NLW Ascendancy XXII | Saturday, October 2nd, 2021 | LIVE
Sept 27, 2021 16:33:44 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Venom 🕷, and 4 more like this
Post by Kris on Sept 27, 2021 16:33:44 GMT -5
Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDENCY XXII - THE 1ST ANNIVERSARY SHOW
LIVE from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
October 2nd, 2021
We open and we are straight to Dan Simmons and Tommy West, the crowd is buzzing and you can see this in full effect behind the two commentators as they welcome us to another episode of Ascendancy.
Dan Simmons: Folks, welcome to another episode of Ascendancy! I'm Dan Simmons, and joining me tonight, as always, my partner in crime Tommy West. Tommy, it's a big one tonight. We have been doing this for a whole year, can you believe it?
Tommy West: Can I believe that I've put up with you for a whole year, Simmo? Sometimes I wonder, other days I guess it could be worse.
Awkward pause.
Tommy West: Only kidding my friend! It's been a great year, and to celebrate, BB Gunn has put out some matches I think we are going to remember for a long, long time!
Dan Simmons: You're damn right! Tonight, our two titles are being defended in no disqualification conditions, so we will have a definitive winner in both. First in the Southern States Title match, we have the impressive Thespian taking on Lazarus Arjen who you have to say is in red hot form right now!
Tommy West: He is Simmo, after getting a huge, if not controversial win over Finn Whelan, he is the man of the moment! Speaking of Finn though, he's gonna have to get his focus back because he's got a mountain to climb if he's going to hold onto his Heavyweight Title!
Dan Simmons: You're not wrong, not one, not two, but three former NLW Heavyweight Champions in Tommy Kelly, Eli Dresden and Leon Chant. Who will come out as undisputed?
Tommy West: I...I actually have no idea, this could go absolutely in any direction.
Dan Simmons: However, before that we have the second half of the NLW Tag Team Title Tournament! The Goons are taking on Adam Sanders and Chris Sanderson-
Tommy West: You mean Sanders and Son.
Dan Simmons: I...I don't believe they like that name...but okay. And also The End are taking on The Tilted Cartridges!
Tommy West: Finally we have Felix, who has also been in good form lately taking on former Southern States Champion, Graham Baker...but starting us off is The returning Neko Nyan Nyan and Nathan Cage!
MATCH ONE
Nathan Cage vs Neko Nyan Nyan
Let’s be honest, we’ve worked out that Nathan Cage is a bad, bad man. As for Neko Nyan Nyan? Well I’m sure she would say she’s a bad, bad kitty…no, I don’t know either. Cage, much like when he squared off against Al Jabroni in recent weeks, was not interested in making nice with the feline enthusiast and as the bell rang he exploded out of the corner and dropped her with a stiff looking lariat. Cage immediately dropped down and ran down on Neko with mounted punches, which prompted referee intervention. Cage told the referee exactly what he thought about that, implying that Neko deserved a lot worse that the abuse he was dishing out. He turned back to find that Neko had moved, in fact she was coming off the ropes from a different angle and attempted to catch Cage off guard with the Pounce, sadly though Cage was a bit to big to be successfully pounced, and she just bounced off him and landed on her rear.
This didn’t sit well with Cage, he took a deep breath in a vein attempt to calm himself, it was not successful. Neko was sat helpless as he put a boot to her face, before flipping her off and dropping an elbow. He made the cover but it was only a short two count for his efforts. Surprisingly this only settled Cage down a bit, nobody on commentary was expecting it to last that long though. He brought Neko to her feet and sent her to the ropes, he looked for a back body drop but Neko somersaulted over the back of him and took him by surprise with a cross body! Cage didn’t stay down long and as both got to their feet, Neko was slightly sharper and put a boot to the midsection, before hitting the Purrfectplex [bridging fishermans suplex], she held form for the cover but Cage kicked out at two.
Ms. Nyan Nyan was building up some steam, or at least in her mind she was, she goaded Cage to get to his feet, and was winding up something big. Cage got up and she put him in the Cat Scratch Fever [claw], but sadly for her, once again she didn’t quite have the size advantage to make this count, and Cage put a kick in her midsection, followed with a kick to the face to straighten her up, and then asked the question of “are you serious?” but with a few additional words not fit for family viewing. Neko’s reply was simply to act cute, and Cage didn’t really like that reply, so promptly put another boot into her midsection and hit a nasty looking powerbomb. Cage went to the top rope and landed the Air Cage [diving headbutt] to continue the attack. However, despite Dan Simmons and probably the whole Lakefront Arena expecting a cover, Cage wasn’t interested. Instead, he dragged Neko back to her feet and hit Death by Cage [pumphandle driver].
