NLW Ascendancy XL | Saturday, August 13th, 2022 | LIVE
Jul 31, 2022 17:45:20 GMT -5
Mongo the Destroyer, Kira Izumi, and 2 more like this
Post by Kris on Jul 31, 2022 17:45:20 GMT -5
Next Level Wrestling Presents
ASCENDENCY XL
LIVE from the Lakefront Arena in New Orleans, Louisiana
August 13th, 2022
‘Obey’ blares over the sound system as the video fades in on this XL edition of Ascendancy. Multi-colored lights swirl over the assembled fans as they cheer for the action they are about to see. The camera pans over the interior of the Lakewood Arena from a couple different angles before it cuts to the announce position.
Dan Simmons: Good evening, everyone… and welcome to Ascendancy XL! I’m Dan Simmons, and with me as always is Tommy West–and Tommy, tonight we learn what the main event of Collision Course will be!
Tommy West: Indeed we will, Simmo! Trixie Mars will square off with Scott Hampton, with the winner of that match going on to face the victor of MYOJIN versus the Thespian! No matter who makes it to the final, the bouts to determine who will get there are bound to be incredible!
Dan Simmons: That’s a great word for tonight in general, Tommy. Not only will we get to see the ultraviolent mayhem that will be Spike Kane taking on Grimgor Ironhide, but we will also have the Crinkly Bottom Boys taking on Midnight Animals in what is bound to be a confrontation that will bend the limits of wrestling in a wholly unique way!
Tommy West: Of course, there’s also the incredible reign of the Academy as the NLW Tag Team Champions being at risk as they take on the Ronin! There’s a lot of history in this match between Leon Chant and Takuma Okazaki, and I fully expect that to boil over in tonight’s main event!
Dan Simmons: Before all of that, though, CURE-E’s going to get the chance to get some justice for Chris Marks sticking his nose in where it doesn’t belong! Will we see more clues as to the identity of this masked man?
Tommy West: There’s only one way to find out. Take it away, Marty!
MATCH ONE
CURE-E vs Chris Marks
To kick things off, Chris Marks saunters to the ring with the boos for the Filth were louder than his theme music. And while still a relative unknown in the NLW world, CURE-E got some loud cheers due to what the new signing did in his debut match: win and dispose of the trash. Jenny Thibodeaux calls for the bell to start the match and start the match did CURE-E. A few arm drag takedowns seem to take that first burst of energy out of Chris Marks. The Oakland native pops back up after not having as much pip in his step only to be slammed to the mat with a powerslam from CURE-E… which impressed the fans considering the weight difference between the competitors. Cover by CURE-E gets a two count.
CURE-E keeps control of the match with a hurricanrana and then a backbreaker. Marks finally turns the tables when he holds onto the ropes after an irish whip and CURE-E’s ensuing charge leads to him to the outside floor after Marks yanks the top rope down. Instead of pursuing the mysterious competitor, Marks simply catches his breath in the ring. By the time CURE-E returned to the ring after the count of five by Thibodeaux, Marks was ready for him with a clothesline. Marks gets a cover and only a one count. A few angry stomps later, Marks tries again. Still only one. Marks frustratedly goes for the X Marks the Spot (sitdown powerbomb) but CURE-E counters it into another hurricanrana, getting a two count once more when he hooks the legs after the move’s execution.
Knowing the angle he had on junior official Jenny Thibodeaux, Chris Marks struck a low blow on CURE-E to set up an innocent-looking DDT into the mat. But it wasn’t the DDT that kept CURE-E down. Marks takes a few moments to taunt all the fans in the arena who had been booing him all match to let them know just what he thought about all of them before trying to set up the X Marks the Spot once more. But before he could lift CURE-E… Cult of Personality starts playing on the PA system. The fans cheer as the video screen on the ramp starts showing the video for Razor Blade as Chris Marks now diverts his attention to the ramp. But Blade is nowhere to be found. Marks starts yelling a bunch of insults and cursings towards the Straight Edge Society member before turning back around to return his attention to CURE-E, who was ready for him with a Pittsburgh Plunge (Side Effect). Every fan is on their feet as CURE-E makes it perfectly clear he is going to rid the fans of having to deal with Marks. He locks in the Collateral Damage (crossface) and Marks wastes no time submitting to the move, giving CURE-E a relatively easy win for the evening.
