NLW Ascendancy XXXVII | Saturday, June 11th, 2022 | LIVE
May 31, 2022 18:56:52 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Dave D-Flipz, and 3 more like this
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Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDENCY XXXVII
LIVE from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
June 11th, 2022
‘Obey’ blares over the sound system of the Lakeland Arena and the fans hit their feet to cheer at another episode of Ascendancy beginning. As multi-colored lights swirl over the gathered masses, signs for various members of NLW’s roster can be picked out from the crowd. One more sweep over the arena’s interior and the camera cuts to the announce team.
Dan Simmons: Good evening, everyone, and welcome to episode thirty-seven of Ascendancy! I’m Dan Simmons, and joining me as always is Tommy West–and I don’t know about you, but I’m looking forward to another night of action!
Tommy West: Yesterday, New Orleans Saints and Pelicans owner Gayle Benson held a conference for all sorts of business and sporting companies with a focus on hosting special events. BB Gunn attended and said he feels like NLW is becoming just as important to the culture of this city as those franchises and believes that working with the city to make NLW shows as special as he can. And how is he going to do that?
Dan Simmons: With our second annual G1 tournament. Competitors from ALL over the XHF Network will be competing in this tournament for the next couple of months to try to name a number one contender to newly crowned NLW Heavyweight Champion Seth Dillinger. We have a lot of intense matches for that tournament. Do you have any of the eight that has a special interest with you?
Tommy West: Spike Kane taking on Tap Out Wrestling's Danni Anderson is the first one that came to mind until I realized we had the Junior Heavyweight rematch between MYOJIN and Bloodied Fox!
Dan Simmons: Speaking of the Junior Heavyweight Championship, tonight's show will be main evented by that very title being on the line as Nelly Angel takes on Cheez. Plus we have Chris Marks versus Willie Steen and Razor Blade versus Sapphire. But let's get ready for our first match!
MATCH ONE
Chris Marks vs Willie Steen
The first match is underway as the fans loudly boo the debuting Chris Marks as he grapples the Hollywood Dream and sends him into the ropes. Simmons points out that Marks hasn’t exactly endeared himself to the New Orleans fans with how he has spoken about the city and some of the favorites of the NLW crowd with West pointing out his controversial first appearance. Upon the rebound Marks drives his knee into Steen with a kitchen sink. He drives him to the mat with a DDT before hooking the leg, Jenny Thibodeaux on the count and only a two.
Marks yanks Steen up before getting struck with an uppercut. Staggering the larger Marks gives Steen an opening to hit a standing dropkick on Marks. Steen bounces off the ropes and hits a running bulldog on Marks the moment he tries to get back to his feet before trying a cover of his own but getting the same result, only a two count.
Steen quickly gets back to work with a rolling single leg boston crab, trying to disrupt the base of the powerful Chris Marks. Marks is able to yank himself to the ropes, prompting Thibodeaux to order the submission hold to be discontinued. Steen kicks the same leg a few times as Marks tries to get back up… but Marks hits a wild haymaker that takes Steen off his feet. Steen scrambles back to his feet only to be tossed across the ring with a belly to belly suplex.
Marks places Steen in a corner before hitting him with very calculated strikes until he is told to stop after his tenth one. He scoffs before stepping away from Steen… then charges at him into a shoulder tackle that prompts some loud boos from the fans. Marks yells a few f-bombs at the fans before turning his attention back to the cornered Willie Steen. He places him on the top rope, presumably for a superplex before Steen starts to fight back with a few strikes on Marks. Eventually he is able to hit Marks hard enough to make him fall back off the top rope and right onto the mat. Steen knows he has to move quick and leaps for a 450 splash… and connects!! Cover by Willie Steen… but only a two count.
Willie Steen arm drags Marks into the center of the ring. Once Marks gets back to his feet, Steen drops him with a superkick. Steen gets another cover and yet another two count. It looks like Steen is measuring up Chris Marks as he gets up, trying to figure out if his next move is possible on the two hundred eighty-five pound Chris Marks… but he’s going to try it anyway. He grabs Chris Marks behind the waist before hitting a german suplex on Marks… and keeping the waistlock intact. The duo starts to get back up, and Steen lifts up Chris Marks for the second of the German suplexes. The suplexes are clearly wearing out Willie Steen due to Marks’s size but he was committed and fights to keep it going for his third one with the crowd throwing all their support behind him. And sure enough, as soon as both men are at a vertical once more, Willie Steen lifts and releases for his third German Suplex. Steen pumps his fist in the air before covering Chris Marks once more… but still only a two count for the Hollywood Dream. The fans boo as Thibodeaux emphasizes that the count was only two.
Willie Steen pulls Marks up for a DDT but Marks is able to sneak in a low blow that Thibodeaux wouldn’t have been able to see from her angle. To keep up with appearances, Marks uses his positioning to hit a double leg slam. Marks has clearly lost his patience with the match and heads to the nearest corner and starts to undo the turnbuckle padding with Jenny Thibodeaux ordering him to stop. Marks ignores her before tossing the turnbuckle padding aside. Thibodeaux keeps admonishing Marks before he starts to lift Steen in the air, reading to drop him head first into the exposed turnbuckle… but Steen slips out and lands behind him! Steen with the school boy with everyone begging this to be the end… but Marks still kicks out at two.
The first thing Jenny Thibodeaux does as soon as the pin attempt ends is attempting to place the turnbuckle padding back on. Both men get to their feet before Chris Marks hits yet another low blow on Steen with Thibodeaux’s back turned. Marks reaches into his tights and places a pair of brass knuckles on his fist and lays out the Hollywood Dream with the illegal weapon. As soon as Jenny turns around, Marks positions a cover to make it look like he hit a small package on Steen. Jenny counts one and as soon as he thinks he can get away with it, Marks wraps his free arm on the bottom rope for leverage. Two and then three. Marks lets go as soon as he is able to and raises his arms in the air to a chorus of boos.
[WINNER: Chris Marks Via Brass knuckle Strike at 08:40]
Dan Simmons: What an awful way for us to start the show... Chris Marks winning by obviously cheating.
Tommy West: He took the padding off the turnbuckle to make Jenny Thibodeaux turn her back to the match for a brief second. It was a brilliant strategy. Uh oh... I don't think Marks is done.
Chris Marks looks down at the still down Willie Steen and yells about the silver spoon in his mouth before pulling him up again. He places Steen between his legs... obviously about to hit his signature power bomb on the Hollywood Dream.
Tommy West: I think he's trying to send a message to all of those from privilege.
Dan Simmons: The match is over! Come on, Marks! Don't do this!
As soon Marks lifts Steen onto his shoulders for the X Marks the Spot, another person slides into the ring to the sound of cheers. After a quick kick, Steen is released behind Marks and quickly rolls out of the ring. Marks looks up at the person who interfered in executing his finisher...
Dan Simmons: IT'S RAZOR BLADE!! RAZOR BLADE IS HERE!!
Tommy West: He certainly saved Steen from an assault there!
