NLW Ascendancy XXXI | Saturday, March 5th, 2022 | LIVE
Feb 21, 2022 18:44:53 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 2 more like this
Post by Kris on Feb 21, 2022 18:44:53 GMT -5
Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDENCY XXXI
LIVE from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, March 5th, 2022
'Obey' blares over the speakers on the interior of the Lakefront Arena, the crowd loudly cheering for the episode of Ascendancy that is about to begin. Multi-colored lights swirl over the assembled fans while the camera takes a few panning shots from different angles, signs for NLW's favorites sprinkled here and there. One final pan and the camera cuts to the announce desk where Dan Simmons and Tommy West are ready to get the show underway.
Dan Simmons: Welcome to NLW Ascendancy... and welcome to the fallout of Masquerade 2022! I'm Dan Simmons, and joining me as always is Tommy West. Tonight, we've not only got some big matches planned, but we've also got some big news!
Tommy West: Indeed we do, Simmo! On the next episode of Ascendancy, we have just received word that the main event will see Mehrunes Smith squaring off with Tommy Kelly with the Southern States Championship on the line!
Dan Simmons: That's a huge announcement! Considering that Mehrunes choked Tommy out not too long ago, it's not surprising that BB Gunn is giving one half of the End that opportunity at singles glory!
Tommy West: One man that will be keeping a close eye on that match is one of our newest signings, former X*Crown Champion Spike Kane. It's obvious there's history there, but before Spike can focus on that? He's got Ai Moe and Tuna Meltzer both waiting in the wings to make a good first impression in our opening triple threat!
Dan Simmons: We've also got two former championship teams squaring off as former XHF Tag Team Champions the Crinkly Bottom Boys take on former NLW Tag Team Champions Tilted Cartridges. Management will be watching this one closely, folks!
Tommy West: There's also gonna be a lot of eyes on Adam Sanders as the Awkward One has the opportunity to knock Sexton Love off his self-appointed pedestal of masculinity. Will the Triple X*Crown be on the line tonight? We'll have to wait and see!
Dan Simmons: Tonight's theme seems to be triple threats since we've got Bloodied Fox, Felix, and Keahi Sparks set to face one another! Only one of them will be able to come out on top, and I know for a fact that they're all itching for a win!
Tommy West: Our main event is the crown jewel of the night for sure as the Academy, fresh off their win at Masquerade in what has to be one of the most punishing matches to ever take place on NLW pay-per-view, is set to defend their titles against both the New South and the Straight Edge Society!
Dan Simmons: The Academy has faced some real trials by fire as individuals. Now it's time to see how Leon Chant and Riley Richards face their first true championship test as a team!
Tommy West: But before all of that... it's time to get this show on the road! Marty, take it away!
MATCH ONE
Tuna Meltzer vs Spike Kane vs Ai Moe
Considering the… inflammatory, let’s say, remarks that have been made by Tuna Meltzer, it’s no surprise that once the bell rings? Both Ai Moe and Spike Kane are going for the self-proclaimed Five Star Man who immediately takes a powder, the crowd jeering that show of cowardice. Fortunately for the fans, Ai is quick to shift her focus from one target to the other, the Kawaii Machine nailing the Blood God with a kick to the solar plexus that drives all the air out of him! In spite of how Meltzer winces at that kick, his shout of ‘One star!’ from the outside earns a glare from Moe. It’s only a second, but that’s enough for Spike to grab her and launch her with a German suplex! Spike turns around as Moe starts to get up. Tuna thinks he has an opening and slides in, clipboard in hand. Official Gabe Valentine tries to warn him off, but Tuna knows it’s a triple threat, so when Spike turns around, he shatters the clipboard over his head. Spike recoils, spinning slightly to let Ai rush in with a Shoutei palm strike. She backs into the ropes, and Tuna pushes Spike forward for extra impact on a charging hip attack! Spike goes down and Ai scrambles for a cover, but before Valentine can even get in position, Tuna is pulling her off and trying for the pin himself. Ai doesn’t like that and breaks it up, even as Spike kicks out at one.