[WINNER: CURE-E Via Collateral Damage at 05:10]
A grainy title card pops up on screen:
AFTER BASELESS ALLEGATIONS OF PLAGIARISM, THE FOLLOWING PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE MIDNIGHT ANIMALS
We see “Foggy” Lee Gorn sitting on a couch with a man in a white suit and owl mask beside him. The man in the owl mask is holding a handwritten sign reading “FOGGY DOESN’T UNDERSTAND FAIR USE” in surprisingly fancy lettering.. Gorn leans toward the camera before pressing a button on his tape recorder.
::click:: “Y’ALL CAN’T COPYRIGHT NO BEAT!”
After a brief cut to black, the image is replaced by a professionally-crafted end card reading:
NEXT LEVEL WRESTLING WOULD LIKE TO REMIND YOU THAT THE MIDNIGHT ANIMALS ARE NOT LAWYERS AND NOTHING ON OUR PROGRAMMING CONSTITUTES LEGAL ADVICE
MATCH TWO
The Crinkly Bottom Boys vs The Midnight Animals (Bugz? and Lee Gorn)
After the entrances and as the teams started sizing each other up, it looked like Blobby was genuinely excited to face someone that’s bigger than him. Buta seems eager to face off against him as well, and Noel doesn’t seem keen to stop Blobby this time. So after the bell rings, official Jennifer Thibodeaux gets the hell out of the two hosses’ way as they collide in a flurry of strikes that hit hard enough and loud enough that Noel cringes with each one on the apron. Foggy just relishes in it. After about thirty seconds of this, Buta seems to be getting the upper hand and tries to lock Blobby in the Pit of Despair, but Blobby’s dome-shaped head allows him to slip free. He stumbles toward his corner on literal rubber legs, but Noel shys away from tagging himself in. Blobby does a Blobby flop in the corner, and Noel hops down to slip him a Sherbert Dib Dab, but before Blobby can scarf it, Buta is dragging Blobby away from the corner. Blobby screams and pounds at the mat, but he can get no purchase as Buta tags Foggy in, then holds Blobby by the ankles as Foggy climbs up and does a somersault leg drop, landing roughly where Blobby’s neck probably is. Having proven he is only Mostly Flightless, Gorn goes for the cover, but Blobby gets a shoulder up, much to Noel’s relief.
Foggy goes right into a mount and tries to batter Blobby’s head, but Blobby’s roundness means he’s hard to pin down, both with punches and literally, so Blobby is able to shove Foggy off. Foggy dives for Blobby to keep him from tagging out, hitting an elbow drop, then popping up to do a leg drop in quick succession. He tries to drag Blobby away from Noel, who only reaches for him once he’s too far away. It’s slow going, and Blobby rolls over onto his back to kick at Foggy, but this just lets Buta tag back in, and Foggy runs to batter Noel with a forearm to keep him from tagging Blobby. Noel yelps in pain and crumples as Buta lands a big running leg drop on the back of Blobby’s head. Jenny has to fight Foggy to get him out of the ring, but once he is, she sees Buta pinning Blobby, but Blobby is twice the blob as Andre the Giant and kicks out at two. Buta stands up and looks at Jenny, who does her best to talk him down, but while Buta is distracted, Noel peeks up above the apron with visible effort and hucks a dib dab at Blobby, who inhales it before Buta notices. Foggy tries to get Buta’s attention, but it’s too late, and when Buta faces Blobby, he is starting to Blob Up.
Another flurry of strikes ensues, but Blobby is the one to take control this time, pushing Buta into a neutral corner. Buta roars and grabs Blobby, shifting so he’s the one against the buckles, but when he backs up to try and smush Blobby against the corner, Blobby ducks out of the way, leaving Buta to crash into the corner hard enough to shake the ring. Blobby wastes no time, running to the opposite corner and then starting a running handspring toward Buta, landing a back elbow that sandwiches Buta against the buckles, shaking the ring a second time. Buta starts staggering forward, and Blobby starts visibly vibrating with excitement, realizing he can do a move he doesn’t get to very often. He runs the ropes behind Buta, then ducks under Buta’s infamous Pit of Despair, flipping back over the large pig man to plant him with Blobby #2! Foggy is immediately heading toward breaking up the pin, but that sly old Noel Edmonds grabs one foot. He’s holding on for dear life as Blobby lays on top of Buta, and despite the strange image of a round man...? on top of the round pig man, it’s definitely a pin, and Blobby gets a three count out of his variant of Destino! Immediately after the bell, Foggy breaks free and goes for his bat to try to murder Noel, but Noel scampers into the ring and behind Blobby, and by the time Foggy has his bat, it doesn’t seem worth it, and he starts yanking on Buta to get him out of the ring to head to the back.