Chris Marks swings a wild lariat but Razor ducks it. As soon as Marks turns around puts him into a fireman's carry and into the Razor GTS! The fans cheer as Chris Marks has been laid out in the center of the ring!
Dan Simmons: Razor Blade has come out and taken out Chris Marks before Marks could do more damage to Willie Steen!
Tommy West: Razor Blade will be taking on Sapphire up next!
MATCH TWO
Sapphire vs Razor Blade
Razor Blade gets some cheers from the crowd after what he did to Chris Marks a few minutes ago, and Dan Simmons clearly shows his appreciation in his commentary. But it was Sapphire that got the early start in the match after an impressive hip toss. She follows it up with a back body drop and then mounts Razor Blade for a few elbow strikes until Valentine orders her to stop. One chest kick later and Sapphire hooks the leg for a two count.
Sapphire goes for an overhead belly to belly suplex, but Razor Blade headbutts her off. He uses a short-range lariat to knock Sapphire off her feet and onto the mat. He drops an elbow before hooking the leg and only getting a two count himself. He lifts her onto his shoulders for a fireman’s carry to try to hit his finisher, but Sapphire slips behind him and drops him with a second back body drop. She lifts Blade up and slams his spine into her right knee with a devastating backbreaker. Sapphire attempt to pin Razor to get a quick end to this match, but Razor Blade once more is able to get the shoulder up. The commentary team starts to discuss if Razor Blade may have been too worried about Chris Marks and didn’t focus on his actual match against Sapphire tonight.
Sapphire sends Razor Blade into the ropes and slams him hard with a spinebuster that shakes the ring, showing that she is possibly one of the most physically powerful women in all of wrestling. She tries to seal the victory once more but Razor still kicks out in time to keep the match going. Razor fights to get back to his feet with a few punches before ducking a lariat and delivering a backstabber to Sapphire. He drops to a knee after feeling a bit overwhelmed by Sapphire early in this match before delivering a bulldog on Sapphire. This time he is the one getting the cover but still no dice as Sapphire kicks out after Valentine’s second count.
Razor Blade keeps the offense going after underhooking Sapphire and driving her into his knee with a backbreaker. He climbs the top rope and begins to wait for Sapphire to get back to her feet. The moment she turns to face Razor Blade, he leaps off the top rope with a diving crossbody. Blade remains in position for a cover but once more, only a two count from Gabe Valentine. Blade delivers a few stomps before covering again, but they do not change the result with Sapphire being a bit more forceful with the succeeding pinfall that the previous.
Sapphire irish whips Razor Blade into the nearest corner before charging with a running knee strike. She follows it up with a few corner thrusts until Valentine counts to ten for them to stop. One snapmare later, Sapphire locks in a sleeper hold on Razor Blade. He flails for a few seconds before finding the ropes to force a release of the hold. As soon as Blade gets back up, Sapphire swings for her spinning backfist… BUT RAZOR DUCKS!! The momentum of the missed strike allows Razor to place Sapphire on his shoulders for the Razor GTS (Go To Sleep) but something stops him from executing the move…
Every fan in the arena begins to boo as Chris Marks appears on the apron of the ring, causing Sapphire to have enough time to slip out of the fireman’s carry and landing yet another back body drop on Razor Blade. Chris Marks remains on the apron, making sure Razor Blade can hear all the mocking he is doing. Gabe Valentine turns to Chris Marks and orders him back to the backstage area before even Sapphire, who was just spared from a finisher by his appearance, starts to yell at Chris Marks to get the hell out of the ringside area. After blowing a kiss and throwing a few middle fingers, Chris Marks begins to walk up the ramp as Sapphire is schoolboyed by Razor Blade but only a two count once more. The match resumes as planned but it possibly could have ended had it not been for the visit from Marks. Razor gets back to his feet, still clearly frustrated that a possible win was taken from him, he picks up Sapphire again, but she was ready for the firemans carry this time and slips behind him and locks in her finishing submission, the Corunundrum (body scissors full nelson). Razor Blade flails around, trying to reach for the ropes. He can’t reach and he can’t power out the move. He tries to fight it, pick the lock of the move… but nothing doing. After the pain becomes too much, Razor Blade has no choice in the matter, submitting to the submission after all other options were exhausted. The bell sounds while Chris Marks smirks from the curtains.
[WINNER: Sapphire Via Corunundrum at 10:07]
MATCH THREE
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Cheez vs Bugz?
Cheez isn't often the sturdier of the two in a match, which makes the initial staredown with Bugz? somewhat comical. But things swiftly change from comical to violent as Bugz? starts unloading with wild punches. Cheez covers up and eventually gets Bugz? over for an arm drag, but the difference in styles is stark and continues for the rest of the match. Cheez gets Bugz? with a couple more arm drags and a neckbreaker, getting a short two count, but after kicking out, Bugz? immediately pulls Cheez by the hair to bite at his face, necessitating immediate intervention from referee Gabe Valentine. He gives Bugz? a harsh warning he's sure he'll ignore as Cheez flees to the corner to recover, a cut opening on his face. Bugz? responds by charging into the corner, but Cheez dodges the avalanche splash that results in Bugz? hitting the top buckle chest first. Cheez then pulls a move he might have picked up watching tapes for his other match, a Dragon Suplex! He doesn't bridge, but scrambles for a cover, only getting two. He keeps his face away from Bugz?, but Bugz? doesn't let him get distance, chasing him down, eventually nailing a clothesline that sends both men over the top rope to the floor.
On the outside, Bugz? is in heaven. Cheez tries to get Bugz? back in the ring, but every time he tries, he gets slammed into the apron or smashed head first into a ring post or bent back first over the barricade. Gabe counts to eight before Bugz? slips into, then back out of the ring, making him start again as he drags Cheez to his feet. He tries to hit a Russian Leg Sweep into the pointy side of the steps, but Cheez fights out and hits an Atomic Drop before getting Bugz? back in, but he still only gets a two count. Cheez wipes at his face to see the bleeding stopped already, then moves in to finish things off, but Bugz? dodges the Shining Wizard, and Cheez rolls into the ropes to stop Bugz? from coming after his face again. As soon as he's untangled from the ropes, Bugz? goes for the Left Turn at Albuquerque, but Cheez dodges that. He goes for Cheez Wiz again, desperately trying to end things quickly, but Bugz? scrambles out of the way. Gabe tries to check on Cheez's face, but that gives Bugz? the opening to hit the Carrot Crusher. Cheez's eyes bug out at the low blow, but before Gabe can catch on, Bugz? finally lands his Legdrop Bulldog and pins Cheez for a three count.
[WINNER: Bugz? Via Left Turn at Albuquerque at 07:25]
The camera finds Felix in his meditation room, where he seems to be spending more time since Maxwell left, his face downturned as he stares at the little Buddha statue.
Felix: So much has happened. So much pain and disappointment, so much loss and heartache. Most would have given up long ago.
He reaches down and picks up the Buddha, turning it over in his hands.
