appeared not from the curtain, but from one of the visitor's entrances. He stops at the top of the steps for a moment, a slight smirk on his face as he glances at the people around him, and then sets his eyes upon the ring down below. He makes his way down slowly, ignoring the people around him though a few clap him on the shoulders as he descends.

Marty Watts: And his opponent...coming in at 6'4 and 202lbs, he is the NLW Heavyweight Champion, "The Seattle Saint", FIIIIIIIINN WHEEEEEEEEEELAN.

♫ YOU WANNA MAKE YOUR HELL A REALITY?
BLACK LUNGS FOR THE YOUNG IF THEY DARE TO BREATHE
WHOA, SURE SOUNDS LIKE HEAVEN TO ME
YOU GOTTA CUT THE ROOTS TO KILL THE WEEDS
NO PLACE TO GO IF WE DON'T BELIEVE
GOOD LORD, IT'S ENOUGH TO PLAGUE A SAINT ♫

Dan Simmons: And here's the champion, the man who stunned NLW, and quite frankly the world when he defeated Tommy Kelly at Eve of Champions!

Tommy West: Let's not forget why!

Dan Simmons: He still had to put Kelly away, no matter what the circumstances were. Let's be honest they were toe to toe all throughout the match, and I expect no different here!

At the barrier, he slings himself over and slides immediately underneath the bottom rope and leaps to his feet in the center of the ring. He heads directly for the ropes in front of him, and hops up onto the bottom one, bouncing slightly as he looks back at the crowd, choosing a few choice words to share with them. He drops down from it, and pulls off his vest as he heads to his place against the turnbuckle, leaning into it as his music fades out.

---

MATCH FIVE
NLW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP
Finn Whelan © vs Dylan Black

---

With the crowd creating a constant buzz, both men methodically march their way out to the centre of the ring, arms half extended anticipating the other to attempt to strike first. They circle each other, eyes locked in, not even trying to blink in order to ensure they don’t lose any early advantage. They both lunge forwards in unison, locking up and trying to out manoeuvre the other. Whelan slips through after an initial period of stalemate and manages to get a rear waist lock on the challenger early. Black combats it with a elbow towards the champions face, but Whelan timed the sway of his head, evading the blow. Black fires off a another to attempt to clobber Finn, but once more a sway of his head has him evading the blow with relative ease. Finn lifts up The Messiah, looking to slam him, but Black manages to get himself back grounded. Black goes for another elbow, but feints it, baiting Whelan to bob and weave and the champion takes that bait, allowing Dylan to connect finally with an elbow to loosen the grip of Whelan. Dylan reaches for the hands of Whelan to break the hold, but with a quick popping motion, Finn heaves Dylan over himself with a release German attempt, but Black flips out and lands on his feet! Dylan waits for Whelan to get back up and charges at him, Whelan ducks the clothesline attempt and catches the former X*Crown champion from behind, dropping him with a neckbreaker!

Dan Simmons: Woah! Both have each other well scouted, we thought this would come down to fine margins and this completely backs that theory up!

The champion doesn’t want to give Dylan any room to breathe it seems, he moves to the side of Dylan and starts working stiff elbow after stiff elbow into his head, which Dylan does well to put a guard up and take most of the sting out of. Black fights back and blocks what he can, but some of the final attempts make clean contact which hushes the crowd slightly, perhaps not anticipating Finn to be this vicious despite showing glimpses so far in his NLW career. Whelan lets up, but only in bringing Dylan back to his feet before dropping him immediately with a picture perfect sit out full Nelson atomic drop. Dylan bounces off the canvas towards the ropes, but the champion knows he can’t allow any respite, and slaps on a crucifix armbar, alas, Dylan is by the ropes and immediately grabs onto them, causing the referee to enforce a rope break.

Tommy West: I have to give the champion credit, I didn’t expect him to start this way, but you have to feel that Dylan is ready to pounce on any mistake.

Whelan brings Dylan back to his feet and sends him to the ropes, and drops his head looking for a body drop, but Dylan stops and punts him in the face! Whelan pops back to a vertical stance with a dazed look, and Black heads back to the ropes for another attack, but Whelan surprises him with a discus lariat to put his opponent back down. The kick clearly did some damage, as he takes a moment to shake the cobwebs out, and this allows Dylan Black back to his feet, albeit slowly. Whelan looks for a boot to the gut but his foot is caught, Dylan flips him back but the champion lands flush on his feet, and tries to charge at The Messiah, but Black catches him with a robotic right hook which catches the champion on the chin! Whelan’s momentum takes him a couple steps forward before his knees buckle and he flops onto the second rope! Dylan sees him prone and vaults over the top rope, onto the apron and plans a kick to the face which pops Whelan back to the middle of the ring. Dylan waits patiently for him to get back to his feet, and when he does he springboards off the top rope, back into the ring and flattens the NLW Heavyweight champion with a springboard shotgun DDT! He covers One…..Two……No! Whelan kicks out!

Tommy West: There we go, that’s why he was X*Crown Champion! He’s got such a killer instinct, one error and he’s in!