Tuna and Moe bicker for a moment before Spike charges in and clotheslines both of them to the ground. Ai is slower to get up, which means Spike turns his attention to Tuna. HIs eyes go as wide as stars as he tries to powder again, but Spike catches him. He then lifts Tuna up into a vertical suplex and holds him there, spinning slightly as he lets all the blood rush to Tuna’s head. But before he drops him, Ai is back up and dropkicks Spike in the knee. The ten combined feet of men fall down. Tuna definitely has the worse outcome, and Ai jumps on his back, tilting him forward for a Gedo Clutch! Tuna’s legs flail as Gabe rushes over, but he figures it out in time to kick out at two. As Tuna gets to his knees, Ai gives him a kick to the chest, and the crowd shouts FIVE STARS! Ai kicks him again a few more times, earning more cheers, but she gets too into it. She grabs Tuna’s arms and rears a leg back to go for the big knee strike, but on the battlefield of love is a waiting Blood God who grabs her leg out of the air and twists it into an Ankle lock! Ai cries out in pain, but insists to Gabe that she isn’t giving up.
Ai is in the submission for a while before she is able to flail her way to the ropes, but when she escapes the hold--not because Gabe breaks it, because there’s no disqualifications, but because Spike knows he can’t win the match if she submits while in the ropes--she clutches her leg and rolls outside, with EMTs rushing down to make sure she didn’t seriously injure herself while struggling. Tuna stayed down the whole time Spike was trying to inflict pain on the Top Kawaii Machine, and as Spike backs away from Ai, Tuna springs up and grabs Spike, lifting him (with visible effort) up for a back drop driver! Gabe rushes over, but Tuna only gets a two count. He starts to sweat when he realizes he has to face Spike one-on-one. He pounces on Spike before he pushes himself up and tries to club him into submission, but the Spiked One shoves Tuna away, and when Tuna rushes back toward him, he catches the Review Machine with a Bloody Sunday spin kick! Tuna goes limp immediately, falling to the mat, but Spike isn’t satisfied until he lifts Tuna into a stalling vertical suplex, but drops into a powerslam that might be more brainbuster. Either way, Spike covers Tuna and Gabe counts to three.
[WINNER: Spike Kane via Spike Impaler at 9:44]
WWWWWEEEEEELLLLLLLL
HE AIN’T MY BOY BUT THE BROTHA IS HEAVY!
The man himself pays as little mind to the reaction as he ever does. Marching down to the ring with the World Championship clipped haphazardly around his waist, gold face sitting askew on his person.
Dan Simmons: At Masquerade, Nathan Cage retained that title in the main event. A tremendous showing against Chris Sanderson. Enough that, astonishingly, Cage seemed to show Sanderson some measure of respect after the match.
Tommy West: I have to disagree there my friend. Nathan Cage doesn’t respect anybody! What we saw at Masquerade was a message to the locker room. That, like it or not, he’s on top and doesn’t plan on going anywhere.
GONE GURU, I’M THE NEW NEHRU!
SO ROCK THE TAMBOURINES AND DIDGERIDOO
I’LL DELIVER WHO-EVER PAYS WHAT’S DUE
THAT’S NINE FOR ME. AND ONE FOR YOU!
Cage undoes the belt from his waist as he enters the ring. Letting the Championship drop gracelessly onto the apron while he steps inside and ascends the nearest corner to another pop from the crowd. He makes a short beckoning motion which is quickly - and with obvious concern - answered with a microphone from a stagehand.
He steps off the turnbuckle and begins pacing back and forth.
Nathan Cage: Chris Sanderson gave it everything he had. But it wasn’t enough!
The Rabid Dog lets the words hang in the air for a moment as his eyes narrow towards the entrance ramp.
Nathan Cage: Thing is, for as great a competitor as he may be, I ain’t out here to blow smoke up my ass about kickin’ his. I’m out here for one simple fuckin’ reason. Nathan Cage is the product of a lotta envy, ya got Keahi Sparks cryin’ backstage, ya got Tommy Kelly with his chest puffed out. Ya got my name in the mouths of a buncha people who’d damn sure love to hold the World Championship in their grubby lil hands! But, for all the talkin’ I’ve been hearin’...
Leaning over the ropes, addressing the locker room with a snarl.
Nathan Cage: I don’t seem to see any challengers.
