NLW ASCENDANCY XXVII - OFN III | Sunday, 12/26/2021 | LIVE
Dec 12, 2021 13:06:37 GMT -5
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Post by Kris on Dec 12, 2021 13:06:37 GMT -5
Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDANCY XXVII - OPEN FIGHT NIGHT III
LIVE from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Sunday, December 26th, 2021
As the visual fades in, the viewers at home are treated to the interior of the Lakefront Arena as ‘Obey’ blares over the sound system, the cheers of the fans rivaling the music’s volume as they eagerly wait for Ascendancy–and Open Fight Night–to get underway. The camera pans over the fans and their signs supporting their favorites as multi-colored lights swirll over the assembled masses, one final sweep taken before the camera cuts to the announce desk.
Dan Simmons: Good evening, everyone… and welcome to Ascendancy’s third rendition of Open Fight Night! I’m Dan Simmons, and joining me as always is Tommy West–and I think you’ll agree with me, Tommy, when I say that tonight’s card is stacked!
Tommy West: It absolutely is, Simmo! From the debut of Razor Blade and BDE to Florida Man defending the XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship against our very own Chris Sanderson in the main event, there’s enough action here to be a pay-per-view show!
Dan Simmons: We also can’t forget to mention how the NLW Southern States Championship is on the line as the Thespian squares off against Sexton Love! Things got ugly and personal fast last episode of Ascendancy, and I don’t think things have gotten any more friendly since!
Tommy West: Speaking of personal, it’s been almost one year since Eli Dresden helped herself to Jason Long’s trademark light-up shades–and tonight, the King is back to lay claim to what is his! But with the defense of the trident coming up, Dresden’s not gonna go down without a fight!
Dan Simmons: We’re also gonna see a slobberknocker between Nathan Parker and David Goon after some strong words were exchanged between the two men! I doubt the ring is gonna be able to contain those two, Tommy!
Tommy West: Ordinarily, I’d think you were right… but Nathan Cage is on the card tonight, going up against Bloodied Fox is what is bound to become an instant classic! Will the Fox outwit and out-wrestle the Rabid Dog, or will the wily predator become prey?
Dan Simmons: And I think it bears repeating that the XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship will be defended tonight by Florida Man, an unconventional to say the least talent. Will Chris Sanderson finally find success in title competition, or will he fall short?
Tommy West: There’s only one way to find out… and that’s to get the show on the road with our opener, a double-fister of a debut featuring Razor Blade taking on BDE! Let’s get to the action!
MATCH ONE
Big Richard Energy vs Razor Blade
There was a buzz about the opener, Razor Blade came with a lot of hype, but Richard Energy was not an unknown quantity in the XHF Network. Big Dick had been a hard favourite in MCCW as well as FWA, and had earned wins against names bigger than his frame. Energy started the hotter as well, backing the “best in the world” up into the corner after a collar and elbow tie up, the referee asked for a clean break and Richard obliged, Razor however wasn’t impressed and slapped Big Richard across the face. This was a mistake. Energy grabbed both hands behind Razor’s neck and tossed him back to the centre of the ring. Razor was back up but was cleaned out with a clothesline, and as he got up again Energy went to the ropes and blindsided him with a pounce so big that it sent Razor Blade out under the bottom rope and needing to regroup with Latoya Hixx.
Energy was pumped up and amped the crowd up, before sliding out of the ring to get back on Razor, who had taken enough time to prepare and met Richard with a stiff kick to the gut, and promptly followed this by tossing him into the ring steps. Energy was favouring his shoulder immediately, but Razor wasn’t going to let up, and rolled him back into the ring. He waited for Energy to get back to his feet and cleaned him out with a springboard clothesline. Razor was immediately in control now, and kept Energy grounded with constant kicks, and when he got beyond being on his knees Razor would apply an armbar or wrench at the favoured shoulder. He then booted him in the gut and impressively hit a double underhook backbreaker.
Razor goaded the fans at this point, and perhaps this was his biggest error, as this allowed Energy some time to collect himself, and as Razor gathered him up once again he put some punches into his gut, and started getting back to his feet. Blade fought back and booted him in the midsection, and looked to hit a piledriver, but Big Dick powered out and hit a back body drop. This gave him a second wind, Blade was back up but ate a headbutt which knocked him back to the ropes, he rebounded off and Energy collected him and hit an overhead belly to belly. Hixx screamed at Blade to get up and warned him of the oncoming danger, but it didn’t stop Energy picking him up and whipping him to the ropes, and Big Richard popped him up and hit a huge Samoan drop, making a cover and getting a two count.
Energy was rolling, but Razor Blade was not going to lie down and take it, he put a few stiff rights onto Energy to slow him down, but Big Dick didn’t take too well to this and once again put a headbutt on him to knock him back, he stumbled away and grabbed the ropes, but turning away from Energy did not help him, as Richard grabbed him around the waist and hit a release German Suplex. Energy assessed where Razor was and climbed to the top rope, he went for The Big Ending [moonsault], but Blade rolled away, leaving Richard to eat the mat. Blade got back to his feet and wasn’t going to make any more mistakes, and he stalked Richard and hit him with the Razor GTS, making the cover and getting the win on his debut!
[WINNER: Razor Blade Via Razor GTS at 05:15]
As part of a small intermission between the matches, ‘Giving Bad People Good Ideas’ begins to play through the arena and the crowd’s boos become intense. The curtain opens up wide just as Devin Mitchell walks through and stands just past the curtain, looking around him with a snarling look to his face before making his slow-paced walk to the ring.