A light nod, knowing it wasn’t likely going to be enough, Black returns to his feet, pulling Whelan up with him. The challenger sends Whelan towards the ropes with an Irish Whip, the champion comes charging back and receives a hiptoss for his troubles, Black holds onto the arm and wrenches at it with Whelan in a seated position, sensing danger he shimmies to the ropes and quickly forces the break, Dylan reluctantly lets go but stays on his case, grabbing the champion and whipping him into the corner, he runs at Whelan and dives, planting his shoulder into his opponent’s gut, which causes Whelan to yell out in pain. Dylan simply whips him to the opposite corner and attempts it for a second time, but Whelan has enough about him to sidestep him and send him shoulder first into the ring post!

Dan Simmons: First big mistake from Dylan black! That could be a painful one as well!

Whelan catches his breath before dragging Black away from the corner. Black is clearly favouring his shoulder as Simmons indicated. Whelan sees this and grabs the arm, twisting it and wrenching it to force the shoulder to jolt and cause Dylan further distress. Knowing he wasn’t in much of a position to defend himself, Whelan pulled his opponent towards him and swiftly threw him into a cradle piledriver position, connecting and making the cover! One…..Two….No! Kickout from Dylan Black!

Tommy West: It’ll take more than that to take black out, we all know by now when it comes to the big stage you’ll have to throw a house on him to stop him!

Dan Simmons: Pretty sure that would kill him, partner.

Tommy West: It’s a metaphor you idiot.

No time wasted for Whelan, who following the kick out manoeuvres himself like a spider around the challenger and locks in a gogoplata. Much like before though, Dylan quickly wriggles to the nearby ropes and forces the break, neither man being able to score a meaningful submission hold as yet. Dylan rolls onto the apron and gets back to his feet from there, and Finn looks for a big right hook after he gets back to his feet. Dylan sees this coming and blacks the hook, headbutting the champion who stumbles back to the middle of the ring. Once again Dylan looks for a springboard attack, but Finn drops to one knee and puts a gut punch into the challenger to double him over! Whelan goes for a fameasser but Dylan recovers enough to sidestep, Black attempts a discuss lariat but Whelan ducks and goes for a superkick which Dylan in turn manages to avoid just in the knick of time. Whelan tries to launch once more at Dylan but the challenger hoists him up and drops The Seattle Saint face first into the ropes for a stun gun!

Dan Simmons: Both of these guys are doing such a good job of avoiding so many dangerous attacks, this really could be about who get’s the first major strike!

Whelan flops backwards, getting back to his feet while clutching at his throat. Black seems to think that now is the time to up the ante, firing off a knife edge chop, followed by a mid kick, and a uppercut, another mid kick, a low kick, palm strike, chop, and finally hitting a discus elbow that knocks the champion down! Whelan falls, but Dylan doesn’t stop there, after a quick pause to check his hurt shoulder, he brings him back up to his feet and applies a hammerlock, which he shifts into a hammerlock DDT. Whelan is hurt, and Dylan knows it, The Messiah shifts his position on the ground and with Whelan in the centre of the ring he applies a crossface! The champion instantly groans in pain and his hand instinctively shoots out towards the ropes in front of him, but he was way too far away. Finn has no other option but to start clawing his way forward, but Black pulls back on the hold harder and harder, putting more of his weight into it. Whelan sees his opportunity and as Dylan pulls again he uses the momentum of the pull and manages to roll them over, getting Black pinned on his shoulders! The ref counts it, One…..Two….No! Dylan releases the hold to kick out.

Dan Simmons: Dylan had no choice but to give that hold up, a smart move on Whelan’s part with nowhere to go!

Tommy West: But how much damage is done? Now they’re both operating with hurt shoulders!

Black quickly hops up after the sneaky pinfall attempt as the champion remains on the ground in pain. The challenger grabs hold of Finn and hauls him up to his feet. Dylan then tosses Whelan over the ropes, attempting to force the NLW Heavyweight Champion to the floor below. Finn lands on his feet, though possibly more from instinct than anything else, but Dylan doesn’t worry, he hits a bicycle knee strike to send him crashing and burning on the outside!

Dan Simmons: Oh my word! Disasterpiece from Dylan Black!

Black drops and rolls out of the ring to collect the champion, knowing full well that a count out victory doesn’t force the gold into his hands. He assesses the champion and seemingly deems him pretty incapacitated. Indeed, he looks like quite the dead weight as he hauls him back up and into the ring, he climbs back into the ring after him and covers Whelan, who isn’t moving that much. One….Two…Th-no! Close but no cigar! Dylan gets back to his feet and takes a moment to assess the champion, who despite the kickout doesn’t look like he’s about to move too quickly. Dylan leans over to bring him back to his feet, but Finn was playing possum! He grabs his arm and looks for a kimura lock!

Tommy West: Woah, woah! Look out Dylan, he’s after the Underdog!

Indeed he is, but Dylan still has his feet on the matt, and smartly rolls out, both men get to their feet and Black looks for another Disasterpiece, but Whelan dodges and catches him with an enziguri! Dylan drops to a knee, stunned from the impact and the champion springs back up, and drops him with a curbstomp!

Dan Simmons: Seattle Terror! Cover! One…two….th-nooooo! Black kicks out!

