From NLW Ascendency XXV...
Nov 13, 2021 18:32:11 GMT -5
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Post by Adrien on Nov 13, 2021 18:32:11 GMT -5
The cameras cut backstage to the parking lot of the Lakefront Arena as a Mercedes-Benz sits near one of the entries to the Arena. It appears to have about three occupants in the vehicle that the camera crew only sees as silhouettes from their angle. The driver turns to the person sitting in the backseat and begins speaking.
Voice: So this is how we’re going to play it. I’m going to go in first. Talk everyone up a little bit and get them a little excited. You go ahead and hop out a couple of minutes after me and wait by the curtain. You will know your cue when it’s time for you to come on out to the ring and I’ll let you talk for a little bit. Sound like a plan?
The second person simply nods their head. The driver then turns to the person in the passenger seat of the car.
Voice: Just go ahead and let our friend out and park this where we normally park when we come to the Lakefront. I appreciate you, Eddie.
Dan Simmons: Wait, Eddie?
Tommy West: That voice does not belong to Adam Sanders. That has to mean…
The door swings open and the driver is revealed: it’s New Orleans native and former X*Crown Champion Adrien Cochrane. The fans in the Lakefront Arena begin to cheer as the Dropkick King exits the car and immediately opens the double doors to enter the building.
Dan Simmons: I think Cochrane is heading this way! But who is in the car with them?
Tommy West: I mean, other than Eddie Walker, I have no idea. I’m guessing we aren’t talking about his wife, that’s for sure.
Cochrane keeps walking down the hallway as the camera follows him. He finishes off a bottle of water before tossing it into a recycling bin in the middle of the hallway before he approaches the curtain and waits for his music. The cameras now cut to ringside with the fans still cheering for their hometown favorite.
Tommy West: Well, I guess we are about to find out what he’s doing here.
Dan Simmons: Yes indeed. Here he comes!
The lights turn off for a moment. The dueling guitar riffs from Simple Plan guitarists Sébastien Lefebvre and Jeff Stinco from their song “Last One Standing” as the screen reads “#Believe” in a light blue font. With a solitary spotlight on the top of the ramp, Adrien Cochrane appears the moment Pierre Bouvier’s vocals begin to echo throughout the venue.
“How many times are you gonna try to shut me out?
I told you once, told you twice, I ain't going to turn back around
You can say whatever, try to mess with me
I don't care, I'm not scared
You don't have to say you're sorry, save your sympathy
With a friend like you, I don't need an enemy
I would give you time if you were worth it
But guess what, you're not worth it”
The Dropkick King gives a few respecting bows to a few fans on the way to the ring and even clearly says thank you to many of the fans who are cheering him on before rolling into the ring. Proudly donning his Guardians t-shirt, he is given a microphone from Marty Watts and waits for “Last One Standing” to fade before speaking to the cheering fans.
Dan Simmons: This is just a quick reminder that the last time Adrien has appeared in NLW, he defeated Dylan Black for the XHF X*Crown Championship.
Tommy West: Cochrane appearances are sporadic here but they are usually memorable.
Right before Adrien speaks, the cameras go back to Adrien’s Mercedes. The other occupant has already exited the vehicle, and the last thing it sees is Eddie Walker hopping in the driver’s seat to drive off. Cochrane smiles as he watches his car on the big screen keep his surprise hidden for the time being.
Adrien Cochrane: To my fellow New Orleanians, how are WE DOING TONIGHT?!
The fans give a loud cheer in response to his question as the smile widens on the Cajun Sensation.
Adrien Cochrane: We got that cold front starting to come in over here. It’s definitely gumbo weather coming this following week. We have crawfish season starting soon. We have Mardi Gras coming shortly after that and man, our New Orleans Saints are fighting through more injuries than I can keep track of and would still qualify for the NFL playoffs if the season ended right now. We are a strong city that has never backed down from anyone or anything. This is a city I am PROUD to call my home. And let me tell you something, New Orleans… this is my favorite place for me to make some more memories in the ring.
Every fan in the Lakefront Arena starts to gasp and the commentators can’t help but comment.
Dan Simmons: So he’s definitely here for a purpose.
Tommy West: I have no idea what yet though. Let’s see what he has up his sleeve.
Adrien Cochrane: See, awhile ago, me and NLW superstar Adam Sanders were in a handful of tag team matches. A few of them were in the 2020 AWF Fired Up tournament. We also got a big victory against the Graham Brothers at XHF Supremacy. But you see, we are registered in the XHF offices as the Guardians. But it’s more than just me and Adam that has that name. See, there’s several people who fight under that name. Actually, one of my previous Guardians from before I came to the XHF just signed her paperwork to start competing in FWA. I spoke with officials in how the rules work for tag teams and how it pertains to how you can challenge for the XHF Tag Team Championship.