Felix: They would say fate or karma was against them. They would point fingers and blame everything but themselves. Their will would be shattered by excuses and trauma…
Felix looks up into the camera, his eyes full of a sad resolve that slowly burned brighter as he spoke.
Felix: Luckily, I am not most people. I will not give up, I will not fall by the wayside. I promise each and every one of my fans that I will keep fighting till the day my body refuses to move again. I will grow stronger, I will endure. On my honor, it will be so.
Felix looks back down at the Buddha, as if looking for some comfort or meaning from it before sighing and setting it down. The camera fades as Felix leaves, his footsteps heavy with the events of the past, but strong with perseverance in the face of the future.
MATCH FOUR
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Daisuke Miyazaki vs Casimir the Clown
When Casimir the Clown comes down to the ring instead of Pate the Mime, Daisuke Miyazaki appears to be taken off-guard a bit. It seems that the shooting in the promotional video released leading up to this match was genuine, and we here in NLW wish Pate a speedy recovery. That aside, the bell rings and the two men collide in the middle of the ring with a collar-and-elbow tie-up that Casimir eventually gets control of, transitioning into a headlock that he wrenches on. Daisuke is quick to shove the clown into the ropes, but Casimir hooks his arms over the top rope and stops himself instead of giving Daisuke the chance to do whatever it was he was planning. Casimir wags his finger at Miyazaki, who ignores the taunt and gestures for the clown to come engage with him again. Casimir comes forward, looking like he's going to lock up again, but Daisuke shoots in and throws Casimir overhead in a belly-to-belly suplex instead! Laughing maniacally, the clown pops right back up and demands another one, earning a quirked brow from one half of the Ronin--but who is he to deny such a request? Another belly-to-belly suplex and the clown is laughing all the more, a reaction that irks Miyazaki to the point that when Casimir bounds over for another? The clown finds himself eating a Saito Suplex, the Saitama Spin connecting with bone-rattling force! Daisuke goes for the pinfall attempt, but Casimir kicks out at two, the mirth on the latter's face turning dark.
Daisuke picks Casimir up and the clown starts lighting him up with headbutts to the face. This staggers Daisuke, allowing the clown to unload with chops and slaps along with the headbutts. Eventually Daisuke gets angry enough to charge, but Casimir lifts him for a Flapjack, then turns to drop him throat-first on the top rope! The crowd jeers as Daisuke rebounds onto his back, holding his throat while Casimir laughs at how Plot Armor hit just right, but the sound this time is a darkly hateful thing that only grows more menacing as he advances upon his fallen foe. The clown pulls a mime glove from a pocket, putting it on and flexing his fingers threateningly as his grin grows all the wider--and the New Narrative is cinched in when Casimir shoves those fingers into the mouth of the still-recovering Daisuke, the mandible claw digging in deep! Daisuke flails a bit, but quells his panic with a careful breath before he's shifting his weight and increasing the angle at which Casimir can dig into the mandible claw, which seems counter-intuitive until he rolls up the larger man in a small package! By the time Casimir registers what is going on, it's too late. The referee has counted to three and Daisuke Miyazaki has emerged victorious!
[WINNER: Daisuke Miyazaki Via Small Package at 08:07]
The camera cuts to the office of BB Gunn. Sitting behind the desk, NLW's General Manager looks like he's in better shape than when we saw him last. Offering up a smile, Gunn waves a bit to the camera.
BB Gunn: Good evening, everyone! I hope you all have been enjoying the show so far. It looks like we've got some interesting developments already tonight!
Gunn nods to affirm that point before he continues.
BB Gunn: With that being said, the words of Grimgor Ironhide got me thinking... if he's willing to defend the Southern States Championship every round, then why shouldn't Sexton Love do the same with the No Limits Championship? It seems to me that a man that is the epitome of manliness--at least, his definition of it--shouldn't shy away from such a thing. And everyone knows that Scott Hampton has been hungry for a one-on-one opportunity like this, so you know what?
NLW's GM smiles a bit wider, though there's a sardonic edge to it.
BB Gunn: Here you go, Scott. Consider it a show of no hard feelings. after all of those false accusations you pointed my way in the past.
And with that, the camera cuts to the ring for that very match.
MATCH FIVE
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
NLW NO LIMITS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Sexton Love© vs Scott Hampton
With the announcement of his championship being on the line, Sexton Love is indignant when the bell rings with that indignance quickly turning into aggression. The initial offensive flurry Love fires off catches Hampton by surprise and drives Scott into the corner, but the smaller man is quick to regain his bearings and fight back with body blows. Such provokes Bodzilla into hurling the Invincible out of the corner with a German Suplex, the body-to-belly released to send Hampton flying across the ring to land hard! The crowd jeers as Sexton mouths off to the crowd, cockily approaching Scott--but months of facing an honorable opponent in Felix, Love doesn't expect the thumb Hampton jams into his eye! Seeing the No Limits Champion get some of his own back earns some cheers, cheers that NLW's (self-proclaimed) Best Kept Secret takes immediate and explosive offense to. Screaming at the crowd to shove their cheers up their ass, Hampton bolts to the ropes, springboarding back and catching Love with the Peace Walker springboard cutter! In spite of Scott's abusive words, the crowd still counts along with the count of the pinfall, letting out boos when Love kicks out at two.
Scott makes more demands of the crowd to stop cheering for him, face growing red with anger as he hauls Sexton to his feet--but Love's just as quick to go for the underhanded advantage as Hampton is, a blow connecting dangerously close to the family jewels of his opponent. With Scott doubled over, it's easy for Sexton to drop his foe down with a neckbreaker, the Rude Awakening leading to Love locking in his take on the Last Chancery! The Love Lock has Hampton desperately trying to free himself, the crowd cheering him. Such proves to be helpful in an ironic sort of way since Scott's indignation at being supported after such a long time of being shunned drives him to bite Love's hands, the hold releasing and the fan support finally cooling off. Love screams at Gabe Valentine to disqualify his opponent, but Gabe reminds Sexton of the rules while Hampton smirks, seeing his chance to end it. Rushing up behind Sexton while his back is to him, Scott hammer blows the back of Love's head, stunning him enough to cinch him up in the straitjacket hammerlock before Bodzilla goes up and over in a German suplex that Hampton sticks the landing on... but Love lands badly, right on the top of his head! No mercy is shown by Scott as he holds the bridge from Dark Sanctuary, demanding that Valentine count the pin. The three count is academic, Hampton getting to his feet and demanding to be given his belt. Gabe obliges as the trainers check on the downed Sexton, eventually getting trainers and a stretcher to ringside. Love is carted out of the arena on a stretcher, coming to just enough to flip the bird at the jeering crowd while Hampton celebrates his first title win in NLW.