Dan Simmons: Just judging by the look that’s on Devin’s face right now, he’s definitely not too pleased with how the last Ascendancy turned out to be for him and now, with two losses under his name and missing out on the important show that was Homecoming II? This hasn’t been the greatest run for someone like himself, don’t you agree?
Tommy West: Not at all and judging how nobody was expecting him to be here tonight, I think that we’re going to be hearing some words from Devin Mitchell from all of this, especially from his loss against Al Jabroni and Chris Sanderson.
Devin stepped through the ropes and pulled out a microphone from his jacket pocket, circling around the ring as the music began to fade away, letting the words come to mind before he’d speak. Devin came back around and stood in the middle of the ring, hanging his head before lifting it back up to speak into the microphone.
Devin Mitchell: …fraudulent victories.
Just as he speaks, he soon pauses for a moment.
Devin Mitchell: You could admit to it that I am right when making that statement or you can just tell me that I’m wrong when I say that there’s been some clear bullshit happening, but the truth is the truth at the end of the day and all I’ve been picking up lately is nothing but fraudulent victories. Paint the picture real quick and let examples play out, you’d all want to stick around and tell me people like Al Jabroni or even someone like Chris Sanderson – who, by the way, is getting another undeserving championship match – are even closely, or even remotely, better than someone like me?
A loud scoff is heard from the microphone, Devin rolled his eyes as it was picked up by the hard camera.
Devin Mitchell: This whole concept of giving the undeserving something that they might need to boost their own confidence is equally as insane as others would’ve put it, this whole concept of giving the unwanted the attention that they’ve been desiring for such a long time is disgusting behaviour and the fact that some place like Next Level Wrestling has been providing the likes of such before you? It’s damn near disgusting on all fronts and it makes me fucking sick. It makes me sick knowing that everyone you’ve been cheering, hootering, or even hollering about? Absolute fucking nobodies when the attention, the confidence, and even the glory that they’re given on a daily basis for just trying their best is stripped away from them and sucked out of them.
Another pause.
Devin Mitchell: But paint me to be the villain, paint me to be the bad man in all of this, I’m just putting all of these fake fucking pricks on blast because nobody can quite understand what this sport means to me and what it has done for my family and the generations that’ll come after me.
A beat.
Devin Mitchell: But here’s the thing, I didn’t come out here tonight to just get things off of my chest, I actually came here tonight to fight and to take on whoever it is that comes out from the back to take me on. I dare anyone, and I fucking mean anyone to come out from the back and fight me one on one because I am sick and tired of the egos being boosted, I am tired of the confidence boosts that this company gives to the weak, and I am tired of each and every single one of these bums getting something when the real deserving get jack fucking shi—
The voice of Devin Mitchell is soon cut off by the opening riffs of ‘Hydrograd’ by Stone Sour as all of the lights turn their direction towards the entrance curtain, the music has everyone inside of the arena in a bit of confusion for just a moment – whilst some are beginning to cheer, hoping it to be a returning member of the roster that’s coming to save the day – until the screen above the stage pours down the name of–
SCOTT HAMPTON
–and the crowd’s cheerful reaction becomes a sourful chorus of boos for the returning Best Kept Secret as the chorus hits the speakers and soon, the curtain opens up to let him walk through. Scott Hampton, after not being seen in over four months, steps through and has a large smile resting along his face and his arms stretched out to soak in that negative crowd reaction that’s being given to him.
Tommy West: SIMMO! HE’S BACK! SCOTT HAMPTON! HE’S BACK AND HE’S WALKING!
Dan Simmons: I never thought that we’d see Scott Hampton back again in the flesh after everything that he had went through in an Unsanctioned Match against Jason Long back in August — but the man has come back around and by god, he’s loving every second of this, he’s loving every single second of this!
Tommy West: He walked out of Collision Course in a bloodied mess and with trash being thrown at him, Simmo. He’s loathing this kind of reaction from New Orleans right now, this is what he’s wanted for so long it seems! Look at the smile that’s on that man’s face right now!
Dan Simmons: But look at the smile that’s on Devin Mitchell’s face as well… he has no clue what he’s just got himself into.
Hampton found himself down at ringside as he looked up into the ring and saw Devin Mitchell looking down with a menacing look on his face, but Scott just smiled as he climbed up the steps and headed into the ring, entering through the middle ropes and skipping along towards the far ropes to him--which are the closest ropes to the hard camera. His arms are stretched out wide as he continues to smile for the camera as the music was soon fading away.
Devin Mitchell: Who... in the hell... are you to be interrupting me and just walk around here all willingly through these ropes, huh? Just some nobody that wants to come out here and think he's the fan favouri-
AND SCOTT CHARGED IN WITH THE JUMPING SIDE AXE KICK TO DEVIN! DOWN GOES MITCHELL!
Tommy West: WOAH! Is this a new side to Scott Hampton!? Has he seen the light since Collision Course?!
Dan Simmons: AND WHAT A KICK THAT WAS! HOLY SMOKES!
Hampton is able to pick himself back up after dropping Mitchell down to the mat, along with picking up the microphone as he brings it close to his mouth and holds it there for a moment as the boos soon turned to some slight cheers?
Scott Hampton: Let's cut to the chase here and not keep things waiting around, alright?
Hampton gives a moment of pause to himself, walking around the ring and just soaking in those seldom cheers that are heard from the crowd.
Scott Hampton: Four months ago, I walked out of this building with my head held high and taking the legacy of a supposed 'king' that people continued to cheer on for. Now, the poor bastard couldn't even hold his own weight in Sin City Championship Wrestling, and all I could think about was me... being the man that done that to him--but that's besides the point because the point of it all, that whole match ending the way it did?