Nathan Cage: It ain’t any secret where I lay my head, where I hang around backstage or how I conduct myself. You want a shot at this World Championship? You can just come try to fuckin’ take it. You want a shot at shuttin’ me up? You can just come try an’ fuckin take me. If you’re waitin’ on permission, you’re already way behind the curve. So either ya light a fire under your ass now, or-
???: Whoa whoa whoa. Hold on now, Nathan.
Another mix of cheers and boo’s as another member of NLW steps out onto the entrance ramp.
General Manager BB Gunn.
BB Gunn: First things first I wanna congratulate you on retaining the World Championship. In fact, lemme be the first to applaud you for staying on top with the calibre of talent coming after you.
Comedically balancing the microphone in his hands, BB Gunn starts his sarcastic applause. Even beckoning for the audience to join in, Cage merely responds with an emotionless glare.
BB Gunn: But, all respects to Chris Sanderson, it’s time to get moving on. It’s time to figure out the NEXT challenger for your title! It’s ti-
Nathan Cage: ‘COURSE IT’S TIME TO ANNOUNCE THE NEXT CONTENDER YA STUPID BASTARD. SO DO IT!
The sudden burst of Cage’s interjection knocks the GM off his course and causes another pop in the crowd despite or perhaps because of the blatant disrespect. Gunn, for a brief second, shoots his Champion an irritated look before adjusting his suit jacket, clearing his throat and getting back into gear.
BB Gunn: Right you are! So, without further ado, let’s not bore you or these fine people anymore! The next number one contender is…………… FELIX!
A pop amongst the crowd. The Warrior being one of the more undoubtedly popular members of the NLW roster has the audience abuzz. Gunn takes this reaction with a small smirk and holds up a single finger.
BB Gunn: Or… It will be BLOODIED! FOX!
Another pop, though with more audible confusion. Whilst certainly no less popular, Fox being announced alongside Felix has the crowd less clear on what Gunn has planned. He appears pleased by this, his smile growing larger.
BB Gunn: Or. It will be… KEAHI SPARKS!
Yet another pop, the buzz amongst the crowd begins to grow again as they start understanding Gunn’s announcement.
BB Gunn: Because the WINNER of tonight's semi-main event triple threat match; WILL BE the number one contender against Nathan… FUCKING…. Cage!
A short nod of acknowledgement as Gunn basks in the roar of the crowd. Cage appears nonplussed as he cracks his neck and picks his title back up. Gunn flashes The Rabid Dog a smug smile as he disappears backstage. Yet still, Cage remains undeterred.
Tommy West: Ohhhh can you feel it Danno!? Tonight just got a whole lot more interesting!
Dan Simmons: That’s for sure! Nathan Cage talked about lighting a fire under the roster, I think BB Gunn has done just that!
MATCH TWO
The Crinkly Bottom Boys vs Tilted Cartridges
The match starts with Mr. Blobby and Wellington Dunne legal. Dunne is taller, but it’s hard to quantify Mr. Blobby’s mass, and he’s quite wide, so when Dunne attempts to get the upper hand on him, he’s surprised at how fierce Blobby’s resistance is. But in the slugfest that opens the match--as Blobby’s shape makes it difficult to lock up in the traditional sense--Dunne is able to push Blobby against the ropes. But Blobby’s peculiar shape comes in handy again as Dunne backs up to charge in with a spear or clothesline or something, but Blobby is further forward than he thought and catches him with a kick to the stomach. Blobby then hooks Dunne and slams him with a fall-forward suplex. Noel shouts to let him in, and Blobby tags him in, somehow looking confused. Noel rushes in and tries to kick Dunne while he’s down, but he’s not down as long as he thought, and when he tries to do a Sweet Shin Music, but to Dunne’s head when he’s standing up, Dunne looks up and catches the kick. Noel’s eyes go wide and he tries to get to Blobby, but Dunne drags him to their corner. He tags in Cheez, then holds Noel down so Cheez can hit him with something, and after a bit of apprehension, Cheez hits a body shot. He backs off as the ref ushers Dunne away, going for the Kamikaze Squirrel, but Noel, wide-eyed, dodges the Stinger Splash and runs full tilt to his corner, quickly tagging Blobby back in while catching his breath.