[WINNER and NEW NLW No Limits Champion: Scott Hampton Via Dark Sanctuary at 08:03]
MATCH SIX
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
The Thespian vs The Great Buta
The Great Buta's sparkshow with his chainsaw pre-match earns no reaction from the Thespian, though it's highly probable such is simply a matter of his mask concealing such a thing. When the bell rings, the Cannibal Hog charges across the ring--but the Thespian steps to one side, allowing the larger man's momentum to add some oomph to the bicycle kick that connects. Buta shakes it off, though, and levels Theo with a clothesline that damn near turns the actor inside out. Landing hard, the battered state of the Thespian means he's slower to get up than normal... giving the Great Buta ample time to get into position for the pig-masked man to gather up the bandaged-up man in a reverse headlock, Theo finding himself in the Pit of Despair! Buta clubs anywhere he can reach on the actor as he shoves the Thespian's face into his armpit, the Thespian flailing in an attempt to get loose. In Theo's flailing, he manages to grab the rope, Gabe Valentine forcing Big Bacon to release the Thespian. Judging by how the Thespian's torso is convulsing, he's trying not to throw up since the bad smell has soaked into the bandages covering his face so he can't get rid of it.
The moment Valentine moves out of the way, Buta takes Theo down with a clubbing blow to the back of the neck before the big man backs up against the ropes. The Thespian has just enough time to roll over onto his back before Buta comes crashing down with a leg drop after getting a running start, Ham Hock connecting! Buta remains in position to get a pinfall attempt in, Theo kicking out at two and three-quarters. The Thespian is dragged to his feet by Buta and hurled none-too-gracefully into a nearby corner. When The Great Buta charges, however, Theo darts out of the way at the last second, leaving Buta to collide with the turnbuckles! As Buta stumbles backward, the Thespian drives a kick into the back of Buta's left knee, Break A Leg dropping the massive man to one knee and setting him up perfectly for the standing somersault cutter that follows as Buta is forced to Take A Bow! Rather than going for the pinfall attempt, The Thespian bides his time, waiting for the Great Buta to sit up before Theo rushes forward with a bomeye-style knee, the Perfect Tragedy connecting right between the eyes of that pig mask! The Cannibal Hog collapses to the mat and, with great effort thanks to the energy he just exerted in his injured state, the Thespian moves into pinfall position and hooks both legs... and when Gabe counts to three? The crowd cheers as Theo rolls onto his back, sides heaving after pulling off a very difficult task in getting the win.
[WINNER: The Thespian Via Perfect Tragedy at 06:21]
“Excuse me?”
We open in the back where the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion, Nelly Angel, is pacing around. He’s already geared up and ready for his match, the title affixed around his waist.
Nelly Angel: That was the first thought that crossed my mind when I was watching Cheez’s- whatever he wants to call them.
He runs a hand through his hair, looking frustrated.
Nelly Angel: Lemme tell you something, Cheez. When a champion comes into your company and offers you a hand of respect. When he gives you the benefit of the doubt that maybe you didn’t just luck your way into your match, maybe you are actually as talented as your contendership suggest- you take that respect.
The champion considers his words, and throws his hands up defensively.
Nelly Angel: Now I get it, I get that this G1 tournament is important to you, of course it is, why wouldn’t it be, right? But they say that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. And yet here you are with the mindset of “I gotta win the G1- also I guess I have this title match or something.”
Angel shakes his head incredulously.
Nelly Angel: You have a GOLDEN- literally- opportunity and you’re treating this like some sort of secondary nonsense? Excuse me? This title shot could have gone to Bloodied Fox, or somebody else. Somebody who actually WANTS it. Brad Kane would kill for a shot at this title! Do you think Myojin would turn down another shot at it? I’m sure he was upset when Caffrey stole it for himself! But oh-
He’s in full sarcasm mode.
Nelly Angel: No, Lord High King Cheez who has finally gotten a couple wins here and there can’t be bothered to concentrate on MAIN EVENT OF HIS OWN FRIGGIN SHOW! Nope, and that’s not even the worst of it. Cheez I told you that you had my full attention, and if you looked at other wrestling shows instead of wasting your time doing whatever else is more important I guess you’d know that I’ve been putting my HEART and SOUL into every defense of this-
Quickly, Nelly whips the title off and holds it up to the camera and points at it.
Nelly Angel: The XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship- one of the oldest and most decorated titles in the entire Network. And Me-
His thumbs turn to himself.
Nelly Angel: The guy who beat not one but TWO former X*Crown champions, Rumble winners no less. The guy who’s putting as much respect on the title that he started his career with as he can- what did you say about me? I don’t have any heart? Excuse me? You might wanna check yourself there kid because I’m not the one hand-waving off turning points in their career. I’m not the one who is just looking at wins and losses. I’m not the one who weighs which competitors are actual challenges or not. I’m not the one who seems to be inept enough to not actually pay attention to what their opponent has to say before the match or where they’ve been on the way there.
He points to his eyes.
Nelly Angel: I TOLD YOU THAT YOU HAD MY FULL ATTENTION CHEEZ! YOU THINK I WOULDN'T SEE WHAT YOU SAID FOR YOUR G1 MATCH AND MINE!?
Taking a moment to cool down, Nelly puts the title back around his waist and affixes it behind his back. Then he points at the camera.
Nelly Angel: No no man, I wanted to have a nice fun competitive match with you and let you show your talent to the wider world. I wanted us to have a good respectful time. But you are already getting a big head after just a few wins so you can’t even manage to get yourself focused for an important match like this. So you know what Cheez? Tonight you’re getting the Caffrey treatment. I came here in good faith but now I’m coming to make a statement and make an example. I’m going to do my best to ruin your night and leave you looking up at the lights when it’s all done with nothing to show for it.
He pats the title aggressively.
Nelly Angel: Cheez, you don’t deserve this championship and because of you better people didn’t get their chance at it. I’m really disappointed in you, Cheez. You could have been a representative of the future of this great sport, but it turns out that you’ve still got a lot to learn. See you soon.
The champion waves the camera off as it fades to a commercial for the XHF Network.
MATCH SEVEN
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Beau Traywick vs Trixie Mars
Beau Traywick is arrogant as can be when the bell rings, his confidence in being able to take Trixie Mars to school evident. For her part, Trixie looks ready to go–something that Beau mocks her for, telling her she’s out of her depth. When that earns a quip in response from the spitfire rookie, Beau slaps her across the face! The crowd jeers as Jolene nods her approval outside of the ring–but that approval quickly turns to horror when Trixie fires off with a slap of her own that’s got a good amount of pepper behind it! That moment of shock on Traywick’s part means that Trixie’s able to take him to the mat with a running headscissors before she pops right back up and hits a standing moonsault! Mars goes for the pinfall attempt, but Beau kicks out right after two. Smirking, Trixie holds her thumb and forefinger about half an inch away from each other right in Beau’s face. Whether she’s saying she was this close to having him beaten or that’s how, ah, small Traywick is… it’s anyone’s guess. Whatever it is, that plus the egg on Beau’s face for getting caught unawares is more than enough to flip a switch in the former member of the New South. Mars is quick to get to her feet, but Traywick is right there with her, barreling into her with a running knee strike that sends her staggering back against the ropes. Beau follows Trixie and reverses a Sliced Bread attempt into a Triple German Suplex that he bridges at the end for a long two count.