[WINNERS: The Crinkly Bottom Boys via Blobby #2 at 9:12]
The cameras cut backstage to a very pissed off Chris Marks, who is flipping every single table he can find backstage.
Chris Marks: That slimeball motherfucker!! I could have WON that match had he not played his little music. Jackass…
Dan Simmons: I don’t know if I agree with that. CURE-E had control of the match for a majority of the bout.
Tommy West: Let him think what he wants to think.
He flips yet another table before another person walks in and doesn’t appear to be too pleased with what is going on.
BB Gunn: Marks, what is going on in here?
Chris Marks: Great, you’re here. Wonderful. You find out what the hell happened with that bullshit during my match? And if so, what are you going to do about it? You either got someone backstage pulling some sort of tricks that’s affecting YOUR product on television or a COWARD on your roster.
BB Gunn: I won’t have you intimidating non-wrestlers backstage with your table flipping… I don’t care what bad habits Mongo the Destroyer has tried to make acceptable on the internet.
Chris Marks: Fuck Mongo…
BB Gunn: Also, you’re not authorized to say that. But regardless, I am going to need you to behave or leave and pay a fine.
Chris Marks: I’ll do it but under one condition. Give me the bastard in the ring. I think we made this perfectly clear that this was the road we are going down. Collision Course. Chris Marks. Razor Blade. Let’s fucking end this damn thing already.
BB Gunn: As it so happens… Razor Blade has requested this match as well. So I can grant you that request. You two will face off in two weeks at Collision Course.
Chris Marks: Perfect. I’ll wipe that shiteating grin off that motherfucker’s face once and for all.
BB Gunn: Now if you flip one more table, I’ll take that match off the show quicker than Spike Kane mentioning he’s the Blood God in a video package.
Dan Simmons: Wow, we got ourselves a match in two weeks. And these two can finally settle their differences!!
Tommy West: Marks v Blade. Let’s go!!
MATCH THREE
Grimgor Ironhide vs Spike Kane
Gabe Valentine tries to keep Spike Kane and Grimgor Ironhide separated long enough to start the match.
He’s unsuccessful, and the bell rings a couple seconds after the two begin to trade blows in the middle of the ring. Spike eventually gets the advantage with some well-aimed strikes as he begins to corner Grimgor. The raining barrage of blows continue in the corner as Gabe gets to a full five-count before actively separating Spike from his opponent. Spike relents for a second… before sliding into a final superkick for good measure in the corner! Grimgor stumbles out of the corner, but does not fall. Spike seems to commend the orc with an agreeable nod before pulling him in and up for a stalling suplex. Spike walks Grimgor to the middle of the ring before dropping him hard onto his back! Spike rolls into the pin but only gets a one as Grimgor stays conscious, to which Spike responds by rolling him over and tying him up for Burning Hell! Spike immediately wrenches the ankle lock, but Grimgor quickly drags both men to the ropes! Spike releases the hold on four, but makes sure to get one final twist in on it.
Spike gives Grimgor space to get back up at Gabe's behest, but immediately moves back in the moment Grimgor is, to which Grimgor responds with a stiff kick to the gut in return with the injured ankle! Grimgor screams through his pain as he hooks Spike up for a stalling suplex of his own! However, instead of following through with it, Grimgor decides to THROW Spike from the suplex into the corner and begins to give Spike DA GIT STOMPIN'! He continues to scream down at his flipped opponent as he rains the stomps down at Spike's head and chest. Once again, Gabe gets to five and begins to actively pry Grimgor off of his opponent. Grimgor gives a final stomp, preceded by a slight jump, before backing off entirely. Spike slowly reorients himself and uses the ropes to pull himself up-- DA BIG BOOT BY GRIMGOR! Spike's sent tumbling out straight to the floor from the kick! Gabe tries to admonish Grimgor, who screams right back into his face before rolling outside. Spike struggles to regain his bearings after the abuse as he stumbles around the metal barricades. As he does, Grimgor begins to measure him up before sprinting forward. Those sitting in the front row immediately get out of the way as Grimgor sprints in for the spear and EATS METAL! Spike dodges at the last second and shoves Grimgor straight into the barricade! Gabe is around four in his counts as Spike wastes little time getting Da Alpha Orc back into the ring.