Whelan’s cover wasn’t a strong one which probably helped Dylan out here, and both men rolled away from each other instinctively, but neither was getting up in a hurry, which meant the referee began to count them out. One, two, three…Dylan is on his front and using the ropes to support him. Four, five, six, Whelan is doing the same at the other corner of the ring. At seven both men are up enough to halt the count, but both are a little wobbly and don’t attack immediately. They eventually stagger towards each other and exchange chops, which turn into exchanging forearms, neither man is getting any advantage, although the space between each forearm is getting slower as damage accumulates. Black takes a chance and goes for a Clothesline - that Finn ducks! Gripping Aaron Black’s waist from behind, Whelan sends Black flying with a German Suplex! Whelan rolls over and lifts the two men back up to their feet, all while maintaining the hold. Whelan lifts him again, slamming him back down to the mat with a second German Suplex! He bridges for the pin! One…two…th-NO! Dylan rolls out of the bridged pin!

Dan Simmons: These two are giving it everything now, it’s time to see who has that second, third and fourth wind!

As if he used everything on the toss, Whelan remained down with Black. After a few big lungful’s of air, the champion makes his way back up to his feet. Whelan picks Black up hoists him onto the turnbuckle, Dylan is seated with his back to the ring and Whelan starts to ascend to join him.

Tommy West: What the hell is he thinking here Simmo?

Dan Simmons: I…I think, yes, he’s looking for a tiger suplex off the damn top rope, he wants to put this to bed!

Dan Simmons is correct, Whelan is up and after the arms of Black to try and hit an avalance tiger suplex, but Black flings an elbow up, and a second which subdues the champion enough, and Dylan, ever the improviser grabs the champion’s head. He takes a deep breath, before launching back, connecting with an avalanche style sliced bread cutter which brings the crowd to their feet in disbelief!

Dan Simmons: What in the damn hell?!

Tommy West: That could have damn well killed him!

Such was the risk and impact, Black doesn’t make a cover, and rolls away from the champion who firmly crashed and burned in the move. The referee once again has no other choice but to administer a ten count. One, two, three, four, five…

Dan Simmons: I hate to say it but we could see a double count out here partner!

Six, seven…

Tommy West: Not so fast!

On eight, Dylan sat up, and Whelan rolled over to get on one knee, and on nine both men hauled themselves up as if they’d risen from the dead. If you looked at their expressions you’d be forgiven for thinking that at least, both men were close to empty. Dylan was slightly fresher, and he looked for a shotgun dropkick, but Whelan stumble-avoided, taking solace against the ropes and moving around the ring as Dylan dropped to the mat. Black slowly hauled himself back up, and Whelan pounced, hitting a slingblade.

Dan Simmons: Fenian Rising!

He placed an arm over Black for the pin. One….two…thr-NO! Dylan rolls a shoulder up! Whelan can’t believe it and neither can the crowd!

Tommy West: Dylan lives! Dylan lives!

Whelan places his hands on his head and grimaces, but he knows he has to keep going, so drags The Messiah up with him, albeit in a very laboured way. He starts to put Dylan in a pump handle position, looking for Revelation 6:4, but Dylan throws and elbow up and knocks him back. With his back turned, Dylan hits a dropkick to his back which forces him forward and onto the second rope, Dylan’s eyes light up and he rushes over, he grabs the champion’s feet and hits a wheelbarrow facebuster, and just like we’ve seen so many times before he converts straight into a wicked stepsister!

Dan Simmons: Dynamic Outro, just like that Dylan hits it!

Tommy West: We gotta new champ!

He makes the cover, one…two……..thre-NO! What?! How the hell did Finn get his shoulder up? It doesn’t matter, the champion is still in this and the crowd are hot!

Tommy West: Are you kidding me? How?!

Dylan Black is asking the same question, and asking questions of the referee, who is happy to tell him he was happy with his count speed, and to get on with the match. Dylan growled but got on with things, and he knew one way to put the champion away, he started stalking Finn, who didn’t look like he knew where he was, he boots him in the gut and calls for Ragnarök, but Whelan dump tackles him to the ground and with his hands still on his legs, flips into a bridged pin attempt. One….two….no! Dylan pushes out! The two men scramble back to their feet, Whelan seemingly having his tenth wind, pops his boot into the advancing Dylan and looks again for Revelation 6:4, he lifts him but Dylan flips up and over his shoulder, landing behind him on his feet, he spins Finn around and boots him, and again looks for Ragnarök!

Dan Simmons: This could be it! Wait a minute!

The champion counters with a back body drop! He drops to one knee, but can’t stay there for long because Dylan isn’t staying down for too long either. Whelan waits for Dylan to approach and hits a Pele kick, Black stumbles back and bounces off the ropes and straight back towards a rising Whelan, who doesn’t hesitate…

Tommy West: Watch out Dylan!

Revelation 6:4! Connects this time! Centre of the ring!

Dan Simmons: He’s nailed it, cover!

One….two……three!

[WINNER: Finn Whelan via Revalation 6:4 at 25:33]

DING DING DING!

Marty Watts: Here is your winner, and STILLLLLLLLLLLLL NLW Heavyweight Champion, FINN. WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEELAN!