Cage did not go for the cover again, despite the referee semi-suggesting that maybe he should, everybody could see this was over. Cage stared blankly back at him though, and shook his head slowly, before once again getting to his feet, dragging poor Neko Nyan Nyan with him before hitting a second Death by Cage. Cage still didn’t go for a cover, and approached a ringside camera and seemed to tell BB Gunn directly that he “wants a real fight”. He turned back, and when the referee realised he was looking for a third Death by Cage he waved it off, possibly to stop what could have been a murder.
[WINNER: Nathan Cage Via stoppage at 05:12]
Cage steps back from the camera, consumed by rage. No joy or elation visible in spite of a dominating victory. He looks around momentarily before spotting Marty Watts sat next to the bell ringer and time keeper.
Cage beckons Watts to enter the ring. Watts, understandably given just last show Cage was throttling him, looks uneasy at the prospect. He timidly gets out of his chair and grabs a microphone with him at Cage’s pointed request. When he enters, Cage grabs the microphone (and Watts along with it) and drags it to the centre of the ring. A cameraman enters to get direct footage of Cage before he begins.
Which he doesn’t. Instead he looks at Watts for a few seconds before his expression turns to annoyance.
Nathan Cage: Introduce me!
Watt's fear overtakes him as he fumbles to do so.
Marty Watts: O-oh, right! Right. Uhm. *hm hm* Ladies and gentlemen! Introducing, the winner of this contest! Nathaaaan CAGE!
Cage makes a gesture with his hand for Watts to “keep goin’”.
Marty Watts: Er, i-it’s safe to say that Nathan Cage has made no short of an impact here in NLW! The fans around the world want to know, what is next for Nathan Cage come next Ascendancy?
Not bad, Watts thought. Particularly because he was not an interviewer but now was roped into the role by virtue of fear towards the rabid dog.
Nathan Cage: Personally, I couldn’t give a damn who they put me up against next show! I think everybody in that locker room, from that fuckin’ cat lady up to the world champion, are complete wastes of human resource!
Nathan Cage: But, I ain’t pulled you up here to go over all that again! I got somethin’ else I wanna get off my chest! Somethin’ that’s been buildin’ in me since my first day in this company, and’s been in the back of my mind for too damn long!
The ever present mix of cheers and (mostly) boo’s towards Cage dies down as the crowd awaits what he has to say.
Marty Watts: P-please go right ahead, Mr. Cage.
Nathan Cage: I’m sick and tired of waitin’ for this company to give me a real fight, or for one of it’s roster members to grow a set! So I’m takin’ this opportunity to issue a challenge!
Nathan Cage: Against, one, “Deathless”! Tommy! Kelly!
Dan Simmons: What!?
Tommy West: Now we’re talking!
The crowd’s cheers are deafening at the mention of Kelly.
Nathan Cage: Whether you’re the champ at the end of the night, or you ain’t, I really don’t give a shit! Only person so far that’s truly beat him needed the help of some fat piece of shit to do it! Well, make no mistake, NLW on their best days ain’t anythin' like facin' me!
Watts looks uncomfortably at the camera as Cage’s tirade continues. The crowd on the other hand continue their excitement at the prospect of The Rabid Dog against The Stormcrow.
Nathan Cage: It doesn’t matter to me which version of Kelly it is! Whether it’s the version with his head up his ass an’ his ego stroked by every pissant here and backstage. Or it’s the Kelly cryin’ and whinin’ on a street corner cause he ain’t got a belt ‘round his waist ANYMORE!
Nathan Cage: S’far as I’m concerned, champ or not! Tommy Kelly needs this match, cause there ain’t a damn person that cares enough about him to call him out without that belt!
Crowd: Deathless! Deathless! Deathless!
The crowd’s chant continues while Cage concludes.
Nathan Cage: Now, son, you may hobble around callin’ yourself “deathless”. Frankly, it might even be true! But after Nathan Cage is through with ya…
Nathan Cage: You’re gonna wish, that you weren’t!
Cage shoves Watts away and begins to exit the ring. Crowd still chanting all the while.
Dan Simmons: A definitive line in the sand drawn by Nathan Cage tonight! Calling out the former, and possibly current by the end of tonight, world champion Tommy Kelly!
Tommy West: You might not like or agree with everything Cage does and says, Dan. But he’s doing exactly what he should. He’s here to carve himself a place, and it looks like he wants to do that at the expense of Kelly.
MATCH TWO
Graham Baker vs Felix
Felix came to the ring in usual fashion, an additional air of confidence on him following his impressive victory in FIRESIDE earlier this week. However he was left waiting a bit longer than expected, Baker’s music didn’t play to start with. We suddenly cut backstage where we found a very familiar scene here in NLW lately, a lot of people gathering, and perhaps another attack from our mystery attacker with a steel pipe. However, Baker was standing, although he did have a large cut above his right eye. BB Gunn was on the scene and Baker told him that he saw the attacker coming, and only caught a glancing blow, and he fought them off. He didn’t know who it was, as they were masked. Given his condition, Gunn suggested he call his match with Felix off but true to the Guillotine’s nature, he simply told Gunn to “fuck off” and he went to the ring anyway.