More cheers, now that some semblance of Adrien’s purpose tonight is clear.
Dan Simmons: Well, it appears Adrien is about to challenge for the tag titles.
Tommy West: That’s fine and all, but who is he talking about partnering with?
Adrien Cochrane: See, anyone who is part of the Guardians can challenge with me under the freebird rules. So I had some options. I could work with my sister-in-law Jessica Matthews who just unretired from active competition to fight. I could pick my student here in NLW in Adam Sanders. I could call on a man who I fought for many championships in Johnny Maverick. I could even call up my former FWA boss, Solomon Graham. But I decided to go a different direction. Because there is someone who I’ve known longer than all of them…
Dan Simmons: Wait, what?!
Tommy West: I thought for sure that he would have picked Adam Sanders.
Adrien Cochrane: Don’t get me wrong, if we are successful, all of these people will have a share of the championship. If we are successful, various combinations of Guardians will be defending it. But to win it, I wanted to call in the biggest gun I figured I could call. I called on someone who is TEARING through anyone who has stood in their way. I want to ride the hot hand. So I chose the newest Guardian. I chose the person who not only took down MAJESTY but held them off in a rematch.
Dan Simmons: Wait…!
Tommy West: Uh oh.
Adrien Cochrane: I wanted to grab someone who is at the top of her game right now. So may I publicly announce my newest Guardian… one of my oldest and dearest friends in this industry… the World Heavyweight Champion of FIRESIDE. Please welcome to this ring right now… NATALIE BURROWS!!
‘Breathe Again’ by Pop Evil hits the sound system… and the fans hit their feet with cheers, cheers that only get louder as the Southern Belle herself comes out from behind the curtain. Natalie Burrows has the FIRESIDE World Championship around her waist, leaving her hands free to slap the hands of the fans as she makes her way to the ring. Adrien holds the ropes open for his fellow Guardian to step into the ring, the pair hugging one another briefly in greeting.
Dan Simmons: Oh my God! FIRESIDE’s World Champion is here in NLW!
Tommy West: Natalie may be one of the most polite people you’ll ever meet, but she’s an absolute beast once the bell rings!
There’s a bit of an exchange between Burrows and Cochrane before the Cajun Sensation hands the mic over to the Southern Belle.
Natalie Burrows: Good evening, NLW. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
The crowd cheers in response to the blond’s greeting, her smile growing all the warmer as she nods in thanks.
Natalie Burrows: Goodness, such a warm welcome--I can see where you get that welcoming nature of yours, Adrien!
Adrien grins widely before nodding his head and mouthing the words “Southern Hospitality” to his longtime friend. Natalie laughs before she continues.
Natalie Burrows: But for all that I want to simply show my appreciation for that, the fact remains that we’ve got serious business to address even if, on the surface, the Crinkly Bottom Boys appear to be… well, a little silly, I suppose you could say. Even if they came out of End of Days with the XHF Tag Team Championships, it could be easy to take them at face value.I know full well that appearances can be deceiving--Bless, how many times have my opponents overlooked me because I mind my manners?
Natalie turns her gaze to one of the cameras, addressing it directly.
Natalie Burrows: Pleases and thank yous don’t make my kicks sting any less, I assure you. They never have, and they never will.
Dan Simmons: They sure don’t!
Tommy West: And she’s proven that time and time again!
The Southern Belle nods, satisfied in getting that point across before she moves on.
Natalie Burrows: Anyway, Mister Edmonds and Mister Blobby will soon find that out for themselves firsthand when Adrien and I square off against them… but I reckon that leaves one important question to ask. When will we be making that challenge?
Burrows hands the microphone to the Original Guardian for him to answer.
Adrien Cochrane: I figure with a show called Homecoming, it would be fitting for one of the natives stepping into the ring to compete. So the Guardians will officially cash in the points we have accumulated to challenge the Crinkly Bottom Boys at NLW Homecoming for the XHF Tag Team Championship!!
The crowd loudly cheers Adrien’s announcement, the Southern Belle nodding in agreement before taking the offered mic from the man who will be her partner at Homecoming.
Natalie Burrows: The challenge ahead of us is clear. Will the Crinkly Bottom Boys be able to hold us off? There’s only one way to find out… but if I were you? I’d #BELIEVE in the Guardians.
Natalie Burrows drops the microphone before “War” by Sum 41 starts to play on the PA speakers instead of either of their individual themes. The duo roll out of the ring before making their way back up the ramp.