Dan Simmons: What a war! Dylan Black comes up short tonight, but both men can be certain that they gave this everything!

Tommy West: I can’t believe it, Finn Whelan is showing that he’s the real deal! No distractions, no mind games, that was a win against one of the Network’s best!

Whelan rolls away and sits in the corner where his title is returned to him and his arms raised. He stares at Dylan who is slowly coming back around and gingerly sits back up. He locks eyes with Whelan, and the two share an acknowledging nod, before Dylan exits the ring, allowing Finn to slowly get to his feet and celebrate.

---

Felix is seen walking through the back, clearly ready to head out of the arena. His luggage rolling behind him as he makes a turn down one of the empty hallways. And then comes a bellow, and a solitary form hits him from the side. Fists fly and Felix is flung into the wall, stumbling forward to be grabbed once more before his head is bounced off some stacked equipment crates. The fans watching in the arena boo and grumble, and then the figure shoves back it's hood to reveal the wild snarling features of Donzig as he stares at Felix who starts to rise. Then he charges forward, driving a knee into his head to batter him back into the crates. He stalks back and forth, hand raking at his beard. But Felix once again, starts to rise to his feet with his hands coming up in defense before him as he shakes his head groggily. Donzig's eyes widen, and then he let's out a growl before he barrels back in. Throwing stiff rights, before he grabs Felix's arm to whip him down the hall. Felix bounces over some crates landing on the floor beyond, and Donzig stares down at him after kicking the boxes from his path.

Donzig: You want a match? Oh, you've got a fucking match!

The fans in the arena boo, and Soutter appears on the scene as the sound of people approaching echoes down the hall. He glances over his shoulder, muttering before he looks back to Donzig with a wave of his hand. But Donzig's eyes were staring at Felix who once again forcing himself to rise, shaking as he found his hands and knees. He shook, trying to stand before Donzig spat before he came in once more. Driving a few sharp knees into his ribs, before he hauled him upright by his hair as he fumed.

Donzig: You should have stayed down!

Donzig draws back, and plants Felix with a stunner that leaves him sprawled on the concrete. The shouts grow louder, and referees are running down the hall as Donzig motions angrily to Soutter. A black length of cloth is unfurled to reveal a flag emblazoned with the SWAT logo, and Donzig threw it across Felix as he backed away with the SWAT owner.

Donzig: Tell NLW, that the inevitable is upon them at Ascendancy.

The camera focuses in on the downed Felix for a moment before it cuts to ringside.

---

Dan Simmons: And now, everyone... the time has come for our main event. At Hostile Intent, what many thought to be BB Gunn's last act as NLW GM was brought to life with the G1. He wanted to ensure that there was a piece of NLW's legacy that the now-departed Joe Blow could not touch, and the end result was nothing short of amazing.

Tommy West: Eight talented men from NLW and beyond answered the call. Established stars and legends in the making, tag team specialists and men who have always stood alone--the entrants in our first ever G1 were as varied as they came, but every single one of them came into this with one goal in their sights; win the G1 and become the number one contender to the NLW Heavyweight Championship.

Dan Simmons: El Rey, Ricardo Goon, Big Bone, Waylon Kirk, Ryan Young, MYŌJIN, Felix, and Adam Sanders were the brave souls who answered the call. They were split into two groups of four, with Group A featuring Felix, Ryan Young, Waylon Kirk, and MYŌJIN while Group B was composed of El Rey, Big Bone, Adam Sanders, and Ricardo Goon.

Tommy West: And when the dust cleared, the round robin bouts were completed, and the semi-final twist was done? The finalists were set as MYŌJIN overcame Waylon Kirk to secure Group A's spot and Ricardo Goon bested Adam Sanders to lay claim to Group B's spot... and that leads us to now. Take it away, Marty!

The camera cuts to where Marty stands in the middle of the ring. A deep breath and the ring announcer does what he does best.

Marty Watts: Ladies and gentlemen, it is time for the G1 Final, and it is scheduled for one fall!

The lights go out for a few moments, the arena pitch black. Smoke begins to arise from the stage as the music's distorted melody begins to rise. The song grows louder as a red spotlight gives the smoke a hellish appearance before it begins to dissipate while the lighting around the arena gives a red hue once more, now revealing an individual standing with their back facing the audience-, sitting in a throne until they dramatically turn around, revealing themself as MYŌJIN- the Shining Star cosplaying as Yuji Itadori/Sukuna from Jujutsu Kaisen, dressed in an all black Japanese school uniform with a red hood protruding. Short, spiky pink hair with black sides and red eyes and black facial markings.

Marty Watts: Introducing first, weighing in at 165 pounds, from San Diego, California, they are the winner of Group A... MYYYYYYYYYYYYYYŌŌŌŌŌŌŌŌŌJIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIN!

The song starts playing harsh guitar riffs with loud drums as they simply smile, holding their arms out as the audience gives a positive reaction- before they step from the throne, and begin walking down the ring as the music's build up ends and the music starts going with energetic lyrics.

Trust takes years to build
All bonds need that
Can't skip chapters
Your battle is my battle
We fight together
We're a team (One team!)

There's no fear in chasing
There is fear in being chased
We need come from behind every once in a while
Just to do it!