As he leaned against the ropes, a large smile grew on his face again and he looked directly into the hard camera, licking his lips before speaking once more.
Scott Hampton: Because it cleared me of being held back...
A beat.
Scott Hampton: ...and now that I am back? Let's make things clear from here on out, okay? I'm coming for the NLW Heavyweight Championship, one way or another. And I'll wait on it too. Nathan Cage, Ricardo Goon, or absolutely fuckin' whoever has it by the time I come around. That championship has been, and always will be, just waiting for the day that Scott Hampton has his hands on the championship and places himself right where he's belonged all of this time.
Those cheers that he was hearing earlier? They've been completely wiped away and the boos - the ones that He's become used to - have returned and they just make the smile on his face become larger than life.
Scott Hampton: To put things simply? I am back. Scott Hampton is back. And shit, he ain't changed for fuckin' anyone. And with how the landscape has changed since then? I think it's about fuckin' time I welcome all of you to what I - an original to this roster - can bring to the fuckin' table.
A smirk.
Scott Hampton: Vae... fuckin'... victis.
Once again, 'Hydrograd' is heard coming through the speakers as Hampton drops the microphone down onto the ring mat. Keeping that large smile on his face as he stretches his arms out wide to soak in those boos once more, he soon exited the ring and hopped down off of the ring apron, leaving Mitchell to collect himself after that kick from Hampton.
Tommy West: Hampton is back and he's just put out a message directly to the entire Heavyweight Championship scene, he's got nothing to hold him back anymore and he's got sights on something that's been out of arm's reach for over a year since he first arrived -- since Next Level Wrestling has began -- and he's not going to let anyone past him!
Dan Simmons: The message was loud and clear, the direction is set, and Scott Hampton has returned to do what he does best - and that's torturing everyone that walks in his path. My god, 2022 is going to be one hell of a year for this company.
MATCH TWO
David Goon vs Nathan Parker
When the bell rings, there is no show of respect, no collar and elbow tie-up. Instead, David Goon and Nathan Parker collide in the middle of the ring with all the gentleness of a high-speed car crash, the two men unloading on one another with wild fists as the crowd roars its support of the violence on display. Those cheers wind up sticking with Parker when he takes control by pulling David’s head down and blasting him with a vicious headbutt, something that visibly shocks him… but considering how the Goons were a part of E.V.E.’s heinous attack on NLW a few shows back, such is not much of a surprise to anyone else. Nathan just barely manages to retain control of the match with another headbutt when David attempts to take advantage of the former's confusion, the elder Goon brother driven backward into the corner. Nathan whips Goon across the ring to the other, charging after him and leaping into him with a Megaheadbutt. Parker throws Goon down out of the corner for a cover, but the big move comes too early and Goon kicks out.
Parker tries to nail a standing moonsault after the kickout, but Goon had enough time to recover and gets knees up. He stands up sluggishly, but he goes on the offensive, using his height and reach advantage to pepper Parker with punches, and as soon as Parker tries to get close, does some kicks to stay out of his reach. This frustrates Parker visibly, but Goon stays on the offensive, but when he grabs Parker and whips him around to go for a dragon suplex, Parker struggles and elbows out. He does a standing switch, trying to lock Goon in a sleeper, but before he can fully send David to Naptime, Goon lunges forward to clutch onto the ropes to force a break. Parker clubs Goon in the back but breaks before the five count, and as soon as he does, David blasts him with a Superkick! The crowd boos, then pops when Parker kicks out of his own pin attempt.
Goon then pounces on Parker, trying to batter him while on the ground. The ref tries to pull him off, but then Parker grabs Goon, rolls over, and then starts a flurry of headbutts. The crowd cheers, though they are conflicted, then boos resume when Goon pushes Parker off. Parker rushes back to press the advantage, but Goon retreats. But it is a false retreat, he pulls the top rope down and Parker goes tumbling to the outside! More boos rain down, but Goon gives zero shits as he waits, then bounds into the opposite ropes to bounce back and over the top, sandwiching Parker against the mat with a Tope Con Hilo! Goon wipes some blood off his face, a product of the headbutt barrage, before rolling Parker back into the ring. He does not roll in, but hops up to the top rope, but Parker rolls out of the way of Cielo Alto, and before Goon has even stopped recoiling from the failed frog splash, Parker pounces, wrapping himself around David’s neck with a Naptime sleeper hold! Goon struggles to push himself toward the ropes, but the combination of the sleeper and blood loss is too much to overcome, and he succumbs, netting Parker a victory.
[WINNER: Nathan Parker Via Naptime at 08:01]
We cut to the parking lot of the Lakefront Arena where XHF Tag-Team Champions, The Crinkly Bottom Boys have set up a stall.
A crowd of people are milling around as trade seems to be going well.
Noel Edmonds: BUY AN 8 x 10 and get a free Christmas Turkey!
Mr Blobby is looking astounded at the generosity of Edmonds, having been freed from his basement ‘office’ only 24 hours or so previously.
Man: I’ll take an Edmonds photo, please!
Edmonds hands over the photo and turns around to grab a turkey. Mr Blobby’s eyes grow wide as saucers when he sees the photo Noel is using.
Noel hands the turkey over to the man and sends him on his way.
Noel Edmonds: Happy Holidays!
Mr Blobby: BLOBBO! BLOBBO!
Noel Edmonds: What, Blob?
Blobby now has a handful of Edmonds’ 8 x 10s and points at them.
Mr Blobby: Blobbo! Blobbo!