Cheez is more intimidated by Blobby, but Blobby yells his name cheerfully before offering a handshake. Cheez takes it hesitantly, then circles the ring as both Noel and Dunne look unimpressed, one that Blobby was sporting, the other that Cheez bought it. After a circle or two, Cheez launches a dropkick that hits Blobby square, but being the squishy Blob Man he is, he’s unphased, even by the second and third dropkicks. Cheez reaches for a snapmare but he can’t find the pivot point to bring Blobby over, and after a second, Blobby shoves Cheez forward far enough to really nail a treatise on the dangers of nuclear disarmament in the modern day political climate (aka clothesline from behind). Blobby jumps up in elation, then runs around the ring, trying to hit every square inch but not quite controlling properly. He drifts too close to the Tilted Cartridges corner and Dunne reaches over and clocks him in the head. Dunne gets into the ring, despite referee Jennifer Thibodeaux’s efforts to keep him at bay. While she’s distracted, Noel slips into the ring and passes the flailing Blobby a dib dab, and he scarfs it immediately.
Dunne doesn’t notice and picks him up, whipping him into his corner. Blobby lands hard in the corner, and then Dunne picks Cheez up and whips him into the corner to give him extra momentum to hit the Kamikaze Squirrel on Blobby! It lands hard and clean, but the dib dab has kicked in and Blobby just jumps out of the corner with a shout! Dunne looks furious and Cheez is worried, but there’s weird floppy clotheslines enough for both! It gets to a point where Blobby is doing the Flop, Wiggle, and Roll to both at the same time, jabbing one, then the other, and at the end of Blobby #3, he punches both and they both fall down as one! Thibodeaux tries to roll Dunne out of the ring, but he’s big so she has to just shove him a bit and give up so she can focus on the match as Blobby lifts Cheez into the air in an electric chair! Cheez shakes his head furiously as he tries to break free, but Blobby is too strong and brings him down in Blobby #1 (aka One Winged Angel), and Noel valiantly strides into the ring to keep Dunne off of Blobby as Jennifer counts to three, awarding the win to the Crinkly Bottom Boys! (Luckily Dunne was too stunned for Noel to have to fight him or things might have gone differently.)
[WINNER: Crinkly Bottom Boys via Blobby #1 at 8:12]
MATCH THREE
Sexton Love vs Adam Sanders
The bell rings and the match begins in surprisingly traditional fashion as Adam Sanders and Sexton Love lock up in the middle of the ring, a collar-and-elbow tie-up engaged. Unfortunately for the Awkward One, the prolific amount of baby oil that Bodzilla uses makes it hard for him to get a good enough grip, meaning that Love is able to take control of the match early on. Verbal abuse about how Sanders ‘isn’t a real man’ is heaped on as the larger competitor utilizes his strength to, well,manhandle his opponent, showing off in rather condescending fashion with flexes interspersed in-between elbow strikes that drives Adam back into the corner. Sanders doesn’t stay there for long since Love is quickly hurling him out of it with an overhead belly-to-belly suplex, the Body-to-Belly leaving the ring shaking with its impact! The self-proclaimed Triple X*Crown Champion goes for the pin, casually posing like it’s a done deal… and when Sanders kicks out shortly after one, it sets off a temper tantrum in Bodzilla that has him berating Jennifer Thibodeaux, who dishes the abuse right back out amidst the boos that Sexton’s antics earn. The jeers quickly turn into cheers, though, when the Awkward One snags Tyrannosaurus Sex in a schoolboy, Love just barely kicking out before the three!
If the Man of a Thousand Hoes was incensed before, he is now absolutely apoplectic as both men get back to their feet–and he’s taking it out on Sanders with a pimphand slap that has the crowd letting out an ‘Oooh!’ in response. The Awkward One turns his head with a look on his face that says’ Oh, this is how we’re gonna play it?’ before blasting Sexton with a forearm smash that rocks him! Sending Big Daddy Love into the ropes, Sanders takes him down with a stiff lariat–and when Love pops back up? Back down he goes with another stiff shot, then again. By now, Sexton is more than a little unsteady on his feet. Sensing blood in the water, the Awkward One doubles the Notorious B.O.D. over and lifts him up into a powerbomb. Sanders struggles for a moment, and Love tries to sandbag his way out, but Sanders backs into the ropes before using the momentum to hoist the larger man up before driving him into the mat with a powerbomb, Nerd Out connecting full-on! Going for the pin shortly after, Sexton kicks out at two and a half–and in distinct contrast to how his opponent responded when he failed to put Sanders away, Adam merely grimly nods to himself before keeping the offensive pressure on his opponent, hauling Sexton to his feet and sending him into the ropes anew… but his attempt fails thanks to Love’s hand slipping free of his own. Bodzilla falls and lands on his rear end hard, seemingly jolting himself back to his senses.