They climb up onto the apron, looking around while undoing their jacket- revealing their bare chest, covered with similar fake tattoos and tribal markings as their face- receiving loud approval from the NLW fans who were by now very familiar with the wrestler. They then climb up onto the top turnbuckle, throwing the coat to the side while raising their fist high- a confident smile on their face as they look around the many filled seats while the music reaches a climax- the strings playing a blood-pumping, catchy melody from the anime they based their attire off of. MYŌJIN backflips gracefully down, landing on their feet. The Shining Star, currently channeling the King of Curses, walks to their corner, excitedly moving as they're ready to fight for the chance to challenge the NLW Heavyweight Champion.

Dan Simmons: Group A's winner might have had a rockier road to this match than his opponent thanks to their loss to Felix in the final round robin bout of the group, but that hasn't been enough to slow MYŌJIN down. If anything, that loss only drove them into fighting harder--and I suspect it's going to make him fight even harder tonight!

Tommy West: There is no questioning the heart and determination of MYŌJIN--but there is one man that is going to do his damndest to do exactly that, and that's the man that's about to come out!

The intro drums for Nautilus by Raekwon bumps out of the speakers, the sound of a gun having its hammer pulled back and the beat drops.

Mur-mur-mur=scratch=Murder you (check your thirty)
Mur-mur-mur=scratch=Murder you (check your thirty)
We're gonna murder you
Bring the head, leave the body

Marty Watts: And their opponent, weighing in at 217 pounds, from The Greatest City IN THE WORLD...NEW YORK CITY, he is the G1 Block B winner...RIIIIIIICARRRRRDOOOOO GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Bring the head, leave the body

So much bread in a *****'s shoebox

Ricardo makes his way out of the tunnel as Raekwon flows over the smooth beat, Ric mean mugs the camera as he hits the stage his head slightly bouncing swaying back as he's full of confidence he walks towards the ring with a New York swagger, half way down the ramp he stops and sprays his "gun" towards the ring before he continues on sliding his way between the top and middle ropes. As Raekwon spits "Diss mines? We gon' have a big problem" Ric points down at the ring screaming this is his then attackers the top rope biting it and looking out into the crowd all crazy eyed, slowly from left to right till his music fades.

Dan Simmons: In stark contrast to his opponent, Ricardo Goon has been dominant from start to finish. All it took was one offhand comment from BB Gunn calling him an underdog to make the chip on Ric's shoulder grow so large that it dwarved the competition, driving him to grow more and more vicious!

Tommy West: It's definitely a collision of two opposite ends of the spectrum tonight, Dan! Determination versus viciousness, good versus evil... this is going to be a clash for the ages!

---

MATCH SIX - MAIN EVENT
G1 TOURNAMENT FINALS
MYŌJIN (Group A Winner) vs Ricardo Goon (Group B Winner)

---

The bell rings and the G1 Finalists stare one another down, the fans growing quiet as they anticipate the beginning of the main event. Ricardo Goon's got a snarl on his face as he all but salivates at the thought of getting his hands on the Shining Star. In stark contrast, MYŌJIN's expression is one of perfect focus, their eagerness to proceed more restrained, but present nevertheless. After a tense moment passes, the Shining Star is extending their hand toward Ricardo in keeping with the tradition that they have established in the G1 thusfar. The younger Goon regards that outreached arm with a quirked brow, his jaw already jacking as he mocks the show of sportsmanship... but MYŌJIN's expression remains the same, as does the position of their hand. This, of course, only heightens the amount of verbal disrespect being hurled their way.

Dan Simmons: In spite of Ricardo's harsh words about what would happen to MYŌJIN's hand if they went for the handshake, they're offering him one anyway!

Tommy West: They're a braver soul than I am, that's for sure. Offering Ric a handshake is like sticking your hand into a pack of rabid junkyard dogs!

Dan Simmons: I couldn't agree more, Tommy--

Tommy West: It looks like the Shining Star is gonna get bit!

Indeed, in a manner of speaking, Goon lashes out at that offered hand with a gloved fist--but that was exactly what MYŌJIN was waiting for! They snag Ric by the wrist, using the larger man's momentum against him to send him into the ropes. Matrix-dodging underneath the clothesline that Ric rebounds with, MYŌJIN quickly pops back up, leapfrogging the younger Goon brother on the next pass--and the third time's not the charm for him either since Ric charges right into a jumping corkscrew roundhouse kick, Love, From Osaka connecting right on the button to send Goon to the mat! Ricardo doesn't just hit the mat, though... he rolls to the outside before getting to his feet with a mighty blue streak of vocabulary that'd kill the Pope if he heard it.

Dan Simmons: What's he saying? I can't make it out past all the profanity!

Tommy West: I think--is he quitting?!

Dan Simmons: After all he went through? There's no way Ricardo Goon would throw in the towel this early!

Tommy West: Then why is he heading toward the back?

Ricardo is indeed storming his way up the ramp, cussing out the fans who are booing loud enough to shake the rafters at this display of cowardice. Those boos swiftly change to cheers as MYŌJIN quickly exits the ring, hot on the heels of the man who would dare disrespect the G1 Finals in such a fashion--but as the referee begins to count both men out?