Noel Edmonds: Ah, you think that’s Mongo. That’s not Mongo, well it is now, but it wasn’t. He modelled his entire aesthetic on me. Kind of flattering really, half-tempted to go re-up our contracts at a higher rate when I get a chance.
A fan approaches and Blobby leans over the counter to the woman. She leans forward and pushes her chest together.
Woman: If I pay extra, can I get an autograph too?
Blobby gleefully pulls out a pen and obliges. She passes a note over and Blobby grabs a turkey before slapping his photo on top.
Mr Blobby: Blobby Blobas!
Blobby turns to see a smirking Edmonds.
Noel Edmonds: You’re giving ME grief when you’re out here passing out shots from your Playgirl feature?
Blobby shrugs.
Noel Edmonds: Whatever makes you happy.
The lackadaisical attitude throws Blobby.
Noel Edmonds: We’re doing well. We’re the Network tag champs, we’re undefeated and I’m confident that we can keep both of those statements true after Oh Violent Night! On top of that…
Edmonds picks up the box the turkeys were in and upturns it to show it’s empty.
Noel Edmonds: We’ve helped the good people of Louisiana enjoy the holidays!
Blobby double-fist pumps the air.
Noel Edmonds: The only downside was that I had two tickets to the GUNS show.
Blobby starts to flex his 28 PSI biceps.
Noel Edmonds: No, the actual GUNS show that’s on tonight. It was either go there or do this and this felt better.
Mr Blobby: Blob, Blob Blos!
Noel Edmonds: We weren’t going there to scout them, Blob. We were going there to hobble them!
With that, Edmonds pulls out a box with various instruments sticking out - a stick, a block, a baseball bat, you get the drift.
A man approaches the stall.
Desperate Man: Is that for sale?
Edmonds shrugs.
Desperate Man: I’ll give you twenty bucks for it, my wife asked for a hobbling kit and what do you know? I plain forgot!
Edmonds pushes the box to him and waives the fee as we cut back to ringside.
MATCH THREE
The Guardians (Adam Sanders & Adrien Cochrane) vs The Tilted Cartridges (Wellington Dunne & Cheez)
Tilted Cartridges come out first to Powerglove’s Blasting the Hornet with Cheez doing his usual bit of tossing free but not exactly useful merch to the crowd, such as outdated gaming magazines. Wellington Dunne simply carries Cheez on his shoulders on the way to the ring. While the fans give the goofy team some cheers, everyone rose to their feet when the lights dimmed and Sum 41’s War replaced Powerglove. NLW fan favorite Adam Sanders and hometown hero Adrien Cochrane start making their way down to the ring with Wellington Dunne’s eyes completely fixed on the duo. Once the bell rang, Dunne clearly wanted to be the one in the ring first, starting off with Sanders to represent the Guardians.
Wellington starts off with a spear that catches Sanders off guard. Dunne follows it up with a german suplex and lifts him up to hit him with it again, but Sanders fights him off with some elbows. The much larger and stronger Wellington Dunne grabs Sanders again, who has just enough power to turn it into a swinging neckbreaker. Then to show how much of a “stronger than he looks” fighter Sanders is, he drops Wellington Dunne with a lariat that drops the big man off his feet. By the time Dunne pops back to his feet, Sanders has already made the tag to the former X*Crown Champion. Wellington Dunne looks like he wants some of Cochrane as Cochrane hops over the ropes to enter the match.
The first thing Dunne attempts is a spear, but unlike earlier with Adam, Adrien is able to leap and completely clear Dunne before landing on his feet. He tries to turn around and grab the Dropkick King where he landed, but Cochrane was already bouncing off the ropes and hits a float over DDT on Dunne. He climbs the top rope but Cheez is able to push him off to give Dunne a chance. Before Cochrane can fully recover from that drop, Dunne has already finally gotten his hands on Cochrane and slams him to the mat with an STO. Cover by Dunne and two. Dunne drops Cochrane once more with a headbutt before placing him in a corner. He starts hitting all the chops he can before being told to stop by the referee. Once he stops that, he tries to show the Dropkick King his Glascow Cannon (corner swinging dropkick)… but Cochrane dodges it… AND DELIVERS A DROPKICK OF HIS OWN!! Cochrane dives to tag in Sanders. Close enough to his corner, Dunne tags in Cheez for his first appearance in the match.
The size difference between Cheez and Adam was similar to the difference between Adrien and Dunne. Cheez throws a strike and Sanders brushes it off. Sanders tosses Cheez into the ropes and drives him to the mat with a spinebuster that shakes the ring. Cheez audibly flops after the impact before Sanders gets the cover, but somehow only gets a two count. Sanders yanks Cheez back up and drives him headfirst with the Motor City Circuit (Double Arm DDT) and tries the cover again, but the young featherweight is able to get his shoulder up a second time. Adam Sanders tries to get Cheez in a fireman’s carry to attempt the Dream Breaker (Death Valley Driver), Cheez wiggles free and tries to roll up Adam but even that only gets a two count. Cheez wastes no time tagging in Dunne after realizing the match up was not working in his favor.