Dan Simmons: Incredible! The Crinkly Bottom Boys have one tough first test as XHF Tag Team Champions.
Tommy West: A current World Champion and former X*Crown Champion… yeah, not an easy task for them. All the more reason to see what happens in two weeks at NLW Homecoming II!!
Voice: So this is how we’re going to play it. I’m going to go in first. Talk everyone up a little bit and get them a little excited. You go ahead and hop out a couple of minutes after me and wait by the curtain. You will know your cue when it’s time for you to come on out to the ring and I’ll let you talk for a little bit. Sound like a plan?
The second person simply nods their head. The driver then turns to the person in the passenger seat of the car.
Voice: Just go ahead and let our friend out and park this where we normally park when we come to the Lakefront. I appreciate you, Eddie.
Dan Simmons: Wait, Eddie?
Tommy West: That voice does not belong to Adam Sanders. That has to mean…
The door swings open and the driver is revealed: it’s New Orleans native and former X*Crown Champion Adrien Cochrane. The fans in the Lakefront Arena begin to cheer as the Dropkick King exits the car and immediately opens the double doors to enter the building.
Dan Simmons: I think Cochrane is heading this way! But who is in the car with them?
Tommy West: I mean, other than Eddie Walker, I have no idea. I’m guessing we aren’t talking about his wife, that’s for sure.
Cochrane keeps walking down the hallway as the camera follows him. He finishes off a bottle of water before tossing it into a recycling bin in the middle of the hallway before he approaches the curtain and waits for his music. The cameras now cut to ringside with the fans still cheering for their hometown favorite.
Tommy West: Well, I guess we are about to find out what he’s doing here.
Dan Simmons: Yes indeed. Here he comes!
The lights turn off for a moment. The dueling guitar riffs from Simple Plan guitarists Sébastien Lefebvre and Jeff Stinco from their song “Last One Standing” as the screen reads “#Believe” in a light blue font. With a solitary spotlight on the top of the ramp, Adrien Cochrane appears the moment Pierre Bouvier’s vocals begin to echo throughout the venue.
“How many times are you gonna try to shut me out?
I told you once, told you twice, I ain't going to turn back around
You can say whatever, try to mess with me
I don't care, I'm not scared
You don't have to say you're sorry, save your sympathy
With a friend like you, I don't need an enemy
I would give you time if you were worth it
But guess what, you're not worth it”
The Dropkick King gives a few respecting bows to a few fans on the way to the ring and even clearly says thank you to many of the fans who are cheering him on before rolling into the ring. Proudly donning his Guardians t-shirt, he is given a microphone from Marty Watts and waits for “Last One Standing” to fade before speaking to the cheering fans.
Dan Simmons: This is just a quick reminder that the last time Adrien has appeared in NLW, he defeated Dylan Black for the XHF X*Crown Championship.
Tommy West: Cochrane appearances are sporadic here but they are usually memorable.
Right before Adrien speaks, the cameras go back to Adrien’s Mercedes. The other occupant has already exited the vehicle, and the last thing it sees is Eddie Walker hopping in the driver’s seat to drive off. Cochrane smiles as he watches his car on the big screen keep his surprise hidden for the time being.
Adrien Cochrane: To my fellow New Orleanians, how are WE DOING TONIGHT?!
The fans give a loud cheer in response to his question as the smile widens on the Cajun Sensation.
Adrien Cochrane: We got that cold front starting to come in over here. It’s definitely gumbo weather coming this following week. We have crawfish season starting soon. We have Mardi Gras coming shortly after that and man, our New Orleans Saints are fighting through more injuries than I can keep track of and would still qualify for the NFL playoffs if the season ended right now. We are a strong city that has never backed down from anyone or anything. This is a city I am PROUD to call my home. And let me tell you something, New Orleans… this is my favorite place for me to make some more memories in the ring.
Every fan in the Lakefront Arena starts to gasp and the commentators can’t help but comment.
Dan Simmons: So he’s definitely here for a purpose.
Tommy West: I have no idea what yet though. Let’s see what he has up his sleeve.
Adrien Cochrane: See, awhile ago, me and NLW superstar Adam Sanders were in a handful of tag team matches. A few of them were in the 2020 AWF Fired Up tournament. We also got a big victory against the Graham Brothers at XHF Supremacy. But you see, we are registered in the XHF offices as the Guardians. But it’s more than just me and Adam that has that name. See, there’s several people who fight under that name. Actually, one of my previous Guardians from before I came to the XHF just signed her paperwork to start competing in FWA. I spoke with officials in how the rules work for tag teams and how it pertains to how you can challenge for the XHF Tag Team Championship.
More cheers, now that some semblance of Adrien’s purpose tonight is clear.