One!

Two!

Goon is turning around right before MYŌJIN can reach him, catching the smaller wrestler and planting him to the unforgiving steel where ramp meets stage with a powerslam!

Three!

Scrambling to his feet none-too-gracefully, Ric spits on the downed Shining Star before he's booking it back to the ring, leaving his foe stunned on the ramp as the referee continues to count as the boos of before return with a vengeance!

Dan Simmons: That despicable--

Tommy West: Despicable's not the only word for it, Dan. As much as I hate to admit it, this was damned clever of Goon! MYŌJIN has been wrestling non-stop for awhile now, so putting them into this position is a diabolical way to take advantage of that!

Four!

Ricardo slides into the ring on his stomach, getting to his feet before his verbal abuse of the crowd resumes. Meanwhile, up on the ramp?

Five!

MYŌJIN is beginning to stir, rolling onto his back. While the fans near the ring continue to rain jeers down on the younger Goon brother, the crowd nearer to the Shining Star are cheering their hearts out, trying to will them to their feet.

Six!

MYŌJIN is back on their stomach, beginning to pick themselves up... but they're moving slowly. Too slowly.

Dan Simmons: No, not like this!

Tommy West: BB Gunn's got to be losing his mind in the back--and these fans are losing theirs, too!

Seven!

The Shining Star is still not back to their feet completely, and Ricardo is eating up the sight of them struggling to their feet. The younger Goon has actually moved to recline across the top ropes of one of the corners, acting casual as can be.

Eight!

Hearing that, a burst of energy spurs MYŌJIN to their feet, the cheers of the fans along the rampway quickly spreading like wildfire as the fans collectively will their favorite forward... and it appears to be working, the Shining Star defying the pain he must be in to go from a walk to a run in fast order!

Nine!

Dan Simmons: They're so close! C'mon, MYŌJIN--you can do it!

Tommy West: Keep this match going!

The Shining Star is all but shooting down the ramp, pushing himself to his limit--and right before the referee hits the ten count? They, too, are sliding under the bottom rope, the fans cheering all the louder as Ric looks like someone just force-fed him a lemon! Goon quickly gets down from where he was sprawled out, but it's sloppy thanks to how he's rushing, leaving him on all fours. Such puts him in the perfect position to eat a Switchblade kick from the Shining Star, the younger Goon dropping to the mat. He tries to push himself up, but the Shining Star is on him, and the pair starts struggling as Ric tries to power out of MYŌJIN's attempts at a Fujiwara Armbar. Ric finds MYŌJIN harder to shake than he thinks they should be, but he eventually manages to get to the ropes before they can lock the hold in properly. The official starts counting, but MYŌJIN lets go before he gets to two. But as Ricardo looks up at them, he sees something in MYŌJIN's wide eyes and can't help but laugh.

Dan Simmons: I don't like the sound of that laugh, Tommy.

Tommy West: Neither do I--but if I was Ric, I wouldn't be laughing just yet.

MYŌJIN has backed off, obviously not eager to get disqualified, but Ricardo lingers in the ropes just a bit too long, so the Shining Star goes in after him. The official tries to keep him off, but having the ref's back to him suits Goon fine, and he rakes at MYŌJIN's face. He doesn't have the leverage to get a full on eye gouge, but the rake causes MYŌJIN to flinch back, giving Goon the opening to charge past the ref, lower his head, and drive MYŌJIN into the corner turnbuckles at speed. The Shining Star cries out, his back arching at an unsettling angle, but Ric is eager to straighten him back out with a series of shoulder thrusts, pushing MYŌJIN into the corner again, and again, and again. The official tries to get him off, but the contact is not constant, so he can only do so much. After about six thrusts, Goon seems satisfied and stands back to admire the sight of his opponent slumped in the corner. Then he throws his foot toward MYŌJIN's stomach and starts kicking until he slumps down, then starts stomping, and now the ref starts protesting in earnest, and when Goon doesn't stop stomping when ordered, he starts a five count.

One!

Two!

Three!

Four!

Goon almost throws the kick that would disqualify him, but he catches his foot on the rope instead of MYŌJIN's chest, giving the official the opening to shove him back, creating distance so he can check on MYŌJIN.

Dan Simmons: As if putting their mind through the wringer wasn't bad enough, now Goon is trying to break MYŌJIN physically. Defeat isn't gonna be good enough for Ricardo...he wants total destruction!

Tommy West: That's what has served him well so far in the G1, but the Shining Star is a whole new kind of tough. It's gonna take a lot more to keep them down!

After the ref stops chastising Goon, whose response is inaudible but seems to amount to "You gon' let me fight or no?", he turns to face MYŌJIN, who is already trying to get to their feet. He doesn't even have time to ask if MYŌJIN is okay to continue before Goon is pushing him aside, but the Shining Star fights back, throwing a wild kick that glances off Goon's stomach. Goon pushes forward again, blocking the kick attempt and just straight punching MYŌJIN in the mouth, causing his head to whip back. Goon throws another kick to try to drive MYŌJIN down, but the Shining Star instinctively pulls themselves up out of the way, ending up seated on the top buckle. Everyone in the crowd starts murmuring, recognizing that as a dangerous place to be, and Ricardo reaches up, throwing a few haymakers that stagger MYŌJIN, but doesn't knock them off their perch. When this fails, Ricardo lets out a few choice words before climbing up to better hammer at his foe--but this also puts him in reach of the Shining Star. A clubbing blow to Ric's midsection is enough to stun him, MYŌJIN ducking under his arm and hooking him up.