Dunne gets into a test of strength with Sanders, and though Adam fights stronger than you’d expect, Dunne is able to win the exchange and sends Adam into the ropes and delivers yet another spear. Now this time, it is Adam being placed in a fireman’s carry position by Dunne, who wants to end the match with the Wild Ride (fireman’s carry neckbreaker) but Adam is the one escaping this time and as soon as Wellington Dunne turns around, lightning has struck as Adam hits the Lightning Strike (Superkick). Cover by Adam and still only a two count. Adam shakes his head before climbing the top rope and waiting for Dunne to get into position for the Flight of the Dragonite (top rope flying clothesline). Dunne is up and Adam flies… AND DUNNE MOVES OUT OF THE WAY! Tag to Cheez, who quickly climbs the top rope himself. As soon as Adam is up, Cheez catches him with a Thanks for the Donation (flying crossbody) and stays on top for the cover but still only a two. Sanders trips Cheez before he can do anything and tags in Cochrane. The moment that tag happens, Cheez’s face turns white as everything he said about Cochrane leading up to the XHF Rumble suddenly flashes before his eyes.
Cheez tries to get to his corner, but the faster Cochrane cuts him off and whips him into the ropes. Upon the rebound, Cochrane delivers a dropkick that connects with Cheez’s jaw. Wellington Dunne comes in to try to save his partner, but Cochrane sidesteps the headbutt and gives him a dropkick for his trouble as well. Sanders takes this as an invitation to get involved as both Guardians send Dunne into a neutral corner. Sanders drops to act as diving board for Cochrane, who leaps off Adam’s back to deliver This Song’s For You (assisting corner hurricanrana) onto Dunne. Sanders now gladly grabs Cheez and lifts him up on his shoulders not unlike Dunne had him on their way to the ring earlier. Cochrane climbs the top rope to deliver the Best MotherFucking DropKick In The World, or the BMFDKITW (doomsday device/missile dropkick). Cover and everyone is surprised when Cheez gets the shoulder up within milliseconds of defeat. The Guardians exchange nods before Sanders lifts him up again into a powerbomb position and Cochrane bounces off the middle ropes, dropping Cheez with the Skyfall (elevated powerbomb, Adam’s Nerd Out into springboard meteora, Adrien’s Crescent City Connection). Adrien catches the legs on the rebound for the cover and the three.
[WINNER: The Guardians Via Skyfall at 10:22]
MATCH FOUR
Eli Dresden vs Jason Long
With Motionless in White as the soundtrack for Eli Dresden, she appears on the ramp with Eddie Walker in the background, still holding the trident she won from Hyperion at Supremacy, something she will be putting on the line once more next month. After holding the trident proudly in the air with a few upward thrusts, the lights turn purple and head straight for the ramp after Kingslayer starts airing on the speakers. The fans are clearly mixed in who they are cheering for, seemingly slightly in favor of the home competitor.
The bell rings and Long gets the quick start with a running bicycle knee strike. The former X*Crown Champion keeps working on Dresden with a spinning back kick that knocks the former NLW Heavyweight Champion off her feet. The moment Dresden tries to pull herself up, an axe kick drops her back down. Cover by Long and two count after the kickout. Long keeps working Dresden with a deadlift german suplex. He climbs the top rope and leaps for a diving foot stomp, but Eli rolls out of the way before Long could connect with her back. Long stumbles a bit after landing awkwardly on his feet and is swung to the ground with a hurricanrana. Embracing that luchador style, Eli Dresden tosses Long back to the mat with an arm drag before going for a cover of her own. Jason Long kicks out with authority.
Jason Long is able to grab a hold of Eli Dresden before she was back up from the pin attempt and is able to twist her into an armbar. Dresden struggles for a bit until she is able to slip her arm out of it after some outside encouragement from Eddie Walker. Long goes for the Irish Revolution (rolling cutter), but Dresden holds the ropes to keep herself upright. When Long turns back around, Eli Dresden drives Long to the mat with a tilt-a-whirl head scissors takedown. Before Jason can reply, Dresden follows up with a springboard elbow and a cover once more and a two count yet again. Dresden gets back up and to the top rope. She leaps for a flying crossbody as soon as Long was up, but he slides underneath the move. Now Jason Long was on the top rope, ready to try to hit a 450 splash to really put a hurting on his opponent… BUT DRESDEN MOVES!!
Both competitors are down for a moment after the missed high-risk move by Jason Long. The referee starts counting them out but Eli Dresden is up at six and Jason Long at eight. Long goes for the spinning back kick, but Eli dodges it and hits a handspring elbow on the former X*Crown Champion. That’s not enough to knock Jason Long off his feet but the springboard dropkick certainly was. Eli keeps it going with a running start to her standing shooting star press before getting the cover to go for the win but Jason Long still kicks out. He tries to get the armbar again on the same arm, but Dresden sees what’s happening and gives him a quick stomp.
Long wildly charges at Dresden, who was back on the ropes but aware enough to yank down the top one. As a result, Jason Long goes tumbling to the outside. Every fan, whether Team Jason or Team Eli, gets on their feet when they see Eli Dresden running against the ropes then right back at Jason before hitting the OH-EM-GEE! (running springboard shooting star press to the outside). Count out gets to five as Walker starts checking on Dresden. Long is still motionless. The count out reaches seven, and Dresden finally rolls into the ring. Just in the nick of time, Jason Long gets back in once the referee announces nine. Jason Long smirks as he realizes he has an opening for a Kingmaker (ripcord discus lariat) on Dresden. Eli Dresden crumbles in the middle of the ring. Jason Long gets the cover… BUT ELI KICKS OUT!!
Jason Long tries to see if a Fallen Kingdom (fireman’s carry Emerald Flowsion) is enough, but Dresden slips out of his grasp. Another lariat from Long and another duck from Eli Dresden, who bounces off the ropes and runs back at Long. Before Long could realize what happened, he was being driven to the mat by Eli’s The OMFN (sling blade). Eli struggles for a moment before being able to catch her bearings to get the cover and the win after a three count.