So better late than never Baker came to the ring but it was an uncomfortable watch, he was clearly not 100% and was losing blood. Felix, being the honourable character that he is, asked Baker again if he was sure if he wanted to go through with this, Baker’s reply was similar to before, and a few extras added which Felix shrugged off and simply said “alright then”. If Baker still wanted to fight, Felix would oblige him.
Baker started fairly sharply, which was perhaps a slight surprise but the well travelled superstar had been in many a brawl. Felix had slipped behind and applied a waistlock from the start, and Baker knew immediately to throw an elbow which staggered his foe, and he went him with chops and forearms to back him into the corner, he applied a couple more blows before whipping him to the opposite corner, he charged at him but Flex moved causing him to crash into the turnbuckle, Felix was straight to this and hit a German suplex to take control. He stalked Baker and went straight to what he does best, Uchi-Mata to ground him, armbar to apply the pressure. Baker was already into survival mode, and flew his free arm at Felix to release him. Both men quickly shuffled away to get some distance and got back to their feet, and Baker came forward, looking for a big lariat, but Felix ducked and hit a Saito suplex to ground him once again.
Felix at this point could see that Baker was bleeding even more, and once again asked him if he wanted to continue, the referee was in agreement, but this only annoyed Baker further and he slapped The Warrior in the face. The crowd, who were perhaps a touch sympathetic to Baker before, immediate let him know what they thought of it. Flex sighed, his hands on his hips, before giving a brief look of “okay then”, and he exploded back at Baker, pinning him back in the corner with a variety of kicks, chops and more kicks that went unreturned. Once cornered, Felix unloaded further, hitting Hagakure [Tiger Claw Palm Strike, Knife Edge Chop combo into a knee in the face]. Baker slumped to the ground and Felix moved him away from the corner to cover, but Baker got a shoulder up. He wasn’t going to go down easily.
Felix sighed again and brought him back to his feet. He went for a suplex but Baker dropped behind, he pushed Felix to the corner, and after Felix bounced off and turned around, he went for a Hail Mary play, the Half Life Bomber [running pumper bomber lariat]. But Felix was having none of it, he ducked past and when Baker turned back around, Felix almost took his head off with a step up enziguri. The Warrior decided it was time to end this now, and stalked Baker who’s face was now covered in his own blood. When he finally wobbled up to a vertical base, Felix pounced and hit Bushido. Game. Over.
[WINNER: Felix Via Bushido at 04:34]
We cut backstage where a camera is spying on BB Gunn, who is on the phone, to who? No idea.
BB Gunn: I know, I know, this is getting out of hand, we're losing superstars left and right to this person...yeah I'm aware it could be a group too, no need...yeah, I'm sorry, yes, you're right. Look, I'm doing everything I can, we've increased security but whoever's behind this is very keen on succeeding regardless.
He pauses.
BB Gunn: Any ideas? I have a couple, and at the next show I'm going to explore them a bit deeper. No! No, there's no need to send them in, I've got this situation sorted...yes, yes I'm sure. Okay...okay, yes, bye.
He places the phone in his pocket and lets out a long sigh.
BB Gunn: ...shit.
MATCH THREE
NLW Tag Team Championship Tournament - Round One Match
Adam Sanders & Chris Sanderson vs The Goons
It looks like Ric and Adam Sanders are going to start, but Ric does some mouthing off, waves off Sanders as below him, and tags in David. Sanders doesn’t look impressed as the Goons cackle. Sanders shakes his limbs out as he starts circling the ring around David. Sanders goes for a lock-up, but David responds with a boot to the gut. The crowd boos, but Goon don’t care, and David starts laying in with clubbing blows. He whips Sanders into the Goon corner. Sanders immediately uncoils, elbowing Ric off the apron, but that leaves him open for David to rush in and sandwich him in the corner with a splash. As Sanders staggers out of the corner, David tags in Ric, who then grabs Sanders in a full nelson as David rushes into the ropes. He comes back with a Yakuza Kick that Ric rolls into a Dragon Suplex! David is ushered out of the ring before the ref will count, which gives plenty of time for Sanders to kick out.