Dan Simmons: What does MYŌJIN have in mind? Whatever it is, I don't thi--

Tommy West: OH MY GOD!

Digging deep, MYŌJIN launches himself and Goon skyward and backward in an Avalanche Spanish Fly to the outside, Flashing Lights Deluxe taken to a whole new level! The crowd is losing its mind at the display of bravery and skill as both men land hard, Ricardo landing harder out of the two. For a moment, the winners of both groups A and B just lay there, sides heaving as they try to summon up the will to get to their feet. It's the Shining Star that stirs first, getting to his hands and knees, then to a knee, then back upright before he's taking hold of Ric by the head and, slowly but surely, dragging him to his feet to roll him into the ring, following after. Pushing the younger Goon brother onto his back, MYŌJIN hooks the leg for the first pinfall attempt of the match.

One!

Two!

Th--no! Ricardo kicks out, MYŌJIN's expression one of firm resolve as they settle back onto their knees and wipe their face free of sweat with the back of their hand.

Dan Simmons: Had MYŌJIN been able to capitalize on that breathtaking maneuver, Ricardo Goon's run of terror may have come to an end!

Tommy West: As it is, that rendition of Flashing Lights Deluxe took a lot out of both competitors. The Shining Star needs to keep on Ric here!

Such is clearly what MYŌJIN is also thinking since they're only allowing themselves a few seconds to gather themselves before they're guiding both Ric and themselves back toward a vertical base. Ric is a little unsteady on his feet, but he's got enough awareness to free himself from the Shining Star's grasp with a vicious boot that drives the breath out of his opponent. Moving with surprising quickness, Goon ducks behind MYŌJIN, hooking up the smaller wrestler's arms before firing off a Dragon suplex! Sticking the landing, Ric's able to hold the bridge into a pinfall attempt!

One!

Two!

MYŌJIN kicks out! Ric cusses up a storm as he delivers a couple clubbing blows to the Shining Star's head before trying for another pinfall attempt.

One!

Two!

Again, MYŌJIN kicks out! It's Ric's turn to sit back on his haunches, lips pulled into a snarl of disbelief.

Dan Simmons: Ricardo's got to heed your advice from earlier, Tommy, if he wants to win this!

Tommy West: Neither of these competitors are going down without a Hell of a fight, Dan--and the fans are loving it!

Indeed, the fans are cheering at MYŌJIN's refusal to stay down. Clearly not happy with this, Ricardo begins mouthing off to the crowd as he hammers on the Shining Star a few more times--but rather than crumpling beneath the force of the onslaught? MYŌJIN is slowly rising to a knee, Ric rising with them to keep up the offensive. It's seemingly doing little to the Shining Star beyond further driving them upward to their feet. With a snarled-out slur, Ric belts MYŌJIN across the face with enough force to rock the smaller competitor and forcibly turn their head! For a moment, the Shining Star remains like that, looking off to one side... but then they set their jaw and slowly turn their head to glare right back at Ric before spitting a Japanese curse of their own and shotei-ing Goon right in the mush with enough force to drive Goon into the ropes!

Dan Simmons: Ric's gone and done it. He's made the Shining Star angry!

Tommy West: This isn't gonna be pretty, Dan. I can feel it!

With a roar, Ricardo rebounds right at MYŌJIN only to eat a spinning backfist for the attempt, the blow stopping Goon dead in his tracks. As the younger Goon sways a little, the Shining Star bolts across the ring and into the ropes, dropping down on the rebound to connect with a chop block that brings Ricardo down to a knee--and before he has the chance to recover? MYŌJIN is popping back up to their feet, a rolling Savate kick ensuring that Goon will Kiss and Tell of this encounter in the future! Goon collapses to the mat, MYŌJIN following him down before hooking the leg.

One!

Two!

Goon kicks out, but that doesn't faze MYŌJIN in the slightest. If anything, the Shining Star looks like they expected this outcome. Quickly getting to their feet, they drag Goon up and send him into the corner, following after their opponent with a handspring backflip elbow smash--but at the last second? Goon is dropping out of the way, leaving the Comet Dust Elbow to hit nothing but turnbuckle!

Dan Simmons: That was one Hell of a near miss!

Tommy West: Yes it was--but that sure wasn't!

Tommy is speaking of how Ricardo snags MYŌJIN by the ankle and yanks, causing the Shining Star to face plant onto the canvas. Keeping hold of the leg, Ric steps off to one side before viciously slamming the knee of the Shining Star against the unforgiving steel of the ringpost! The crowd jeers as MYŌJIN cries out in pain... but that only serves as fuel to Ric's sadism as he repeats the motion a second time, then a third before the referee intervenes. The damage has been done, though, as MYŌJIN curls up around their knee, the official checking on them as Ricardo struts his way to the ring apron, mouthing off at the fans before re-entering the squared circle. Shouldering his way past the official, Goon reaches for his downed foe, driving a few stomps into MYŌJIN before dragging them out and away from the corner before returning there himself. Climbing to the top turnbuckle, Ric flips off the crowd before diving off the ropes--but MYŌJIN rolls out of the way at the last moment!