Dan Simmons: Well, it appears Adrien is about to challenge for the tag titles.
Tommy West: That’s fine and all, but who is he talking about partnering with?
Adrien Cochrane: See, anyone who is part of the Guardians can challenge with me under the freebird rules. So I had some options. I could work with my sister-in-law Jessica Matthews who just unretired from active competition to fight. I could pick my student here in NLW in Adam Sanders. I could call on a man who I fought for many championships in Johnny Maverick. I could even call up my former FWA boss, Solomon Graham. But I decided to go a different direction. Because there is someone who I’ve known longer than all of them…
Dan Simmons: Wait, what?!
Tommy West: I thought for sure that he would have picked Adam Sanders.
Adrien Cochrane: Don’t get me wrong, if we are successful, all of these people will have a share of the championship. If we are successful, various combinations of Guardians will be defending it. But to win it, I wanted to call in the biggest gun I figured I could call. I called on someone who is TEARING through anyone who has stood in their way. I want to ride the hot hand. So I chose the newest Guardian. I chose the person who not only took down MAJESTY but held them off in a rematch.
Dan Simmons: Wait…!
Tommy West: Uh oh.
Adrien Cochrane: I wanted to grab someone who is at the top of her game right now. So may I publicly announce my newest Guardian… one of my oldest and dearest friends in this industry… the World Heavyweight Champion of FIRESIDE. Please welcome to this ring right now… NATALIE BURROWS!!
‘Breathe Again’ by Pop Evil hits the sound system… and the fans hit their feet with cheers, cheers that only get louder as the Southern Belle herself comes out from behind the curtain. Natalie Burrows has the FIRESIDE World Championship around her waist, leaving her hands free to slap the hands of the fans as she makes her way to the ring. Adrien holds the ropes open for his fellow Guardian to step into the ring, the pair hugging one another briefly in greeting.
Dan Simmons: Oh my God! FIRESIDE’s World Champion is here in NLW!
Tommy West: Natalie may be one of the most polite people you’ll ever meet, but she’s an absolute beast once the bell rings!
There’s a bit of an exchange between Burrows and Cochrane before the Cajun Sensation hands the mic over to the Southern Belle.
Natalie Burrows: Good evening, NLW. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance!
The crowd cheers in response to the blond’s greeting, her smile growing all the warmer as she nods in thanks.
Natalie Burrows: Goodness, such a warm welcome--I can see where you get that welcoming nature of yours, Adrien!
Adrien grins widely before nodding his head and mouthing the words “Southern Hospitality” to his longtime friend. Natalie laughs before she continues.
Natalie Burrows: But for all that I want to simply show my appreciation for that, the fact remains that we’ve got serious business to address even if, on the surface, the Crinkly Bottom Boys appear to be… well, a little silly, I suppose you could say. Even if they came out of End of Days with the XHF Tag Team Championships, it could be easy to take them at face value.I know full well that appearances can be deceiving--Bless, how many times have my opponents overlooked me because I mind my manners?
Natalie turns her gaze to one of the cameras, addressing it directly.
Natalie Burrows: Pleases and thank yous don’t make my kicks sting any less, I assure you. They never have, and they never will.
Dan Simmons: They sure don’t!
Tommy West: And she’s proven that time and time again!
The Southern Belle nods, satisfied in getting that point across before she moves on.
Natalie Burrows: Anyway, Mister Edmonds and Mister Blobby will soon find that out for themselves firsthand when Adrien and I square off against them… but I reckon that leaves one important question to ask. When will we be making that challenge?
Burrows hands the microphone to the Original Guardian for him to answer.
Adrien Cochrane: I figure with a show called Homecoming, it would be fitting for one of the natives stepping into the ring to compete. So the Guardians will officially cash in the points we have accumulated to challenge the Crinkly Bottom Boys at NLW Homecoming for the XHF Tag Team Championship!!
The crowd loudly cheers Adrien’s announcement, the Southern Belle nodding in agreement before taking the offered mic from the man who will be her partner at Homecoming.
Natalie Burrows: The challenge ahead of us is clear. Will the Crinkly Bottom Boys be able to hold us off? There’s only one way to find out… but if I were you? I’d #BELIEVE in the Guardians.
Natalie Burrows drops the microphone before “War” by Sum 41 starts to play on the PA speakers instead of either of their individual themes. The duo roll out of the ring before making their way back up the ramp.
Dan Simmons: Incredible! The Crinkly Bottom Boys have one tough first test as XHF Tag Team Champions.
Tommy West: A current World Champion and former X*Crown Champion… yeah, not an easy task for them. All the more reason to see what happens in two weeks at NLW Homecoming II!!