[WINNER: Eli Dresden Via The OMFN at 13:10]
MATCH FIVE
Nathan Cage vs Bloodied Fox
Nathan Cage’s verbal abuse is going strong even before the bell rings… and when the match is officially underway? That tirade only continues, Bloodied Fox arching a brow in the face of verbal abuse that has felled lesser men all on its own, but otherwise? Fox remains unmoved. The Rabid Dog takes note of this, a loud and emphatic ‘Ha!’ leaving Cage before he’s grinning in approval and meeting Scar Vulp in the middle of the ring for a collar and elbow tie-up, both men putting their backs to it. Cage quickly transitions into a headlock, but before he can do more than that, Fox is reversing, the smaller man quickly sending Cage into the ropes before catching Nathan on the rebound with a drop kick that takes Cage off his feet! The Rabid Dog is quick to regain a vertical base, but Bloodied Fox is back to his feet first just in time to drop Cage with another! This pattern repeats a couple of times before Cage snarls in irritation, bum rushing Fox from the mat to spear his opponent to the mat. The crowd jeers the Rabid Dog as he nails the Bloody Rainmaker in the face with blows, the referee left with no choice but to intervene. Cage lets up somewhere around 4.89 of the five count, Fox looking a little dazed when that distance is forced between the two men. As soon as the referee is out of the way, though, Cage is charging back in–and he gets caught in a small package, the Rabid Dog just barely managing to kick out in time to avoid losing to a clever little trick from Fox!
Fox smirks at Cage once the men separate, tapping the side of his head as if to taunt the Rabid Dog all the more. Of course, that bit of taunting only further provokes the man known as Nathan Cage, charging Bloodied Fox again–but this time, when Nathan takes Fox to the mat with a lariat before following him down? It’s not for another round of brutality. Rather, Cage is making good on the interview he had on WWL and tapping into his technical side, grappling Fox with brute force into Solitary Confinement! Scar Vulp is visibly in pain as the Rabid Dog cinches in his take on the Rings of Saturn, and when Cage begins trying to chew his way into Fox’s skull, the latter’s cries of pain ring out. It’s only a matter of positioning that allows Fox to hook his foot on the bottom rope, the referee once again forcing Cage to give up his rabid hold on his opponent. Blood can be seen starting to seep out of the scrapes Nathan’s teeth left behind, but that doesn’t seem to faze the Bloody Rainmaker. If anything, the feeling of his own blood has Fox snarling at the Rabid Dog who grins maniacally and gestures at his opponent to come at him, a profanity-laden invitation shouted at Scar Vulp who is all too happy to oblige.
What follows is a display of speed and violence that leaves the crowd roaring loud enough to shake the rafters. Any attempt that Cage makes to take the advantage with his striking is countered by Fox digging into his speed and technical skill, with vice versa also proving to be true. Kicks glance off of one another, punches hit nothing but open air… both canine-aligned wrestlers are throwing everything they have at one another, leaving nothing unused. Both men look winded as the action slows, but Fox’s speed means that his blows are beginning to connect. A few good kicks to Cage’s head drops him to the mat, Fox drawing upon his remaining will to rush across the ring and over his downed opponent to springboard off the ropes into a frog splash, Air Vulpine connecting! Getting two and a half off the pinfall attempt, Scar Vulp looks grimly determined as he gets to his feet, knowing full well that Cage’s infamous ability to absorb punishment means he’s still got his work cut out for him–and the way the Rabid Dog fights off his exhaustion to deliver a vicious eye rake the moment he can is a stern reminder of that fact. Ignoring the referee’s threats to disqualify him, Cage takes advantage of the blinded Fox, yoking him up and driving him into the canvas with Death By Cage! The crowd jeers as Cage goes for the cover, the referee getting the three-count as the Rabid Dog gets the win over the Fox!
[WINNER: Nathan Cage Via Death By Cage at 10:41]
I seem to have misplaced my reading glasses...ah, no here they are.
That's better.
I need to be able to see you, I need to be able to look out at you all and see how precious you are to him...too us.
Precious time isn't it?
You don't know how precious it really is until the clocks wind down, the end is nigh for most of you...can't you just feel it in the air, the world doesn't feel like it used to, something has changed and that something walks from out of the darkness…
You might seek to understand…
You may try and work it all out…
You must believe
Come and Play.
COME AND PLAY!!!
The Jitterman's face suddenly appears in front of our very eyes.
WE'RE BAACCKKK!!
The End.
That's better.
I need to be able to see you, I need to be able to look out at you all and see how precious you are to him...too us.
Precious time isn't it?
You don't know how precious it really is until the clocks wind down, the end is nigh for most of you...can't you just feel it in the air, the world doesn't feel like it used to, something has changed and that something walks from out of the darkness…
You might seek to understand…
You may try and work it all out…
You must believe
Come and Play.
COME AND PLAY!!!
The Jitterman's face suddenly appears in front of our very eyes.
WE'RE BAACCKKK!!
The End.
MATCH SIX
NLW SOUTHERN STATES TITLE MATCH
The Thespian (c) vs Sexton Love
The size difference is clear from the start, but Thespian doesn’t seem to be phased. Sexton still lords it over him in a call for a collar-and-elbow lock up, but Thespian smiles (or at least it seems like he does from how his mask moves) and declines. So Sexton scowls and barrels into the Thespian with a nasty lariat. Thespian reels back into the corner where he takes several forceful shoulder blocks, then Sexton stands him up, sandwiches Thespian against the turnbuckles with his much larger body, and when the referee orders a release, Sexton throws Thespian overhead in a Body-to-Belly Suplex. The jaw-jacking begins immediately with Love telling Theo how he should have just taken the lock-up as he gets up. He signals for another one, and Thespian looks like he’ll comply, but he slips out the back at the last second. He pops Sexton with a quick European uppercut, then runs the ropes after ducking a clothesline. He goes for a flying elbow smash, but just gets caught in a Fallaway slam! Sexton then kips up and starts flexing for an unappreciative crowd.