Dan Simmons: Instinct alone saves The Shining Star's chances at victory!

Tommy West: How much longer can instinct stave off Ricardo Goon's viciousness though, Dan? MYŌJIN needs to end this, and fast!

Ric is starting to stir--but before he can roll onto his back? MYŌJIN is digging deep for a final burst of energy, surging forward on his knees to wrap himself around Goon's arm to drag him into position to try to bring the G1 Finals to a close.. Sensing danger, Goon does his best to fight his way free, but the Shining Star gets the Kimura lock portion of Aquila cinched in, the crowd cheering as Goon screams in pain and MYŌJIN lets out a warrior's cry of determination as they wrench on the hold with all their might!

Dan Simmons: Aquila! MYŌJIN's got the submission hold that has proven to be deadly in the G1 locked in, but they're not in the middle of the ring!

Tommy West: That might not matter, Dan! Look at the agony Ric's in!

Ricardo's struggling, but he's not breaking free--not when the Shining Star has him exactly where they want him. MYŌJIN is not letting up the pressure, the referee asking Goon if he wants to submit but he's refusing, instead shifting focus from trying to power out of Aquila to using his legs to drag himself toward the ropes. It's slow going, and he has to fight for every single inch as he moves closer and closer. With one final surge, Ricardo's left foot hooks around the bottom rope, forcing the break! The referee makes it to the count of four before MYŌJIN releases the hold, and even then it's with some level of reluctance. Ric shoves the referee away when they try to check on him, spitting profanities as he tries to shake out his arm from his prone position on the mat.

Dan Simmons: Even if Ricardo got out of Aquila, I have to wonder if the damage hasn't already been done. So much of Ric's offense relies on his upper body strength--can he hit Troy with only one arm?

Tommy West: He's not the only one with that kind of concern. Remember the damage that he did to MYŌJIN's leg? Not only that, but both of these men have to be close to running on fumes!

The fans are cheering the Shining Star on as they fight their way to their feet before moving toward Ricardo, but they are visibly limping, favoring the leg that was slammed into the ring post by the younger Goon brother. Leaning down, MYŌJIN grabs hold of Ric's head and helps him to his feet--but Goon powers free of the Shining Star's grasp and sends them into the ropes. Gathering that momentum, MYŌJIN goes for XS, but their knee buckles when they try to propel their body upward for the flying triangle choke. Unfortunately, MYŌJIN 's attempt to bring Goon back down to the mat has put them well within Ric's reach, the younger Goon brother quickly hooking the Shining Star up before letting rip with the loudest 'FUCK YOU!' that has likely ever been screamed during NLW's history before dropping down with the Evenflow DDT, the F.U.D.T. driving the Shining Star into the canvas face-first! Hooking both legs, Ric digs his heels into the mat as he strains with all his might to keep the Group A winner down.

One!

Two!

Three!

[WINNER: Ricardo Goon via F.U.D.T. at 29:58]

DING DING DING!

Marty Watts: And here is your winner via pinfall, the winner of NLW's G1 and the man who will be going on to challenge for the NLW Heavyweight Championship at Homecoming.... RIIIIIICAAAAAARDOOOOO GOOOOON!

Ricardo shoots to his feet, immediately demanding that he have his hand raised by the referee as the crowd cheers the efforts of both men, though there's more than a few boos mixed in. Behind the younger Goon brother, MYŌJIN lays on their back, hands rising to cover their face as they try to gather themselves.

Dan Simmons: Love him or hate him, Ricardo Goon has made history!

Tommy West: Yes he had, Dan--but there's no denying that he had to earn it the hard way. MYŌJIN fought his heart out to the bitter end, but they couldn't overcome the targeted offense on their knee.

Dan Simmons: The fighting spirit of MYŌJIN will ensure their place in the history books of both the XHF Network as well as NLW, but tonight the victor is Ricardo Goon--

Tommy West: And here comes his brother!

Indeed, David Goon is bolting down the rampway, sliding into the ring on his stomach before popping up to hug his brother and tag-team partner! Whatever good feelings are stirred by that image of familial love is spoiled, however, when David shoves the ref aside to raise Ric's hand and both men begin running their mouths about their continued dominance over NLW and its roster.

Dan Simmons: Now that the G1 has come to a close, we turn our gaze toward the future... toward Homecoming. Will Ricardo Goon be facing Finn Whelan, or are there other threats to the NLW Heavyweight Championship waiting in the wings? Only time will tell.

Tommy West: And it is on that note that Collison Course comes to a close, and our time with you this evening comes to again. I'm Tommy West, he's Dan Simmons, and thank you for turning in tonight. Take care!

Confetti and streamers rain down from the ceiling, covering the victor and his brother. It is this image that the camera lingers on as the video fades to black.

---

[Mav.]

WE ARE LIIIIIIIVE!