Grimgor rolls back into the ring, but immediately pushes himself up to a standing position before Spike can slide back in himself... however, he stumbles, dazed. This gives Spike the safety to get back into the ring without retaliation, but the moment he moves in to grab Grimgor, he gets snatched up by the throat and slammed hard in the middle of the ring! Grimgor pins Spike through the chokeslam, but only gets a two. Practically snarling through the pain and frustration, Grimgor drags Spike back up to his feet by his throat and goes for another chokeslam... only to take a stiff kick to the stomach-- THUNDERSTRUCK! Spike catches Grimgor with a sudden stunner as the orc stumbles back into the ropes-- SPEAR BY GRIMGOR! Grimgor retaliates immediately with the momentum from the ropes! He tries to go for a pin- SMALL PACKAGE BY SPIKE! ONE! TWO! THRE-- NO!! Grimgor busts out of it at the very last second as both wrestlers split apart to separate corners to stand back up once more. The crowd is roaring between the two giants as they both take a reprieve from the violent back and forth. After a moment, the two begin to circle the ring one more time... but Grimgor rushes in! Spike catches him with a boot to the stomach and lifts him up with a yell, looking for the Spike Impaler... but Grimgor struggles out of it and reverses it! A matching yell from Grimgor as he looks to hit Da Alpha Slam... but Spike struggles out of it! The two both stand in the middle of the ring... struggling to get the other up for the respective Jackhammer... Grimgor releases the hold- DA FIST OF GORK CONNECTS FLUSH INTO THE CHEST OF SPIKE! ... but what is a heart attack to a dead man? Spike glares Grimgor dead in the eyes as he does not fall. DOUBLE TAP FIST OF GORK! This time, Spike falls straight to the mat as Grimgor goes for the pin! ONE! TWO!! THREE!!!
[WINNER: Grimgor Ironhide by DA FIST OF GORK at 8:29]
Next Level Wrestling Presents
COLLISION COURSE 2022
LIVE from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana
Saturday, August 27th, 2022
MATCH FOUR
G1 SEMI-FINALS MATCH
NON-TITLE
Scott Hampton© vs Trixie Mars
In spite of how Scott Hampton claimed otherwise in his promotional video against his opponent, it’s obvious that Trixie Mars is indeed the underdog going into this semi-finals bout on many fronts–size, strength, experience, and so on. The reigning NLW No Limits Champion and the upstart rookie who has defied expectation lock up in an elbow-and-collar tie-up in the middle of the ring once things get underway. Hampton leans forward, expecting to use a couple of those aforementioned advantages–but instead of fighting it? Mars goes with it, shifting position to catch Hampton in a roll-up that he kicks out of at two and three quarters! Almost getting caught by such a sly tactic turns arrogance to anger for the Kingpin of NLW. As soon as Scott is free of the pinning predicament, he surges forward with a hard elbow strike that blasts Trixie, both competitors falling to the mat since neither of them had truly gotten back to their feet. A couple more of those stiff strikes are rained down upon Mars before Hampton gets to his feet to a chorus of boos, boos he encourages with a bit of arrogant, dismissive waving off. Scott’s attention is not actually diverted, however, since the moment Trixie is beginning to rise to her feet, Hampton damn near decapitates her with a 720-degree kick to the back of her head! The crowd is audibly relieved when Mars kicks out of the pinfall attempt that follows just shy of the thre-count.
Unfortunately for the rookie, the reigning NLW No Limits Champion responds to this display of guts with more unrelenting punishment.