There’s a burst of chauvinist profanity as Love gets back to his feet, sending Sanders to the corner before following him and leaping into the air, smashing into him with the big splash he calls Love From Above. Sanders, clearly stunned, stumbles out of the corner and right into the waiting grip of Love, who hefts his foe up into a stalling vertical suplex, a few shaky squats done before he drives the Awkward One into the canvas and sticks the landing for the pin. Sanders kicks out at two, earning a fresh snarl of indignance from Sexton that he aims at Thibodeaux for not doing her job properly. (Of course, everyone knows Jenny is.) That jaw-jacking as Love hauls Sanders to his feet means that his attention is divided, something that Adam takes advantage of by breaking free of Sexton’s hold before he sends the larger man into the ropes. Sanders lashes out with his foot in an attempt to make Lightning Strike, but Love ducks beneath it, rebounding off the ropes. Whatever Bodzilla was planning will remain a mystery since Sanders is turning around in the nick of time to catch Sexton in the gut with a stiff kick! Hauling Love in close, Sanders hooks him up for a vertical suplex of his own–one that’s bound to end with a piledriver–but before Adam can set This Is Awkward in motion? Love is bringing his knee up right between Sanders’ proverbial goalposts, Jenny missing the illegal blow thanks to her position! Knowing he’s got to work fast, Sexton hefts Sanders up onto his shoulders before dropping him to the mat with an inverte TKO, Sexecution executed to perfection! The pin that follows is academic, the crowd jeering Sexton Love so loudly that his music can barely be heard as he celebrates his tainted victory, Sanders left lying on the mat.
[WINNER: Sexton Love Via The Sexecution at 10:27]
MATCH FOUR
NUMBER ONE CONTENDERSHIP FOR THE NLW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
Keahi Sparks vs Felix vs Bloodied Fox
After the match-up was announced as a contendership match, Felix came out with a little bit more pip in his step as Yakuza 0 plays him down to the ring. The normally stoic Felix looks more determined than usual with what’s on the line tonight. Also looking determined for the opportunity presented tonight, Keahi Sparks was out next with Lazerhawk’s “Overdrive” and a similar cheering response for both individuals so far. She rolls into the ring with her arms raised, hoping that hers is raised by the end of the contest. Lastly, the former XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion makes his way to the ring with slightly louder cheers than his two opponents. Bloodied Fox headbangs to the ring before the announcement by Marty Watts reminds everyone that the winner of the match will face Nathan Cage for the NLW Heavyweight Championship. Jenny Thibodeaux calls for the bell, and the match begins!
The three fan favorites circle the ring, eyes darting from one opponent to another. Felix makes the first move with a spin kick to Keahi Sparks but that left him open to a dropkick from Bloodied Fox. Bloodied Fox scrambles to his feet and delivers a perfectly-executed belly-to-belly suplex onto Keahi Sparks. Once Felix returns to his feet, Bloodied Fox delivers a Bloody Rain (Superman Palm Strike) to the Tactician. Fox hooks the leg to try to steal an early win but Thibodeaux only gets to two before Sparks breaks up the pin attempt.
Sparks is able to take advantage of that small opening after the pin attempt by Fox. She starts off the momentum change by hitting a few knife edge chops to the chest of Bloodied Fox. The chops leads Fox into one of the corners of the ring, with Sparks still delivering them even once Fox was cornered, until she is told to stop by Thibodeaux. Keahi Sparks obliges as she has another idea before putting Bloodied Fox on the top rope. Simmons and West remind everyone that Sparks actually outweighs the cruiserweight Fox as she climbs the top rope as well. She lifts Fox up, showing off impressive power by stalling a bit before dropping the former AWF Prestige Champion with a superplex into the center of the ring. Every single fan jumps to their feet upon the booming impact of the high impact move. Sparks rolls over and drapes her arm over Fox but Thibodeaux only gets to two before Felix drags Sparks off Fox, who immediately rolls out of the ring to rest. Just as Fox hits the floor outside the ring, the fans begin to notice that Nathan Cage was watching the match intently from the ramp. He says nothing. He doesn’t move. Nathan Cage simply watches.