Jolene is rooting Beau on, but she’s alone in doing so, the fans raining boos down upon him as he hauls Trixie to her feet by her hair. That undignified grip is used to send Mars into the ropes, Traywick ducking under her attempt to clothesline him before he runs the ropes himself. The two collide in the middle of the ring with Beau getting the advantage with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors that takes Trixie to the mat hard! Traywick goes for another pinfall attempt, but Trixie kicks out shortly before the three, the crowd cheering her resilience. Mars gets a similar reaction when she survives another pinfall attempt after Traywick nails her with a shotgun dropkick, Jolene losing her religion outside of the ring as Beau berates Trixie, telling her that she’s gonna lose anyway–why prolong her suffering? He’s standing over her and reaches down to grab an arm, but before he can step over into Bourbon Sunrise, Trixie grabs his arm and hooks her leg around it. Wide-eyed, Beau reaches his other arm down to pry her off, but that sets her up for her Shotgun Armbar. Mars tucks Traywick’ wrist against her body, her foot into his waist, and Trixie uses the full strength of her leg to bend Beau’s arm the way it should not bend as she locks in the Needle. To the surprise of many, Beau most of all, he is forced to tap out after trying to fight his way free and failing!
[WINNER: Trixie Mars Via The Needle at 08:57]
MATCH EIGHT
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
Danni Anderson vs Spike Kane
It’s a strange choice to bring a pre-teen to the ring for a match against Spike Kane, but it starts out well for Danni Anderson. Spike gets a few stiff strikes that rock Danni, but for the most part, the first part of the match is a sequence of Danni ducking blows and peppering Spike with quick kicks while being chased, culminating in a double jump springboard hurricanrana that pops the crowd (and makes Tommy miserable on commentary as Danni’s daughter yells loudest of all). But she lets the momentum get to her when she goes for the Crack Shoot! and Spike catches her foot mid front flip, twisting it around into an ankle lock. Danni quickly starts scrambling before she can be overcome by Burning Hell. Spike is clearly stronger, but Danni is able to curl herself under Spike and roll him up for a two count. She’s a little more cautious after that, trying to stay out of Spike’s clutches. Danni is sent reeling by European Uppercuts, but she’s able to dodge his more devastating attacks. As she dodges around the ring, continuing to catch him with quick kicks of her own. But Danni slips up as she tries to go in with her own European Uppercut. She hits it, but that puts her close enough that Spike can grab her, whipping her around to fold her in half with a German Suplex.
Spike doesn’t bother bridging, instead smirking first at her, then her daughter, who is much less happy on commentary as Spike sets to work stomping her knee. He then drops down and methodically works the leg over, with elbow drops to the inside of the knee, a kneebar that Danni has to really struggle to get to the ropes to escape, and then just savagely spiking the knee into the canvas. Spike then picks up her ankle and puts her back into Burning Hell, and Danni screams as the pain in her knee radiates to the rest of her body. But she doesn’t give up, fighting to pull herself to the ropes. She manages to twist herself over onto her back and roll Spike up as he tries to reapply the pressure, but only gets a long two count. She fights back the best she can, but she can’t move as fast, and as she tries to get Spike with a Superman Punch, he dodges the Power Dunk, then whips around to hit Bloody Sunday. The spinning back kick flattens Danni, at which point Spike picks her up and plants her with the Spike Impaler such that he can stare directly at Leina as Jenny Thibodeaux counts the post-Jackhammer three count.
[WINNER: Spike Kane Via Spike Impaler at 08:25]
Next Level Wrestling Presents
COLLISION COURSE 2022
LIVE from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, August 20th, 2022
COLLISION COURSE 2022
LIVE from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, August 20th, 2022
MATCH NINE
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
NLW SOUTHERN STATES TITLE MATCH
Grimgor Ironhide© vs Tuna Meltzer
Tuna Meltzer looks smug before the bell rings-but once it does and Grimgor Ironside lets out a roar? The Five Star Man's facade of smugness shatters before he dives out of the ring to avoid the Southern States Champion. What Grimgor screams in response is... well, it's probably insulting judging by the tone. Da Alpha Orc gives chase, but Meltzer is far faster, able to dart into the ring and set himself so that when Ironhide re-enters the ring, he's able to rain down blows to keep the champion on the mat. The crowd jeers Tuna as he straightens up, tapping the side of his head as he brags about his intelligence... but he turns his back on Grimgor in the process. When Meltzer turns around, though, Ironhide is back to his feet with a very unimpressed look on his face. Tuna gets out a single syllable of protest before Grimgor's got him by the throat, a chokeslam nailed that shakes the ring! Ironhide is quick to yoink Meltzer back up, drilling him to the mat with a second chokeslam before the champion goes for the first pinfall attempt of the match, the Five Star Man kicking out at around two and three quarters. While the crowd is not pleased by the match continuing simply because they want to see the critic lose, Ironhide's grin makes it clear that he's happy the fun's not over just yet.
Hauling Meltzer to a vertical base, Tuna sways and wavers much to Grimgor's delight. A nudge here, a paintbrush slap across the face there... and still Tuna wobbles. Ironhide smirks as he backs toward the opposing corner before letting rip with a roar and charging across the ring for a spear attempt--but at the last possible moment? The Five Star Man is suddenly snapping to and dodging out of the way, leaving Ironhide to slam into the ringpost between the turnbuckles! Slumping back against the ropes, Tuna laughs in disbelief at how his ploy worked as referee Jennifer Thibodeaux checks on Grimgor. All but shoving Jenny aside, Meltzer drags Ironhide to where he can roll the much larger man over and go for a casual and confident pinfall attempt... but Grimgor kicks out at two and a half! Disbelief is writ large across Tuna's face, but he goes for another attempt... and it's kicked out of at two again! Face red with rage, Meltzer goes for a third pinfall attempt, stacking Grimgor up and using the ropes for leverage--but Jenny catches on and stops the count right before three! Meltzer is apoplectic with rage at being caught, surging to his feet to argue with the official. Tuna is so into the argument, in fact, that he doesn't realize that Grimgor has recovered until Ironhide spins the smaller man around and nails him with a heart punch, DA FIST OF GORK connecting soundly! Meltzer collapses to the mat in a heap and Ironhide goes for the pin, getting the three-count and successfully getting not only two points, but defending his Southern States Championship as well!
[WINNER and STILL NLW Southern States Champion: Grimgor Ironhide Via DA FIST OF GORK at 09:00]
Cheez is backstage waiting to make his his way the ring for the second time, in a single night. He's tired, beat-up and sore. But his spirits are still high. Just as he's about to nod to the sound guy to play his music, he feel a small tap on his shoulder. He turns around to see Wellington Dunne as a a man you he doesn't quite recognize.
Wellington Dunne: Here, whether you walk away with the title or not. I'm proud of you and...
Dunne hand over a white box.