Hampton drags Mars to her feet, the rookie a little unsteady. Measuring Trixie up, Scott tries decapitating her from the front, but Trixie ducks the discus elbow. Mars nails a few elbow smashes of her own, then runs the ropes… but whatever Trixie is about to attempt is quashed with a shoulder block from Scott that knocks her to the mat. Moving quickly, Scott rushes the ropes, springboarding off of them to catch Trixie with a springboard cutter right as she gets to her feet! Undefined is followed with another pinfall attempt from the reigning NLW No Limits Champion… and just like before? Mars is able to kick out in the nick of time, the crowd loudly cheering! Scott sneers and gets a handful of Trixie’s hair, yanking her head to one side before using that grip to haul her to her feet, cussing her out for being so disrespectful as to not stay down all the while. Just what is being said cannot be picked up by the camera mics, but it gets Mars’ dander up to the point that she kicks Hampton in the stomach as hard as she can, forcing all the air out of him and freeing herself from his grasp. Digging into one of her advantages, Trixie turns on the afterburners and rushes the ropes, springboarding off of them with a DDT that Scott bounces high after! Hampton crashes to the mat as Mars pops right back up, speeding her way over to the nearby corner before jumping to the lower, middle, then top turnbuckles, Trixie taking to the skies with her Tharsis Montes moonsault! Sticking the landing, Trixie hooks the leg for the pinfall attempt, but Hampton kicks out at two. The rookie sits back on her heels to take a breath–and suddenly, the NLW No Limits Champion snags her in a small package! Mars just barely kicks out in time to keep her chances at the G1 Final alive!
Reinvigorated by the near-finish–albeit for different reasons–both Scott and Trixie get to their feet and begin trading blows. Hampton’s experience with striking, at first, is met with solid instincts by Mars–but experience wins out with Hampton following up a stiff blow with the same discus elbow strike that failed earlier. This time, however, it connects, Mars knocked for a loop as she drops to the canvas. Sensing the end is near, Hampton calls for the end, waiting for Mars to get to her feet before charging toward her with a swing of his High Frequency Blade, but his far smaller opponent is able to duck beneath that deadly elbow! A drop toe hold from Trixie trips Scott up before he can redirect his momentum, sending him face-first into the ringpost between the top and middle turnbuckles. As the Kingpin of NLW slumps against the buckles, the rookie rises, grabbing Hampton in a cravate and running up the buckles, backflipping over him to hit him with Pacific Breeze! As he writhes after her take on Sliced Bread #2, she sees the way the wind is turning and quickly hauls herself up to the high rent district–and the moment Hampton has shifted into position? Trixie hurls herself into the air, crashing down on her opponent with the Mars Landing! The crowd cheers as Mars clutches her ribs and forces herself to hurry into the pinfall, the three-count that follows cementing the rookie’s place in the final match of the G1!
[WINNER: Trixie Mars Via The Mars Landing at 12:51]
MATCH FIVE
G1 SEMI-FINALS MATCH
NON-TITLE
MYOJIN© vs The Thespian
The crowd is almost at a fever pitch even before the match begins, with two of XHF’s best, and also most theatrical, juniors colliding in the ring. The two circle each other a few times, looking for openings, before coming together to clash. Thespian throws first, but MYOJIN sidesteps the European Uppercut and takes Thespian down with an Osoto Gari Judo throw. They try to follow up with a Kata Guruma as the former Southern States champ rolls up, but Thespian continues rolling to escape the Fireman’s Carry and as soon as he has his feet he runs the ropes. MYOJIN dodges a bicycle kick, but Thespian stops on a dime and clips them with a chop block straight out of their own playbook. Thespian looks sad as he looks down at MYOJIN, then slaps them with his left hand and immediately tries to twist MYOJIN up in a Calf Slicer. MYOJIN knows the move too well, and they’re not worn down enough yet, and they quickly get to the ropes to break the hold. Thespian holds it a couple seconds longer to get some damage in, but does not run the risk of getting disqualified by referee Gabe Valentine.
From here, the match becomes a jumble of quick exchanges for several minutes. Thespian goes for a spear but gets Rider Kicked in the face. MYOJIN goes for the Tiger Spin Drop Toe Hold, but Thespian knows when to jump to miss the leg hook, but then goes for a wheelbarrow facebuster that MYOJIN somehow reverses into an armdrag, then follows up with the shoot kicks to the back and chest into a big Penalty Kick that Thespian reverses into another Calf Slicer! MYOJIN gets the ropes again, but the damage is starting to be visible in the Shining Star’s steps. MYOJIN gets Thespian up for a German, but Thespian flips through. He gets in a series of blows including several European uppercuts that pushes MYOJIN into the corner, then hits a big corner dropkick that pulls MYOJIN forward, stumbling. He goes for the Wheelbarrow again, but he got a little cocky and MYOJIN flips through it, nailing a big Hyperpop Buster! The crowd erupts, but quickly falls into loud murmur as Thespian kicks out at two. Then it’s Thespian’s turn to struggle for his life as MYOJIN lifts an arm, looking for Aquila. They get the kimura lock, but only after Thespian has gotten himself to the ropes. MYOJIN keeps it in a couple seconds as well--turnabout’s fair play--but releases well before Gabe would have to disqualify them.