As strong as Keahi proved she was, Felix was prepared to one-up her. He starts off with a snap suplex to Sparks. He follows that up with a backdrop suplex before trying to get a win with the Falcon Arrow. Sparks surprises Felix by kicking out after the three suplex variations, causing the Warrior to move to a more strike-based approach to the Emerald Blade. He begins with a few tiger palm strikes before delivering a knee strike to Sparks’s face. The stunned Sparks is sent into the ropes and is hit with the kitchen sink on the rebound. Sparks drops to her knees as Felix is now the one rebounding off the ropes and strikes with a penalty kick. Cover by Felix again but yet another two count after Sparks finds just enough fight to keep going. With everyone already on the mat, Felix immediately moves to Plan B, which is his signature Go Rin no Sho, translated to the Book of Five Rings (Gotch’s Crucifix). Keahi Sparks yelps from the pain the move is doing to her upper body and neck. But as Jennifer Thibodeaux keeps asking Sparks if she submits, the Emerald Blade keeps shaking her head and yelling no until finally, Bloodied Fox rolls back into the ring and delivers a stiff kick to the back of Felix’s head.
Bloodied Fox, knowing that Sparks has taken a beating since he rolled out of the ring, is quick on the offense with an Air Vulpine (Springboard Frog Splash) and a cover but now Felix is the one interrupting a possible victory. Felix starts the machine gun chops on Bloodied Fox before stepping too far back afterwards and underestimating just how much fight Fox had in him as he is twisted to the ground with a hurricanrana. Felix pops back up and is struck to the head with a question mark kick for his trouble. Fox drops down to his knees momentarily, knowing he has a second to breathe with both Felix and Sparks on the mat. He pulls himself back up and sees Felix doing the same, just a second behind him. As soon as Felix turns around, the smallest competitor in the match grabs the largest for the kill shot. As soon as Fox has him in position, he tosses him across the ring with the B4 (cutthroat exploder). As Felix is completely motionless, Bloodied Fox turns to make sure Keahi Sparks was still down before going for the pin. But she wasn’t… MEMORIES OF OKINAWA (KO punch)!! Keahi Sparks struck just as Bloodied Fox turned around. With both Fox and Felix down from finishing moves, Keahi Sparks gets the cover on Fox. Thibodeaux finally counts to three and after so many momentum changes between three clearly evenly matched foes, Keahi Sparks gets her arm raised. As Thibodeaux raises Sparks’s arm, Sparks watches her future opponent, Nathan Cage, nod his head and return backstage.
[WINNER: Keahi Sparks Via Memories of Okinawa at 14:10]
MAIN EVENT - MATCH FIVE
NLW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Academy (C) vs The New South vs The Straight Edge Society
As Marty Watts announces that the next match was tonight’s main event and for the NLW Tag Team Championship, every fan in the building begins to cheer. First out is the Straight Edge Society, Razor Blade and Latoya Hixx. The fans give some cheers in the direction of the underdogs in the match while Simmons reminds everyone that Razor Blade has won some surprising matches against competitors like Big Richard Energy and is completely capable of pulling off the upset. Next up is the other duo of challengers and one of the “original NLW teams” as Beau Traywick and Waylon Kirk come out to their aptly named theme “The New South” with their manager Jolene right behind them. As soon as the pair reach the ring and give the Straight Edge Society a stern look, the lights go out. You Me At Six starts playing as the NLW Tag Team Champions, Riley Richards and Leon Chant, the Academy make their entrance with the championship displayed proudly around their waists and no sign of Rob Arnold behind them, with West commenting that the team likely wanted to show that they can win whether or not they have Rob Arnold hanging around them. Both Chant and Richards raise their arms in opposite corners of the ring before handing their belts to Gabe Valentine. Valentine raises both belts in the air to remind everyone what is on the line before handing them to the timekeeper and calling for the bell.