Sexton stays in control of the match for the next minute or two, playing all the hits. When Theo slowly pushes himself up, Sexton is there for a high-angle back suplex. Then he flexes his bicep for the crowd, dropping it (and an elbow) across Theo’s neck, and when Thespian kicks out at two, he does some push-ups. You know, just to stay limber. It’s been all Sexton Love, and he poses for the Love Sexion before taking a sluggish Thespian and setting up for a piledriver. But before he can, Thespian blocks by jamming one arm between Love’s legs and wrapping around his right leg to block the lift. Love squeaks, protesting and calling a low blow, but when the ref inspects, all he sees is the leg hold. So Sexton clubs Thespian in the back, knocking him down while he “discretely” checks himself. He’s no longer amused, but when he goes to pick Thespian back up, he gets another uppercut for his trouble, and when Sexton tries to barrel through him again, Thespian counters the clothesline, catching it to pull him down with a Reverse STO, planting Love’s face! Love favors his face, checking his money maker, and almost forgets to kick out of a pinning predicament, which makes him even less amused.
Love is much more aggressive after that, but that just plays into the Thespian’s hands. He pops Sexton with several more uppercuts, and when Sexton tries to grab him, Thespian ducks, runs, and pulls Sexton down with a running facebuster! Love remembers to keep fighting this time, pushing himself up angrily, just straight punching Thespian with enough force to stagger him, but then Thespian surges forward with a bicycle kick that stuns Love right back, giving him time to run the ropes, and when Love grabs, Thespian dodges in a new way, wrapping Love up and pressing himself up in the air to pull Love down with a wheelbarrow facebuster! Love tries rolling out of the ring to get distance, but Thespian simply gets momentum up and dives through the ropes, blasting Love with a Suicide Dive and driving him back into the barricade!
Love has been getting a little more angry each time Thespian goes for the face, so when he’s recovered a bit from the Suicide Dive, he’s properly angry. The count is at five, and Thespian is about to roll into the ring, but Love grabs his ankle and yanks him back out, breaking the count. Love then throws Thespian as hard as he can into the ring steps, dislodging them with a loud clang. Thespian’s momentum stops dead as Love lifts him up in a bearhug, then sandwiches him against the ring post! The crowd boos as he half-throws a motionless Thespian into the ring, taunting a fan about how Thespian’s got the privilege of touching him, which is better than they’ll ever get, before climbing onto the apron. He then ascends the turnbuckle to land a Love From Above splash, but Thespian manages to kick out with mere millimeters between the ref’s hand and the third count. Love is briefly upset, showing the ref how to count to three, before recomposing himself.
Then he tries to tear off the Thespian’s mask, as promised and previously attempted. This act immediately makes Thespian react and struggle to get Love off of him, and by virtue of the full-body covering, and the ref getting involved to get Love off of Thespian--interfering with an opponent’s ring gear outside of appropriate gimmick matches is hella against the rules--Love is eventually detached from Thespian, this time with no casualty to the suit. The ref scolds Love, reminding him that if he’d been caught grabbing tights in his last match, he would have lost it. Love just shoves past the ref, looking to capitalize, but he’s given Thespian a second wind by angering him, who flies into him with the flying elbow smash he wanted earlier in the match. Love scowls as he stands back up, going for the Rude Awakening, but Thespian spins out, hitting a kick to the back of the leg. After forcing Love to Break a Leg, he wraps his arm around Love’s neck, attempting to force him to Take a Bow. Love has enough power, even in one leg, to power out, shoving Thespian away. Thespian responds by hitting a dropkick to the front of the same knee, dropping Love down, but before he can recover, Thespian charges and blasts Love with a running knee that hits Love dead center in the face. There’s a wicked crack sound, and Love screams. Thespian pins him for a three count, and where the seventh count would have been, he kicks out, flipping over onto his stomach and trying to hide his face from the world as he clutches his nose. Paramedics rush down, and there is blood, but Thespian just retrieves his belt and leaves.
[WINNER: Thespian via Perfect Tragedy at 11:39]
BB Gunn: Good Evening, NLW fans.
We hard cut to the office of BB Gunn, not an unfamiliar scene. He's looking relaxed for the festive period too.
BB Gunn: Open Fight Night has not failed to disappoint once again, but you know me, I'm always looking ahead, and in this instance I'm looking to 2022, and our first show of the year. Abd in that show we are going to have two title matches. First of all the Tag Champions, The End will make their first defence against the men they defeated in the first round of the title tournament, that's right, The Tilted Cartridges get a very serious shot at redemption.
He smirks.
BB Gunn: But it doesn't end there, not you can call me BB Claus because our main event that evening will see a Heavyweight title match. Now, I know Nathan Cage thinks he should be next man up, but I think not...no, instead I would like to present the opportunity to Keahi Sparks, who's put in some big, big scalps over he last dew weeks! So I hope you enjoy our main event next, and it gets you in the mood for our two blockbuster matches!
We cut back to ringside.