Ric takes some time to slap Sanders around, reiterating how this is a done deal, but that just angers Sanders enough to give a second wind, which manifests as a picture perfect dropkick. This staggers Ric, but he comes back at Sanders, and the two start exchanging strikes. Ric mostly goes for haymakers and clubbing blows, but Sanders stands with him with forearm strikes and round kicks, and the exchange ends with a lariat that lands Ric on his back! David yells from the apron, but Sanders presses the attack, hitting a spinebuster as soon as Ric is back upright. After that, he drags Ric over to the corner to tag in Sanderson. Sanders then grabs Ric in a Fireman’s Carry as Sanderson runs the ropes, handsprings, and comes back as Sanders throws Rick into an Ace Crusher! The crowd cheers as Sanderson goes for the pin, but David comes in to break it up. Sanders yells some stuff across the ring as the ref pushes David away. Sanderson picks up Ric and wraps him up for a Cobra Clutch Suplex, but Ric is not far enough gone to get to an Untitled Finale, so he fights out with elbows to either side of him, some glancing but some landing in the midsection. He then dives toward his brother, tagging him so he can dive over the top rope and crash into Sanderson with a shoulder block!
David comes in and picks Sanderson up, intending to do some damage. He gets Sanderson into the Goon corner and sandwiches him in the corner as well, but with no Ric to tag, he takes things into his own hands. Sanderson staggers out and David hops to the middle rope. He stalks as Sanderson turns, but as he leaps for Des, instead of a flipping neckbreaker he gets air as Sanderson lunges out of the way! Sanderson rushes over to tag in Sanders, then rushes back toward David as he gets up, nailing a Discus Big Boot that staggers the Goon toward Sanders, who lifts him up in another Fireman’s Carry. This time it’s for himself, and as Sanderson barrels into Ric Goon as he recovers on the apron, Adam Sanders plants David Goon with a Death Valley Driver that breaks the Goons dreams of becoming NLW Tag Team Champions, getting the three soonafter.
[WINNERS: Sanders and Son via The Dream Breaker at 8:03]
The opening of the Big Sean’s “Wolves” hits the PA system and El Rey strolls onto the stage snarling with his half painted face. He looks around soaking up the surroundings before smiling as the crowd rains down boos upon him. He strolls down the ramp ignoring the outstretched hands of the fans who want to touch any wrestler until he reaches the ring. At ringside he leaps up onto the apron and then over the ropes and spins around in the ring with his arms outstretched. He spins around a couple times and then calls for a mic. The crowds boos slowly die out and El Rey speaks up.
El Rey: So this is the first anniversary show of NLW. One year of wrestling in Louisiana. The man you’re looking at right now in this ring was on the very first show. Looking back at that card you know what I see? While I changed my name and took off that god forsaken mask I’m one of the few left still working in that place. Yet still, on the anniversary show, I am left off of the card.
El Rey shakes his head and begins pacing around the ring.
El Rey: Over the year I have nearly won the X*Crown, represented this place globally, got rid of that stain on the shirt of life Joe Blow, and even just this month placed in the top five in Cruiserfest. Yet here I am not booked on the anniversary show. Time and time again this place has overlooked me. Even when I almost won the X*Crown I got that opportunity because others backed out. I wasn’t the first or second choice, and even after I proved my worth I was still over looked here.
El Rey huffs and puffs clearly getting angrier by the second.
El Rey: I am done being overlooked here. I quit.
El Rey drops the mic and exits the ring as the stunned crowd looks on.
MATCH FOUR
NLW Tag Team Championship Tournament - Round One Match
The Tilted Cartridges vs The End
The two powerhouses start this match. Dunne is slightly taller than Fargo, but he is not intimidated even slightly. When the bell rings the two plow into each other with heavy strikes. Dunne is able to get Fargo against the ropes, but when he whips Fargo off, Fargo reverses and Dunne is the one to run the ropes, coming back into a double-leg takedown, and immediately Fargo us on him with grounded forearm strikes, elbow strikes, and straight up slaps to the head. Dunne is immediately furious and, after trying to cover up from the strikes for a bit, powers out. The anger seems to be the thing, as he rushes back in, but Fargo doesn’t manage to sidestep the Spear, and now Dunne is the one on top raining down strikes. Fargo is able to escape the mount fairly quickly, but Dunne presses the attack, grabbing Fargo before he can get away and dragging him closer to Cheez in the corner. He tags in Cheez, then locks Fargo’s arms behind him as Cheez climbs the turnbuckle. He flies off as Fargo is released, letting him crash down on Fargo with a crossbody! But he only gets two, Fargo kicking out emphatically.