Wellington Dunne: I want you to have this.
Cheez takes the box out of curiosity and opens it, pulling out a black t-shirt, He doesn't show the front it, and looks almost shocked at it.
Cheez: But I thought that...
Wellington Dunne: It is, well the group is, but not the brotherhood created by it, and you've earned you spot in that brotherhood.
Cheez holds back tears and sets the shirt on a chair just before the entryway, as he steps through the door of his locker room the camera catches a glimpse of the shirt on it's front in white lettering are two words very familiar to Dunne's past, but completely new to Cheez. THE SAGA. The camera cuts to ringside.
MATCH TEN
G1 TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH
MYOJIN vs Bloodied Fox
The air is electric as MYOJIN and Bloodied Fox regard one another from their respective corners, the history between the two competitors looming large over everyone in attendance. When Gabe Valentine waves for the bell and it rings, Fox advances with a hand outreached for a handshake... and while it seems that MYOJIN isn't going for it? The Shining Star eventually obliges, the crowd cheering the brief show of sportsmanship before things properly get underway, and they get underway with a bang. MYOJIN lashes out with a Shotei that Fox ducks under, a kick aimed at the ribs of the Shining Star in response--but MYOJIN evades it! The Shining Star uses the momentum to try a discus elbow, but Fox blocks it, pushing back and launches a spinning back kick, but MYOJIN ducks the attempt at MDK. MYOJIN tries to catch Fox on the back foot with a Question Mark kick, but Fox has the same idea and their shins crack against each other, causing the two to stumble back a bit. They both set themselves, but as they pause for a breath and to regroup, the crowd comes close to blowing the roof off with cheers. There's a bit of banter between the two men that rides the line of respect, disrespect, and competition before the action resumes--and this time? Fox is the one to take control, connecting with a roundhouse head kick that knocks MYOJIN for a loop before he catches them in a Fox Trap! Scar Vulp sticks the landing of the Snap Dragon Suplex, the Shining Star kicking out at two.
Bloodied Fox tries to lock in the Lament Configuration, but the moment MYOJIN feels him lace their arm, they flip out of position, rolling to their feet in time to hit a Basement Superkick that snaps Fox's head back as he's trying to get up. Scar Vulp is stalled in a kneeling position long enough for MYOJIN to connect with a Rolling Savate Kick! Kiss and Tell drops Fox back to the mat, the Shining Star quickly moving into position for a pinfall attempt--but MYOJIN is leaning back too far, and at two? Scar Vulp reverses the pinfall into a Crucifix! MYOJIN kicks out just shy of three to keep the match going, and it's clear they know how close they were to losing. They flip onto their stomach, and Fox is on his, and the crowd starts cheering again as the two stare each other down. The pair never lose eye contact as they slowly push to vertical positions. Fox strikes first with a Question Mark Kick that hits this time, then he backs into the ropes to launch a Superman Palm Strike. MYOJIN feels Bloody Rain fall, rolls onto their stomach to avoid a pin, then flips out of a second attempt at Lament Configuration. Fox jumps to his feet, trying to beat MYOJIN there to hit something, probably the MDK kick, but MYOJIN stays low and wraps themselves around Fox's legs, pulling him down with the dreaded Imanari Roll! Fox struggles for a bit, but he knows well how deadly Orion is, so he taps out before he can damage his knee, prompting a roar of the crowd, then vocal appreciation of both competitors and the clinic they just put on.
[WINNER: MYOJIN Via Orion at 10:33]
The camera cuts to the space set up for G1 coverage. It looks much the same as the space that was set up at Hostile Intent did with one key difference; the stool is gone. BB Gunn now stands next to the monitor set-up with a grin on his face.
BB Gunn: Wow, ladies and gentlemen--wasn't MYOJIN versus Bloodied Fox absolutely amazing?!
Faintly, the crowd can be heard cheering in agreement with NLW's GM. Gunn nods.
BB Gunn: All of the G1 matches were amazing, I'm sure you'll agree--but the time has come to look at where things stand after the first round of round robin action. Let's start with Group A!
A snap of the fingers and the monitor comes to life with the updated graphics for Group A.
BB Gunn: Danni Anderson fought her heart out, but Spike Kane is a man known for ripping hearts out of chests--I've heard rumors he did so in Hell, actually! It's still early on, though, so Danni has plenty of time to turn things around. As for the Thespian, I was unsure if he would be able to get the job done against the largest member of the Midnight Animals, but Theo got the job done in a hard-fought bout against the Great Buta!
Another snap of the fingers and the graphic shifts to that of Group B.
BB Gunn: I was stunned when Grimgor Ironhide announced that he would be defending the NLW Southern States Championship against all of the other members of Group B, but he succeeded this round against a very game Tuna Meltzer! However, with a returning MYOJIN coming out with a very close win over Bloodied Fox, I fear that journey's only going to get harder for Ironhide since Fox will want to regain his momentum and MYOJIN will not settle for less than the perfection that evaded him last year.
The graphic transitions to show Group C after a third snap of Gunn's fingers.
BB Gunn: Trixie Mars did the Academy proud tonight while Beau Traywick... well, let's just say that I don't know if turning his back on Waylon Kirk was such a good idea. Trixie's got to tread carefully in the coming weeks, though, especially against the other competitor who picked up a win tonight. It's entirely possible that Cheez was simply distracted, considering the big match he's still got tonight... but Bugz? is, by far, the most unconventional man in this entire thing. Will that continue to pay off?
Another snap brings us to the graphic for Group D's current scores.
BB Gunn: Group D is the group of change, it seems. It wasn't until Casimir the Clown showed up tonight instead of Pate the Mime that I even knew, for sure, that a switch-out was happening. Daisuke Miyazaki's experience served him well since he was able to come out on top without proper preparation. As for Scott Hampton's NLW No Limits Championship win... well, we all saw how Sexton Love landed. I've been informed by the trainers that they had to send him on to the hospital for further evaluation. We will keep you fans at home posted on Bodzilla's condition.
The monitor turns off with a final snap of Gunn's fingers.
BB Gunn: On the next episode of Ascendancy, the second round of round robin will take place and the picture of who will make it to the semi-finals will become clearer. Right now, it's still anyone's ball game.
Gunn nods.
BB Gunn: And now, ladies and gentlemen, it's time for our main event where Nelly Angel will be defending the XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship against NLW's own Cheez. While I am a professional first and foremost, well... I'm sure you all know who I'm rooting for. Let's get to the action!
The video feed cuts to ringside.
MAIN EVENT - MATCH ELEVEN
XHF JUNIOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Nelly Angel© vs Cheez
Dan Simmons: We've had a lot of intense matches tonight, as you'd expect from G1 season, but now it's time for a different sort of intensity.
Tommy West: Cheez lost earlier tonight to the former Southern States champion, but maybe he can bring the Junior Heavyweight Championship back home instead.
Dan Simmons: The NLW Medical Team has done their best to make sure Cheez is patched up, but this is going to be an uphill battle for sure.