Everyone immediately finds someone to pair off with. Waylon Kirk starts fighting Razor Blade. Latoya Hixx and Riley Richards tie up. And Leon Chant and Beau Traywick start exchanging blows. Dan Simmons tells the fans at home that, due to the nature of the match being a triple threat tag team match, there are no tags, no count outs, and no disqualifications. Clearly remembering this himself, Traywick delivers a quick low blow to drop Leon Chant to his knees. His partner doesn’t fair much better as Razor Blade executes a FLAWLESS double underhook backbreaker onto Waylon Kirk. Meanwhile, Riley Richards hits a snap suplex before hitting a springboard leg drop on Hixx. With that, each team had one competitor still on their feet. Razor Blade attempts to strike Riley then Beau before realizing that simply made the two of them want to pair up on him. Traywick and Richards send Blade to the ropes and hit a double clothesline on him on the rebound. Before Richards could even turn his attention to Traywick, he was already being slung around the ring with a trio of German suplexes. Beau Traywick gets the cover for the quick win but Leon Chant clearly doesn’t want to lose his tag titles so quickly or easily.
Chant, seeing Traywick as the man who not only hit a low blow on him but also as the man who attacked Richards from behind, starts seeing red. The big man unloads a FURY of strikes, the barrage of which sends Beau Traywick into one of the corners of the ring. Leon Chant takes a few steps back, shoves Waylon Kirk out of the way when Kirk got back to his feet and takes off towards Beau Traywick. All Traywick can do is brace himself as Leon leaps into his running big splash. Cover by Chant but a kick from Latoya Hixx stops Gabe Valentine from counting past two.
Razor Blade slides outside the ring and looks under the ring for something. As Simmons and West speculate what he’s up to, Hixx borrows her boyfriend’s springboard clothesline to get Leon Chant off his feet. Waylon Kirk sees Chant getting back up and leaps for a poisonrana onto the only two-time NLW Heavyweight Champion. Once Kirk returned to his feet, Latoya tries to steal the win with a roll up but Riley Richards is the one to break up the pin this time. Though Hixx only got the two, her partner reveals a table from under the ring and starts to set it up outside the ring, with the commentary team mentioning that Razor must feel like he was left out of the tables, ladders, and chairs match from Masquerade. Razor Blade gets back into the ring and starts hitting a few strikes on Waylon Kirk before trying to lift him up to toss him into the table, but Kirk slips free and lands behind him. Kirk hits a fallaway slam onto Blade as Riley Richards drops Latoya with a superkick. Kirk stops Riley from even getting a one count as he yanks the Bristol native off immediately.
Waylon Kirk lifts Riley to try to fallaway slam him over the ropes and into the table, but Leon Chant quickly catches his partner behind Waylon. While Kirk doesn’t see what happened, he can tell something went wrong and turns around. Chant sets Riley down fast enough to transition to clothesline Kirk. Beau Traywick gets back up before before tossed to the outside easily by Chant. While that’s going on Razor Blade goes for a clothesline on Riley Richards, who was quick enough to dodge the move. Blade, not to be outsped by the X*Crown Contender, hits a back kick to Richards’s midsection. Razor Blade sees an opportunity to put Richards through a table with a powerbomb, get him into position but at the last second, Riley Richards counters into a hurricanrana that sends Razor Blade through his own table. Waylon Kirk got back to his feet before getting hit with a neckbreaker from Riley Richards before Leon Chant bounces off the ropes with a jumping big splash. Latoya Hixx is the next competitor to her feet before Richards hits a European Uppercut that staggers her into a powerbomb from Leon Chant, otherwise known as the Final Lesson (European Powerbomb). Chant gets the cover and Riley Richards slows down Beau Traywick just enough for Gabe Valentine to count to three. After a chaotic match, Leon Chant and Riley Richards retain their championships and hold them high as Valentine raises their arms.
[WINNER and STILL NLW Tag Team Champions: The Academy Via the Final Lesson at 15:58]
Dan Simmons: And after all that and even a table getting involved, the tag team championship stays home with the Academy!
Tommy West: You can't say New South and Straight Edge Society didn't give it everything they got! Blade got a table involved and Beau took Leon Chant down in his little Chants.
Dan Simmons: Well, that wraps things up for us here in the Lakefront Arena for the thirty-first edition of NLW Ascendancy. Remember that next show will be headlined by Tommy Kelly defending his Southern States Championship against the End's Mehrunes Smith. So be sure to tune in in two weeks! But for now, my name is Dan Simmons, and for my partner Tommy West, we wish you all a good night and a happy belated Mardi Gras!