Cheez tries to keep him down, but Fargo overpowers Cheez. He counters into a mount and starts raining strikes down on Cheez, who is less able to cover up, and the ref comes in to give Fargo a five count. He persists until just before a DQ, reminding the ref he knows his rights, then drags Cheez into enemy territory, tagging in Mehrunes. He hands Cheez off and runs the ropes, blasting Cheez with a brutal uppercut that Mehrunes transitions into a Bridging German Suplex! To Cheez’s credit, he kicks out, but Mehrunes is clearly in control. Mehrunes proceeds to put Cheez through the ringer. Headlocks transitioned into grounded headlocks, and when Cheez eventually pushes himself up to his feet again, Mehrunes pulls Cheez down into a DDT, then holds the head and locks in a Guillotine Choke. Dunne is quick to come in and break that up, though that does mean Fargo has justification to come in, and all hell breaks loose for a bit. Fargo lifts Cheez for a brainbuster, but Dunne pulls him down and picks Fargo up, flipping him out of a torture rack into a DDT! With Fargo Well’n’Dunne, he turns his attention to Mehrunes, hitting a big boot, but the ref shoves him away before he can do more damage.
Cheez takes advantage, hooking Mehrunes for a suplex, but he only gets through Like and Comment before Mehrunes fights out. He hits a Ghettolizer to the back of Cheez’s head which staggers him. Fargo is stirring as Mehrunes lifts Cheez up, and he gets enough energy to charge Dunne, going through the ropes with Dunne. Cheez is able to wriggle his way out, landing behind Mehrunes, landing a rough Atomic Drop that jolts Mehrunes’s spine. Mehrunes falls forward, and Cheez gets excited and runs the ropes, clearly looking for Cheez Wiz, but that is a move Mehrunes knows too well, and he gets inside the Shining Wizard attempt, lifting Cheez and planting Cheez with a Powerbomb. He grabs the leg as though going for the STF that normally follows, but instead he heads for the ropes as well, and as Cheez pushes himself up, he eats Mehrunes’ version of the Shining Wizard, his head whipping back from the Gates of Innsmouth. Mehrunes transitions into the Triangle Choke, but it’s a formality as the official finds him to be, in technical terms, ‘knocked the fuck out,’ and calls the match as a victory for The End.
[WINNERS: The End via Gates of Innsmouth at 7:41]
MATCH FIVE
No DQ Match for the NLW Southern States Title
Lazarus Arjen (c) vs The Thespian
Some matches start with a handshake. Some start with a collar-and-elbow tie-up. This one started with the Thespian putting his arms out to his sides in a Jesus pose. Lazarus shrugs and pulls the screwdriver he struck Finn Whelan with last show, swinging it wildly at Thespian, but Thespian is not suicidal, so he ducks out of harm’s way. Thespian blocks the second attempt, batting the screwdriver away, but Lazarus just swings the arm forward and blasts the masked man with a lariat. Thespian is quick to get back to his feet, but that just lets Lazarus attack again. The third lariat is ducked and Thespian runs the ropes, and Lazarus turns around into a flying elbow smash! Thespian lands on his front, so he can quickly pop up and nail Lazarus with a European uppercut as soon as he’s upright. Then another, and another. He whips Lazarus, but Lazarus gets the running move this time, countering an STO attempt by diving into Thespian’s knees. The Interpreter rushes to his client’s side, intent on determining what state the challenger is in. Lazarus doesn’t care as much. He stomps all over Thespian’s knees, then his thighs, and stomach, and basically anywhere he can get to. After a few seconds, he stops, but it’s not so the official can check on Thespian so much as it’s to roll out of the ring and go hunting for toys.
While Lazarus is throwing random shit into the ring, the Interpreter takes some initiative. Whether on his own or at Thespian’s bidding, he has retrieved the screwdriver, bringing it over and passing it surreptitiously to him. Lazarus doesn’t notice as he’s just thrown a trashcan in and shit like a street sign and kendo sticks fall out. He slides back in to the ring with a wooden plank wrapped in barbed wire, putting that aside. As Thespian struggles to get back to his feet, he’s knocked back down again with a stiff sign to the head. Lazarus is rifling through all the crap he threw in, knocking Thespian down again and again. Kendo stick, street sign, trashcan lid, rest of trashcan, cookie sheet, all the classics. He even takes the crumpled trash can, wedges it over Thespian’s body, pulls him up, and whacks him with dual wielded kendo sticks. The ref wants to stop the match, but he’s powerless. Someone who is not powerless is Thespian, who seems to get a second wind--though we can’t see him do it--and charges bodily into Lazarus, trashcan and all! He then rolls unevenly toward the Interpreter while the crowd cheers the innovative solution so he can get unstuck.