Tommy West: But it was also an uphill battle for him to win the Super Scramble, so if anybody in NLW can do it, it might just be Cheez.
"Richard Allen George...No, It's Just Cheez" by Less Than Jake plays over the speakers and Cheez comes out onto the stage. He looks a little nervous, but also a little aggravated. He has to stop himself from messing with the bandage on his forehead where Bugz? bit him earlier in the night. But as soon as he resists that urge, he's headed down to the ring with a firmness of step that is not typical for him.
Dan Simmons: I'm not sure whether it's his talk with Wellington or the way his first match of the night went, but Cheez looks especially focused for this match.
Tommy West: It's a big opportunity. If he thinks he's got exposure as a Twitcher or whatever, think about how his followers will explode if he's touring the whole XHF Network as Junior Heavyweight Champion!
The guitar riffs starting out "La Di Da" by Jet ring out as out from the back walks Nelly Angel with the XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship around his waist. The defiant tone of the song is reflected in his face as he looks down to the ring and the audience, some of whom are holding "#NellyisaHeel" signs. Once he's done scanning the arena he shakes his head, chuckles and smiles to himself. The 20 year ring veteran makes his walk down to the ring, climbs the stairs, and from the ring apron climbs onto the turnbuckle and holds the belt up before jumping off the corner into the ring, ready to start things off.
Dan Simmons: It was a bit of a joke when Nelly won the title itself, but he's since proven himself a resilient competitor, putting together quite an impressive reign so far.
Tommy West: I mean, it's impressive that he pinned the...I assume late Anthony Caffrey? Did we ever get confirmation on that? But it doesn't matter, because the afact he wrestled that dick man and didn't catch a SINGLE STI is probably a Hall of Fame worthy accomplishment on its own.
NLW's senior official Gabe Valentine takes a second to check on Cheez, having officiated the match early in the night. After Cheez assures him he's able to compete, he steps back for the match introductions.
Marty Watts: The following contest is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the XHF Junior Heavyweight Championship! Introducing first, the challenger, from Madison, Wisconsin, weighing in at 173 pounds, Cheez!
The NLW faithful cheer Cheez a little more than they usually do, but Cheez is just staring at Nelly with an intense gaze.
Marty Watts: His opponent, from San Francisco, California, weighing in at 180 pounds, he is the current XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion...Nelly Angel!
Nelly smiles and raises the championship belt over his head to cheers. After the pop fades, he hands the title off to Gabe, who folds it neatly and holds it up over his head, turning to each side of the arena to display the belt, as is tradition. After he's done the full round, he hands the title off to the timekeeper as Marty ducks out of the ring.
Dan Simmons: Don't sleep on this match, folks. These two may not look like the poster children of professional wrestling, but they have both overcome incredible challenges to get to this place. This is going to be a barnburner.
Tommy West: You can't say that, Dan. It's still too soon.
Dan rolls his eyes as Gabe Valentine brings the two men together. When he's satisfied they both know what's at stake, he steps back and calls for the bell.
DING DING DING
Nelly is taller, but Cheez is a little more stout, so it's not a done deal when the two of them lock up in the center of the ring. Cheez looks like he's going to push Nelly back, but then Nelly pulls Cheez into a side headlock. Cheez is quick to back him into the ropes for momentum to shoot him into the ropes, and when Nelly runs at him, Cheez pulls him over in a fluid armdrag! The crowd pops as Nelly rolls up to his feet, only to get pulled in for a second armdrag, earning a second pop, but the third attempt sees Nelly pull Cheez over in an armdrag of his own! Cheez proceeds to roll into a second arm drag, and the fans cheer again, but less. Nelly then pulls Cheez over in a third armdrag, sticking this one to sit Cheez up and wrench on the arm.
Dan Simmons: A classic start, and Nelly has Cheez in a seated arm wrench.
Tommy West: Nelly's got a good game plan here. He's had a bit to rest, but the longer this match goes, the more this match is Nelly's to lose.
Cheez is quick to twist himself in an angle where he can start standing up. Nelly shifts his grip before he's fully upright, launching Cheez into the ropes. He sets himself for a Back Body Drop, but Cheez flips over him in a Sunset Flip! The crowd cheers as Gabe rushes over for the surprise pin attempt.
One...
Two--kickout! Nelly's eyes widen a little as Cheez rolls backward, getting to his feet. It was a short two-count, but still enough to rattle the champ a little.
Dan Simmons: Cheez sticking with the game plan from his first match, going for the win early with a Morph Ball Bomb.
Tommy West: Nelly says he's fully focused on Cheez, but he still seems surprised he went there that early. A couple more slip ups like that and we'll have the title back, Simmo.
Nelly nods a bit to himself as he stands up, clapping his hands to try and get the fans behind him. Some start clapping, but some also start chanting for Cheez. The two men both start clapping, then circle each other around the ring. They come forward for another collar-and-elbow tie-up, and Nelly pulls Cheez into a headlock again, but this time Cheez was ready and pulls himself free and gets Nelly in a hammerlock! The crowd pops as Nelly starts looking for a way out of this. He twists himself around and is about to get Cheez into a hammerlock, but Cheez's hands shoot up to grab Nelly and whip him over his shoulder in a snapmare! Nelly rolls to his feet, but Cheez keeps after him with a dropkick that knocks him down. Cheez sets himself as Nelly is getting up and rushes in, trying to nail a Shining Wizard, but Nelly knows that move well and ducks the knee, and as Cheez tries to push himself up, Nelly folds Cheez into a Crucifix Pin!
One...
Two...
Kickout! Cheez rolls his body to get his stomach to the mat. He tries to power up, but Nelly shifts position and gets his challenger into a Camel Clutch.
Dan Simmons: Cheez has clearly done his homework for Nelly, doing some top tier chain wrestling, but I don't like his odds now that he's in that brutal submission hold.
Tommy West: Nelly's not the largest man, even among Juniors, but Cheez's back took some damage when Bugz? was throwing him around the outside, so this has got to be Hellish.
Cheez is trying not to cry out, but the pain is clear on his face. He tries to reach for the ropes, but the position he's in restricts his arms' range of movement. He has to really struggle to get his arms free, but he eventually gets his arms free and Nelly sinks down to pull his neck back. Cheez has all his limbs free now though, and he starts pushing himself toward the ropes. He's in the Camel Clutch for about fifteen or twenty seconds before he gets to the ropes and wraps his hand around the bottom one, prompting Gabe Valentine to pull Nelly off. Nelly relents as soon as he realizes the hold is broken, putting his hands up and backing off to let Gabe check on Cheez again.
Dan Simmons: Cheez showing his grit in getting out of the hold, but he's really favoring his back now.
Tommy West: I think I also see a little bit of red in the bandage. The blood must have really got pumping if it went hard enough to seep through that cut.