MAIN EVENT - MATCH SEVEN
XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT TITLE MATCH
Florida Man (c) vs Chris Sanderson
Both competitors take a long, hard look at each other before slowly start to circle each other. Chris Sanderson, the challenger who has come up short on a couple of occasions now in NLW, tied up with the champion and newcomer to Next Level Wrestling, Florida Man. They start with a collar and elbow lock-up. This seemed to suit Sanderson more, who despite being the challenger has a bigger wrestling pedigree to the man in the ‘gator mask. He lowered himself to lift Florida Man over in a fireman's carry. Florida Man goes over and Sanderson is quick to capture his opponent in a headlock. Florida Man grasps and claws at Chris Sanderson’s arm. He tried to get himself free but Sanderson held him tight. After all, this is for the Junior Heavyweight Championship, and this isn't a match that either competitor would be taking lightly. The referee asked the champion if he wanted to give up, the answer was a resounding no.
If you could see his face beyond the mask you would assume that Florida Man’s face would be scarlet red at this point. You could see his veins popping out of his neck, but he managed to grab the neck of Chris Sanderson and pulled him forward for a take down. Sanderson rolled through and both men got back to their feet, although Florida Man was a bit slower given the submission attempt. Sanderson advanced but Florida Man caught him out and went to his strengths, which involve striking and being efficient in his damage, despite his lumbering presence. He moved forward and aggressively whipped his foot against Sanderson's back. This caused Sanderson to arch his back and let out a yell. Florida Man switches up and puts in a forearm and then a number of knife edge chops. Each strike looks more painful than the last and it backs Sanderson up to the ropes, before Florida Man clotheslines the challenger out of the ring.
Sanderson takes a moment to regroup, the crowd are behind him but he hadn’t quite got the plan to work so far. Florida Man on the other hand wanted to keep his momentum going and went to the ropes, and Sanderson was taken out with a suicide dive. The referee began to count and got to four without either man moving significantly. Both men slowly stirred and Florida Man put another forearm on Sanderson before rolling him into the ring. He went to the top rope and hit a missile dropkick, which he made a cover for but this only drew a two count.
Florida Man asked the ref if there was a chance on improving the count speed, he shook his head at the answer. He wasn’t being aggressive, he just wanted to win…which is fair. The big Gator then went up to Sanderson and brought him back to his feet. He put a knee into Sanderson to subdue him and double him over, but in order to keep the challenger off balance he straightened him up and hit a European uppercut, which forced the Miami native to back up a few feet. He stepped forward but Chris Sanderson caught the champion off guard and hoisted him up in a firemans carry, perhaps looking for either Hit by a Cyclone or Hit by a Hurricane, but Florida Man countered with a DDT! He made the cover and got a two count, but you started to feel that the challenger was on the back foot.
Florida Man got back to his feet and perhaps surprisingly Sanderson wasn’t far behind him. Florida Man went for a clothesline but Chris ducked it, he kept his momentum going and bounced off the rope and before Florida Man could get turned around Sanderson took him down with a chop block that dropped the champion down to a knee. Without hesitation he grabbed the Gator and dropped him with a double arm DDT! He covered but would also only get a two.
Florida Man reverses his tactic and now draws out the money, asking the ref to slow the count on him but the official mentioned something about a cheap and inefficient accountant, which we all understand. Sanderson waits and measures him - he charges and looks for a roaring elbow but Florida Man gets him with the Biggest Package but only gets a two. The challenger is quick to his feet but Florida is there to meet him with a suspiciously low knee to the midsection before nailing him with an Accidental Backdrop Driver.
Keeping the momentum going, the man from Florida whips Sanderson to the ropes but it’s reversed. He ducks Sanderson’s clothesline and stops to try and catch him by surprise but Sanderson continues round with a DISCUS BIG BOOT! Before he can drop to the canvas and cover him, Florida Man has used the momentum to roll to the apron and buy some precious breathing space from the challenger.
Sanderson approaches Florida as he leans on the apron over the top rope but the crazy, crafty Floridian suckers him in and drives his shoulder into the midsection of the NLW member. Acrobatically using the bent over Challenger to leap and roll over, Florida Man grabs a Neck Claw as he rolls to the ground with the Death Roll! Sanderson thrashes and gets a leg on the ropes. At the four count, Florida drops the hold.
Feeling the effects of the hold, Sanderson cradles his neck as he walks towards his opponent and the XHF Junior Heavyweight takes full advantage with a lifting knee to the breadbasket (Gorilla Monsoon™ RIP) that sets him up to lift his prey high into the air FOR THE MINDBLOWER BRAINBUSTER…SANDERSON DROPS DOWN THE BACK!!
UNTITLED FINALE III (COBRA CLUTCH SUPLEX)
THE COVER…
ONE…
TWO…
THREE!!!!
[WINNER AND NEW XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION: Chris Sanderson Via Untitled Finale III at 18:40]
Chris Sanderson rolls away and the referee collects the XHF Junior Heavyweight Title, handing it to him whilst the whole of the Lakepoint Arena is on their feet!
Dan Simmons: Folks, we all knew, we all saw Sanderson's potential and pure talent, but until tonight he has not been able to convert it into gold. Well tonight that changes, tonight we see NLW's own raise his head up and know that he won.
Tommy West: I tell ya' Simmo I doubted him, I thought he was forever the bridesmaid, but he's done it tonight!
Sanderson stands up and heads to the nearest turnbuckle to raise the title above his head to more cheers.
Dan Simmons: What a night, and hell, what a year, and even though 2021 comes to an end, 2022 will start off with some massive matches, join us in two weeks to see Ricardo Goon make his first defence of the NLW Heavyweight Title, as well as The End defending their titles. But until then...goodnight folks!