As soon as he’s unloaded, Thespian seems loopy and his attire is torn in places, including a few minor lacerations caused by the trashcan pinata act, but Thespian presses on. Lazarus is pulling himself up in the corner when he sees Thespian with his right hand over his face just before getting charged with a forearm strike. Thespian mixes his imitation of laughter and his imitation of his opponent, laughing apparently hysterically as he blasts Lazarus with his own Violence Party, slaps and chops and forearm shivers barraging him from all angles. Thespian backs up a little to let Lazarus slump, and he presents the screwdriver he was given to the crowd! They cheer as he brandishes it to strike Lazarus, but he spent too long playing to the crowd and Lazarus keeps himself unstabbed by blasting Thespian between the legs. Despite his face being covered, every fan in attendance cringes and winces as Lazarus recovers his weapon. Lazarus tries to blast Thespian with a Bull Hammer Elbow, but Thespian counters with a Reverse STO onto the battered remains of the trashcan! He crawls slowly and painfully over for a cover but gets only two.
Thespian lifts Lazarus with some effort, turns his back to him, and bends him back so he has Lazarus in the inverted headlock. He raises his arm for the flourish as he Takes a Bow, but something in Lazarus is still coherent, senses the movement, and surges to life. He takes the screwdriver he stashed back out and jabs it into the first bit of Thespian he can reach, his right thigh. The Interpreter screams reflexively, either to voice Thespian’s silent pain or of his own alarm, but Lazarus pays him no mind, quickly twisting around and hooking Thespian’s head as he turns over. In one quick movement, he has the head and one arm hooked, then the other arm, then he lifts Thespian with the Metemorphosis, pulling the challenger head-first into the barbed wire board!! The crowd is howling abuse at Lazarus, who gives zero fucks as he rolls Thespian over, lays across his chest nonchalantly as blood seeps from his face and his leg, and retains his Southern States Championship.
[WINNER: Lazarus Arjen via Metemorphosis at 12:58]
'Untouchable' hits the sound system as the overhead lights dim, the crowd loudly cheering for the woman that is about to emerge. Blue and white lights flash along the rampway as spotlights of similar shades swirl over the crowd... and Eliza Dresden doesn't make them wait for long. Bounding out from behind the curtain, Dresden is quick to make her way to the top of the ramp with Jason Long's technicolor light-up shades shoved up to act like a headband of sorts and Hyperion's trident in hand--and once she's there? She thrusts the latter into the air, earning a fresh wave of cheers. Of course, since she can't be idle for long, Eli is quick to bounce and poing her way down to the ring, darting from side to side to slap offered hands and otherwise play to the crowd. It's a bit trickier to do with a trident that's significantly taller than she is, but she makes it work. It's about three-fourths of the way down the ramp that she abandons that, speeding up to slide into the ring headfirst on her stomach before she twists onto her back and kips up to her feet. She's quick to mount the nearest turnbuckle, once again shoving that trident skyward to more of that positive reaction from the fans before she's popping back down and turning to look toward the middle of the ring. As her music fades, she hands the trident and the glasses over to a production assistant before bouncing around on the balls of her feet, eagerly waiting for the match to get underway.
Dan Simmons: Partner, she's only been back with us for a few weeks, but Eli Dresden has been keeping busy and keeping up the impressive form that earned her the title in the first place.
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.
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: I know I said I wasn't sure earlier, but if I had to guess, this is the guy I think may sneak the win, Tommy Kelly, he old dog doesn't need new tricks because the old ones are so damn successful!
"Oh hell yes! I'm a nervous wreck!"
Leon Chant marches out onto the stage as "West Coast Smoker" plays on the PA. He takes a brief moment to look around before heading to the ring, despite the cheers, his face is all business as he walks up the ring steps and through the second rope into the ring. He heads to the far corner and climbs to the second rope to slowly raise both arms aloft, prompting more cheers from the crowd. Slowly, he hops back down and heads to his corner, ready for the match to begin.
Dan Simmons: Leon Chant. Longest reigning champion, and utter powerhouse, you cannot discount him.
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 decends.
♫ 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 ♫
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.
Tommy West: Finn Whelan, I tell ya' Simmo, he's proved after beating Dylan Black, that he can hang with just about anybody, so whilst the odds are against him, he can certainly do it.
MAIN EVENT - MATCH SIX
No DQ Match for the NLW Heavyweight Title
Finn Whelan (c) vs Eli Dresden vs Tommy Kelly vs Leon Chant
The bell rings as all four know what’s at stake tonight. All four wrestlers couldn’t be any more different from one another. Neither of them make a move, not yet, feeling the energy around them first. Eli Dresden was by far the smallest wrestler in this match and she made the first move with a dropkick to Tommy Kelly which sent him into a corner. Leon Chat and Finn Whelan begin to exchange some right hands as Chant, the largest wrestler in this four way contest, gets the advantage over the NLW Champion. Chant sends Finn out of the ring with a stiff right hand to the jaw, as Tommy Kelly chops Eli right in the throat to send her to the canvas.