Cheez doesn't notice that, as he's pulling himself up with the help of the ropes. Nelly beckons him forward, and Cheez answers the call, but when he goes for another Morph Bomb, Nelly catches him and slams him back down on his back with a spinebuster! Cheez cries out, favoring the back of his head, but Nelly is already at work, crossing Cheez's legs in a Figure Four before Jackknifing over into a bridging pin attempt!
One...
Two....
Th--kickout! Nelly immediately tries to get Cheez back in a submission hold, but Cheez scrambles to avoid it, and in a mess of limbs, pulls Nelly over into a small package!
One...
Two...
Thr--kickout! Nelly rolls out of the cradle surprised again, but looking less shocked than earlier. Now he just nods as he gets the measure of his challenger.
Dan Simmons: Cheez is really getting worked over here, but he just about snuck the title out from under Nelly there!
Tommy West: Nelly said he was fully focused, but maybe he's underestimating Cheez in spite of himself. He wouldn't be the first.
Nelly seems determined to break Cheez's spirit after that second try at surprising him, but as he charges in, Cheez charges as well, catching his head and spinning him around, dropping the champ with a neckbreaker! He immediately goes for the cover after Doing a Barrel Roll!
One...
Two...
Kickout! Nelly seems a bit frustrated, but Cheez stays on him, chasing him into the corner. Nelly tries to put some boots to Cheez, but Cheez gets around one and blasts Nelly in the face with an elbow smash. He grabs Nelly by the arm and whips him across the ring to the opposite corner. He then charges after Nelly, but as he flies toward him, Nelly ducks out of the way, leaving Cheez to hit the top buckle chest first! He gasps as the air leaves his lungs, but before he can recover, Nelly slips behind him and pulls him over his head with a Dragon Suplex! Gabe rushes in as Nelly bridges for the pin.
One...
Two...
Thr--kickout! Cheez slips out just in time, and the crowd cheers!
Dan Simmons: In a reflection of a spot from Cheez's G1 match, he misses the Kamikaze Squirrel, only to eat a Dragon Suplex from Nelly.
Tommy West: Given he was on the other side earlier, you'd think he'd have seen this coming. The pain or the pressure must be getting to him.
Nelly takes a breath as Cheez lies on the canvas, recentering himself. He starts to lift Cheez up, but when Cheez starts trying to get separation with some punches to the stomach, Nelly latches on and drops Cheez on his forehead with a DDT. He rolls Cheez over for a cover.
One...
Two...
Cheez kicks out at two, but the red blotch behind the bandage is bigger and brighter even five seconds later as Nelly rolls off of the challenger. Seeing Cheez looking at the lights with a vacant expression, Nelly backs up into a corner, tapping his knee and signaling for the Shining Wizard of his own. The fans' murmurs start to rise to a crescendo as Cheez pushes himself up, a single drop of blood dripping through the gauze as Nelly charges in, but Cheez also knows a Shining Wizard when he sees it coming and rolls out of the way as Nelly leaps, Nelly quickly scrambles up to recover, but as he turns to find Cheez, Cheez finds him with a spear reminiscent of his tag partner! The crescendo peaks as Cheez scrambles to cover Nelly.
One...
Two...
Thre--the crowd pops, then groans in sympathy as Nelly gets his shoulder up at the last possible moment.
Dan Simmons: Nelly went for his own Shining Wizard, but ate a move he might not expect from Cheez, as it's from Dunne's playbook!
Tommy West: Cheez isn't normally up against guys where he can lift or spear them, so he has to take the opportunities as they come. But he's gotta' figure out how to put Nelly away fast, because that DDT seems to have aggravated that bite Bugz? gave him.
Cheez touches his forehead and sees the blood come away on his fingers. He looks down at a motionless Nelly, thinks about Cheez Wiz again, but feels he's at a stalemate there. Time to pull out something else from the playbook. Cheez slips out onto the apron and starts climbing the top rope, keeping his eyes on Nelly as he goes. It takes him a few seconds to get settled on the top rope, but Nelly still hasn't moved, so he takes a deep breath, then flies through the air, arms outstretched! But the crowd can only yell oohs and ows, as Nelly flips over at the last second, leaving the Chedda Heada to hit only canvas.
Dan Simmons: Nelly either feeling doom coming or playing possum perfectly there. I thought Cheez had him.
Tommy West: Come on, kid, you're still in this!
Nelly is getting up and sees Cheez stirring, more blood dripping from his forehead as he struggles. Nelly takes a couple breaths to steady himself, then charges in. Cheez tries to shift stances to miss a Shining Wizard, but Nelly brings Cheez to the knee, cracking him with a Codebreaker! Nelly is quick to turn Cheez over and hook the leg and the half-nelson.
One...
Two...
Three! The bell rings as "La Di Da" starts playing on the speaker system.
[WINNER: Nelly Angel via BREAKING NEWS! at 17:12]
Marty Watts: Here is your winner and STILL the XHF Junior Heavyweight Champion....Nelly Angel!
Dan Simmons: Cheez gave it all he had, Tommy, and he's got nothing to be ashamed of. But Nelly is a strong challenge to overcome.
Tommy West: I don't know if things would be different if he hadn't had to deal with Bugz? earlier tonight. Maybe if he'd fought someone who hadn't tried to bite his face off, that would be the difference. But the reality we're in is one where Nelly had more in the tank, and he is still champion.
Gabe Valentine has retrieved the championship and presents it to Nelly, who slips it onto his shoulder immediately. But as Gabe raises his hand, he sees Cheez leaning against the bottom rope, head in his hands as someone tries to tend to the cut. Nelly shakes off Gabe and stands over Cheez, who just glares up at him, obviously salty over the result. Nelly says something the mics can't pick up, but offers a hand to help Cheez up. The crowd cheers this display of sportsmanship.
Dan Simmons: Nelly had some strong words for Cheez, but he also identified with him. Win or lose, I think there's respect to be had here, if Cheez wants to have it.
Tommy West: Don't trust him, Cheez, he just wants your X-Station to replace the one Randy smashed!
Dan Simmons: I think you mean--you know what, not worth it, I'll tell you later.
Cheez glares up at Nelly for a few seconds before his expression softens and he reaches out for Nelly's hand. The crowd roars as Nelly pulls Cheez up to his feet, then keeps him steady as he staggers a bit. He keeps hold of Cheez's hand and shakes it, and after a few seconds, Cheez smiles weakly and shakes as well, prompting another cheer.
Dan Simmons: It seems rare these days, but we're going to end our show on a genuine show of respect, Tommy.
Tommy West: I don't know how much I trust it, but if it's real, it'll make a good counterweight to the inevitable shower of assclownery we're going to be subjected to when Call to Arms airs.
Dan Simmons: Speaking of which, that's tomorrow night. Be sure to tune in as a lot of NLW's top talent--
Tommy West: And Tuna Meltzer.
Dan Simmons: --fight in a spooky castle to be the last team standing, getting a fast track to the X*Crown contendership matches at Overheated.
Tommy West: He's Dan Simmons and I'm Tommy West, and we're out of time. Goodnight!
The last image on screen is of Nelly holding Cheez's hand in the air.