MYOJIN backs off and lets Thespian pull himself up with the ropes, which shows how the strain on the arm is affecting him. But Thespian is definitely not backing down. He rushes the Southern States champion, aiming for a leaping strike, but MYOJIN dodges it, letting Thespian charge past them. They catch the weaker arm on the way by and hop up on Thespian’s back before flipping through, planting him with the Stargazer! It’s a pinning move, and Gabe rushes in, but Thespian kicks out just in time. MYOJIN attempts to grab the arm and lock in Aquila again, but Thespian flips through, the panic fueling him to roll to his feet and yank MYOJIN down in a reverse STO! MYOJIN falls in position near a turnbuckle, prompting Thespian to look down at them. He silently shakes in a way that could be hysterical laughter or devastated sobbing, then slaps MYOJIN across the face with both hands. When MYOJIN doesn’t move, Thespian is confident enough to start climbing the turnbuckles, back toward the ring. He peeks to make sure MYOJIN is still in position before leaping backwards off the top, flipping forward and tucking his legs in a picture perfect Imploding 450 Splash. Unfortunately, he lands only on canvas as MYOJIN rolled under the bottom turnbuckle, dodging Thespian as he is Falling From Heaven. But the Shining Star is still loopy from the Flatliner and can’t take advantage before Thespian rolls toward the other side of the ring.
Both wrestlers’ chests are heaving as they pull themselves up after the double down. MYOJIN is first to their feet, as they have the ropes to help them, and they stalk Thespian, waiting for the right moment. But Thespian’s scouting pays off when he feels an Imanari Roll coming and does a forward roll over MYOJIN to dodge Orion, rolling up to his feet as MYOJIN scrambles to theirs. Thespian is behind MYOJIN and kicks the back of MYOJIN’s weakened leg with Break the Leg! The Shining Star’s knee buckles, and Thespian grabs them for the inverted suplex. MYOJIN flips through, dodging Take a Bow, but his knee buckles again, and after Thespian recovers from the reversal, he runs the ropes and blasts MYOJIN with a devastating running knee to the head! His whole body was behind the strike, and he sails past MYOJIN, falling supine on the mat as well. Gabe moves into position to start a countout, but then he notices Thespian flick an arm over MYOJIN’s chest, so he gets down to count the three count.
He gets to three, the crowd erupts one last time, and Thespian rolls to the side, and as Gabe turns away to signal for the bell, he doesn’t notice MYOJIN’s arm fall off of Thespian’s stomach...
[WINNER: The Thespian via Comedic Tragedy at 17:12]
MAIN EVENT - MATCH SIX
NLW TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
The Academy© vs The Ronin
As the Ronin, Takuma and Daisuke, make their way to the ring, Marty Watts reminds everyone in the audience that the NLW Tag Team Championship is on the line in tonight’s main event. Okazaki and Miyazaki roll into the ring before locking their gaze to the ramp. The fans give a standing ovation to the champions the moment they appear on the ramp. Leon Chant and Riley Richards slap as many hands as they can before holding their championship belts over their heads. Valentine calls for the bell and Richards and Okazaki start things off for tonight’s main event. After a few seconds of circling one another and a few feints to test the reactions of one another, Big Tiger is able to trip up the XHF European Champion and give him a few mounted elbows for his trouble. Richards is able to kick away an attempted cloverleaf before rolling to the nearest side of the ring to cling onto the bottom rope to avoid any other submission attempts/ Takuma simply delivers a few stomps before yanking Riley back to the center of the ring… but Richards is able to sweep the legs. Before Okazaki has enough time to realize what’s even going on, a fist collides with his jaw… a European uppercut that gives Riley the opening to deliver an impressive spinning heel kick. Cover by Richards but only a two. Riley tags in Leon Chant.