Kelly and Chant stand in the middle of the ring and begin to exchange elbows one with another as Chant again uses his size advantage to force Kelly into a corner and begins to hit shoulder block after shoulder block, driving the air out of TK’s body. Finn has gotten back into the ring and hits double knees to Leon’s back. Finn then chops Kelly in the corner a few times. Chant has gotten back up and is set to attack the two in the corner but Dresden flies back into the ring with an elbow to his face! That staggers Chant as Finn hits an enziguri and TK finishes off the assault on Chant with a superman punch! Leon falls out of the ring now as the other three look back and forth at one another.
Finn and Eli rush at Tommy Kelly together and begin to attack him with punches and kicks as he is a violent and dangerous motherfucker. The two work well together and dropkick TK at the same time, sending him into a corner. Finn hits a corner elbow, Eli following up with one of her own. They suplex Tommy together as he rolls to the apron. Eli and Finn then battle one another with elbows, the NLW champion gaining the advantage with a whip into the ropes, but Eli leaps over him, and as Finn comes back she drops down. As Whelan comes back once again, Dresden catches him with a beautiful snap frankensteiner, sending him out of the ring!
By this time Leon Chant has gotten his ass back into the ring and stalks the smallest person in the title contest. Eli finds herself getting lifted high above his head as Leon THROWS HER OUT OF THE RING BUT SHE FLIPS MID AIR AND LANDS ON FINN WHELAN!
Crowd: HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT! HOLY SHIT!
Even Chant looks impressed at that feat as he turns around into a Tommy Kelly headbutt. Kelly keeps headbutting the big man, even once in the chest like he was an Italian soccer player in the World Cup! Chant took some offense to that as he straight up SMACKS Kelly in the chest with a chop. A second followed as TK told him to just fuck off with that shit.
Chant throws Tommy out of the ring next to Finn and Eli as the smacks the ground hard. This left Leon alone in the ring, as he eyed the three on the outside of the ring. He claps his hands, the crowd rising to their feet because there’s no way Chant is gonna do this. He bounces off of the ropes AND IS ABLE TO LAUNCH HIMSELF OUT OF THE RING WITH A GODDAMN CORKSCREW PLANCHA ONTO ALL THREE OPPONENTS!
Crowd: OH HELL YES! OH HELL YES! OH HELL YES!
Even Leon is shocked that worked out and he didn’t harm himself on it. He fires up the crowd before pulling up Finn and sending him into the ring. Finn was groggy after having a near 300 lbs man land on him but was able to get to his feet and catch a returning Leon with a jumping running knee!
The NLW champion stays on the attack, not letting Chant breathe for a second, following up that knee with a savate kick. Chant goes into the corner, Whelan following suit with a chop to the chest before unleashing rapid fire chops to the chest like he was a puro legend of yore! The crowd heard each chop hit harder than the next, Leon’s chest beginning to turn a shade of red. That gets broken up by Tommy Kelly who has gotten back into the frey as he chops the back of Finn’s head! The NLW champion turns around TO GET CHOPPED IN THE GODDAMN FACE!
Tommy doesn’t let up, lifting Finn and throwing him into Leon Chant on the corner! Yes, ladies and gentlemen and non-binary, he beat a motherfucker with another motherfucker! Now it was Tommy’s turn to work over Leon as he grinned for a hot second. Kelly reached into his boot and pulled out the flask and tries to give Leon and Irish Kiss but Dresden springboards in with an elbow that stops that process. Maybe it was being stopped or the fact his booze was now on the canvas, Tommy was goddamn livid as he rolled out of the ring.
Finn was back up to his feet as watched as Eli flew out of the ring for a sucidia on Tommy BUT WAS HEADBUTTED IN MID-AIR! Tommy grabs Hyperion’s trident and TRIES TO KILL ELI BY THROWING IT AT HER BUT SHE MOVED AS IT HIT THE ANNOUNCER’S TABLE, STUCK RIGHT IN THERE! TK cursed at himself as Finn said to hell with it AND SLINGSHOTED HIMSELF AND HIT HIS SLINGSHOT DDT ON THE FLOOR ON TOMMY KELLY! Eli was fast to take Finn and toss him back in the ring, following right in and right into a big clothesline from Leon Chant!
Chant, having a few moments to recover from those chops and having a human thrown at him, is less than happy right now. He grabs Eli and Finn and suplexes both of them with a belly to belly at the same damn time! Chant is far from finished, grabbing Eli and hitting a running powerslam. Hey, we finally have a cover.
One!
Two………
Finn is able to save his championship by breaking up the cover attempt. Leon smacks Finn in the chest but gets an enziguri in response. Finn runs to the ropes, springboards off and contorts his body and tries to crossbody Chant down but is caught. Chant shifts the champion for a powerslam, but Finn drops down and hooks Leon’s arm AND IS ABLE TO HIT A SNAP TIGER SUPLEX ON THE BIG MAN!
Finn went for a cover right after.
One!
Two……
Nope. No retention as Tommy Kelly FLEW OFF THE TOP ROPE WITH THE NEVERMORE TO BREAK IT UP! The crowd goes insane for that as Tommy picked up Finn and threw him into the ropes. Whelan came back into a huge dropkick that sent him to the apron. Tommy looks around him and sees Eli. He drags her up and straight punches her in the jaw before lifting her up and hitting a brainbuster. Tommy doesn’t stop there, getting her up again and is able to use the RedRum to his advantage! Eli is trying not to give it up while in the chokehold!
Before she taps, Leon Chant is able to break it up with a boot right across Tommy’s face! That lets the hold go as Chant lifts up Tommy and throws him back to the canvas with a body slam. Chant runs off the ropes and hits a big splash. He stayed on top of Tommy.
One!
Two……….
And that gets broken up with Finn springboard in with a double stomp to Leon’s back! Finn doesn’t waste a moment pulling up a weakened Tommy instead and hits the ScRM! Cover!
One!
Twoooooooooo…….
Nooooooooooo! Eli is able to stop the count. Finn was not happy about it, obviously and tried to go for a ScRM on Eli but Dresden is able to stop the move. Instead, Dresden is able to elbow Finn in the face, go behind him and leap up for a reverse rana spiking him on his head. With a moment open, she goes to the top rope and flies off WITH THE INCOMING! All of her weight lands on the champion as she scoots back into a cover.
One!
Twoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Nah. Not today. Leon is able to stop the count by lifting up Eli and THEN POWERBOMBING HER BACK ON TOP OF FINN! Tommy tries to sneak behind and lift Leon for Death Becomes You, but Leon is just a bit too large. Chant smirks but not for long as TOMMY TAKES HIM TO DICK KICK CITY! Tommy then applied a perfect inside cradle right after!
One!
Twoooooooooo
Thr……..
Wow so close and yet so far away as Leon kicked out. Tommy let him be and focused his attention to Finn. He pulled up the champion, wanting to make the ultimate statement by beating the champion. He goes for Death Becomes You BUT FINN IS ABLE TO FRANKENSTEINER HIS WAY OUT OF THE MOVE AS A REVERSAL! FINN USES THE SURPRISE TO SCRAMBLE AND HIT THE REVELATION 6:4!!!! COVER.
ONE!
TWOOOOOO
THRE…..
ELI JUST BREAKS IT UP IN TIME! Finn says something about what a bitch as Eli dropkicks him in the back of the head. She heads to a corner. Finn gets back to his feet as Eli fires out like she’s been shot out of a cannon and takes him down with The OMFN! Finn rolls out of the ring before she can cover him. Leon Chant is starting to get back up as she looks for another OMFN. Dresden runs full bore at Chant looking to finish this match off BUT HE CATCHES HER, THROWS HER INTO THE AIR AND HITS THE POP UP POWERBOMB! COVER!
ONE!
TWOOOOOOOO!
...
BUILDING SUSPENSE!
THREEEEEEEEE!
Tommy Kelly was a second too late stopping it. Leon lights up as the bell rings for the second time tonight as the NLW Heavyweight Championship is handed to him.
[WINNER AND NEW NLW HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Leon Chant Via Pop up Powerbomb at 28:09]
"Oh Hell Yes! I'm a nervous wreck!"
Dan Simmons: Ladies and gentleman, he was here on day one, he is here on day three hundred sixty five, and he is once again your NLW Heavyweight Champion!
Tommy West: Pfft, I bet the management's happy about that.
Dan Simmons: Why can't you just be happy for somebody?! Besides, BB-
Dan doesn't get to reply, because all of a sudden Chant's music cuts and is replaced by "Put Em In Their Place" by Mobb Deep and Ricardo Goon walks onto the stage.
Tommy West: I had a feeling that this guy would want to say hello!
Dan Simmons: Well, I can't say I'm surprised either. Folks, Ricardo Goon is here, he is the winner of the G1 and next man up, he will face Leon Chant at Homecoming II.
Goon goes straight to the ring, Chant stands firm and Goon slides in and goes nose to nose with the new champion, the pair butt heads and exchange plenty of verbals, neither going to back down. Eventually Goon takes a step back and tells Chant he'll see him real soon, and to enjoy it whilst it lasts. Chant flickers a smirk back as the G1 winner backs away and slinks off up the ramp. Chant simply raises his title once more and the crowd pop once more.
Dan Simmons: Something tells me these two are going to go to war over the coming weeks and months! But folks, it's time to say goodbye, we hope you've enjoyed tonight as you have the entire year we've been with you, we'll see you in two weeks when we see the Tag Tournament continue, until then, from me and Tommy, see ya' soon!