Chant gives a sinister grin as he tosses Okazaki into the corner to deliver a few stiff strikes before backing up to finish off the combo with a running splash… BUT OKAZAKI MOVES OUT OF THE WAY!! Tag to Daisuke Miyazaki. Miyazaki drops the two-time champion with a swinging neckbreaker. Cover by Daisuke and two count by Valentine. A running STO from Daisuke gets the same result when he covers Chant again. Instead of trying the pinfall method of victory, Miyazaki tries a different route by locking in a reverse figure four leglock. Leon Chant is nowhere near the ropes and in trouble, but eventually, Riley Richards decides that he doesn’t want to risk Chant being in that submission too long and breaks it up. Valentine starts trying to order Riley out of the ring as Okazaki slips into the ring. The Ronin members hits the Feather of Lead (lariat/running elbow smash combo) on Leon Chant once more. Okazaki sneaks back out of the ring as soon as Valentine turns back around to see Miyazaki with the cover… and still only a two count. Miyazaki gets a little too bold to try a belly-to-belly but this gives the much more powerful Chant the opening to hit one of his own. Both competitors are down. Chant reaches for Riley. Daisuke reaches for Takuma. Daisuke is able to get his tag first. Leon is inches away and… Takuma pulls him away. Unlike his earlier attempt with Riley, Okazaki successfully locks in the Texas Cloverleaf on Leon Chant. Gabe Valentine warns Riley to stay out of the ring as Leon fights to not give up and lose their championship. After about a minute or so, Leon Chant finally finds the power to pull himself to the bottom rope. And somehow, Chant finds a second wind to pull himself up and deliver a left to Takuma. Takuma replies with a right. Right from Chant. From Takuma. Chant. Chant again. Chant once more. Every fan is on their feet as Leon Chant pulls out a discus lariat that practically takes Takuma Okazaki right out of his ring boots. Both men are down but Leon is looking right at a frantic Riley Richards, who is BEGGING to get back into the ring. Leon reaches… reaches… reaches… Takuma on the opposite end is reaching for Daisuke but LEON REACHES RILEY FINALLY!!
Riley Richards leaps into the ring as Takuma tags in Daisuke. Daisuke goes for a clothesline, but Riley ducks it and drops him with a jawbreaker. Takuma pops back up and gets a scissor kick for his trouble. Riley turns his attention back to Daisuke and starts rolling for the St. Paul’s Carnival Special (rolling thunder) on Miyazaki. Cover by Riley but Takuma Okazaki interrupts the count at two. Both members of the Ronin try to fight off the XHF European Champion by whipping him into the ropes, but Riley takes this as an invitation to bounce off the middle rope to hit BOTH members of the Ronin with a springboard forearm. Cover by Riley once more but Daisuke is able to earn his kickout the old fashioned way instead of having to rely on Okazaki this time around. Before Takuma exits the ring, he does leave Riley Richards with a parting gift… Headsman’s Axe (lariat) before being ordered out of the ring. Daisuke covers but Riley finds the strength to kick out at two. Daisuke tags in Takuma and the duo team up to hit a Kamikazi Disaster (giant swing/dropkick) on Riley before Daisuke steps out of the ring. Cover by Takuma and STILL ONLY TWO!! Riley gets one last European uppercut somehow someway before diving back to his corner to tag in Leon Chant, who has had just enough rest to come back and fight. The first thing Leon Chant does is hit a big belly-to-belly that sends Takuma crashing into Daisuke on the apron. Daisuke crashes onto the floor as Takuma turns around with concern for his partner and mentor. But that moment of distraction was just want Leon needed to hit the pop up powerbomb on Takuma. Cover and with Daisuke still on the floor outside, nothing stops Gabe Valentine from hitting the three count.
[WINNER and STILL NLW Tag Team Champions: The Academy Via Pop Up Powerbomb at 16:10]
Dan Simmons: And after a back and forth battle, the champions are able to retain!
Tommy West: The Ronin gave the Academy a few scares a few times in this match. But Leon Chant and Riley Richards was able to overcome all of that to leave this match with their reign commencing.
Dan Simmons: Well, we got a big one coming in two weeks. Thespian versus Mars. Marks versus Blade. Dillinger versus Whelan. And much, much more.
Tommy West: Collision Course is going to be one hell of a show, that’s for sure, Dan!
Dan Simmons: Well that will do it for us here in New Orleans! I’m Dan Simmons with Marty Watts and Tommy West. We will see you all in two weeks for NLW Collision Course!!
CREDITS
Match One - Adrien
Match Two - Jake
Match Three - Thespian
Match 4 - Kris
Match 5 - Jake
Match 6 - Adrien
Match One - Adrien
Match Two - Jake
Match Three - Thespian
Match 4 - Kris
Match 5 - Jake
Match 6 - Adrien
