Post by Admin on Jun 29, 2020 15:23:48 GMT -5
Next Level: Victorem - June 26, 2020
Scott Parker: Welcome everyone at home! This is Next Level: Victorem! Tonight is a night full of hope, optimism, and excitement as it’ll be the second Victorem Ladder Match where the winner wins that briefcase with a contract for a championship opportunity. Six competitors will fight it out but only won will have a career changing moment.
Gemma Foster: We have rookies, young talent, former World Champions. It’s bound to be exciting, Scott.
Scott Parker: Also, don’t forget that next week we start the Warfare series as teams will be on the hunt for that amazing trophy and bragging rights.
Gemma Foster: That’s next week, tonight is now! What about the Primetime Championship match coming up in just a little bit? Can Outlaw finally win it, beat Macbeth, and rub it in the face of AJ Adams? Or maybe AJ Adams can top off his return with gold? It’s so hard to count out Ben Macbeth because look at his track record. He's arguably the greatest champion in Empire Wrestling history.
Scott Parker: I think Daniel Daemon would argue as he’s looking to become the first ever two-time EW World Champion as he takes on Lacy Nelson. Daemon has said that he’s going it alone tonight, no Kingsmen, but we shall see if he holds true to his word. Lacy Nelson is going to have an uphill battle against the big man. It’s the might of the Emperor versus the Superkick of the Champion.
Gemma Foster: The only other news we have before the show kicks off is that due to travel restrictions, Zoey Mathews-Mitchell will not be here to defend the Extreme Championship tonight and that match has been postponed.
Scott Parker: We’re kicking the night off with the Tag Team Championships on the line!
Josh Cherry and Harvey Carbine stepped out onto the stage in brand new EMBLEM shirts. The two bumped fists and the fived before pointing to the ring. They walked down to the ring and jumped onto the apron before climbing in and posing on the ropes.
Gemma Foster: The longest reigning Tag Team Champions looking to regain the belts tonight. I got to tell you, Josh Cherry is looking incredible. It’s got to be keto or something.
Dave Blazenwing was the first out to the stage for the Old Guard with his long trench coat covering his title. Luke Mathews stepped out from behind the curtain as his music started to play and Blazenwing flipped his hair back and opened his coat to show off the belt as Mathews held his up. The two placed the belts on their shoulders and made their way to the ring. They rolled in and were immediately attacked by Cherry and Carbine as the bell rang. Carbine had Mathews to his feet and landed a hard series of three chops to the chest before clotheslining him over the ropes. Blazenwing was battling with Cherry, trying to get the upper hand, before Cherry hit him with a forearm to the face that staggered him. Carbine grabbed Blazenwing from behind and hit him with a German suplex.
Scott Parker: Midnight Special are keeping the Old Guard off their feet and are looking to dominate this match.
Mathews was back in the ring and charged both members of Midnight Special and ducked under a double clothesline and kept running the ropes. On the return, Mathews dove and hit a double crossbody! Mathews popped up to his feet and kicked Cherry out of the ring. Carbine started to stand and he locked up right away with Mathews. Mathews hit a few quick forearms to the face and sent him into the Old Guard corner where he made the tag to Blazenwing. Blazenwing got into the ring and Mathews looked for a belly to back suplex and Blazenwing came over with a neckbreaker. Blazenwing dropped a knee on the chest of Carbine before pulling him up. Carbine looked for a school boy pin but Blazenwing rolled through and to his feet. Blazenwing looked for a spear but Carbine jumped over him and dove for a tag to Cherry. Cherry jumped into the ring and Cherry came flying off the top with Citizen Kane (Kane’s Top Rope Lariat). Cherry and Blazenwing rolled to their feet and Cherry hit Blazenwing with a sit-out spinebuster. Cherry covered and Blazenwing easily kicked out at two.
Gemma Foster: Still fight left in the champs.
Blazenwing battled to his feet with right hands and ducked a forearm smash from Cherry. Blazenwing looked for the Full Effect (Sweet Chin Music) but Cherry dodged it. Cherry hit the ropes and came back with Baba Yaga Bullet (Running Flying Reverse Elbow to the Face). Cherry got to his feet and knocked Mathews off the apron and went to a cover, getting two before Blazenwing kicked out. Cherry made the tag to Carbine and then lifted Blazenwing up and Carbine finished up the Hart Attack. Carbine went for a cover and it was broken up at two by Mathews. Cherry charged into the ring and looked for Cherry’s Jubilee (Jump Stalling Sidekick) on Mathews but he was able to sidestep it. Mathews grabbed Cherry by the throat and delivered the Chokebuster (Chokeslam lift to kneeling spinebuster). Carbine went at Mathews but Mathews grabbed him by the throat. Carbine kicked Mathews away but Blazenwing grabbed Carbine from behind. Mathews hit the ropes and hit him with the Tower of Power (Clothesline From Hell) and Blazenwing delivered a German suplex. Blazenwing bridged into a pin but was pulled off by Cherry just before three.
Gemma Foster: So close!
Cherry turned to Mathews and grabbed him, showcasing his new finisher, the Cherry Popper (Whale Hunt)! Cherry turned to Blazenwing and was lifted up and driven into the mat with a Death Valley Driver. Carbine was up and kicked Blazenwing in the gut. He started to set him up for a powerbomb and Blazenwing flipped him backwards. Carbine landed on his feet and hit the ropes. He looked for a clothesline but Blazenwing pulled him into the Firehawk Lock (Crippler Crossface)! Cherry tried to get back into the ring but Mathews had a hold on his foot and pulled him out of the ring as Carbine tapped.
Scott Parker: Luke and Dave retain!
Gemma Foster: That was a hard fought win for sure but yet again the Old Guard has the number of Midnight Special.
Blazenwing met Mathews near the bottom of the ramp and they were handed the championship belts as Cherry checked on Carbine who was sitting up now. The two teams mouthed off to each other as the champs walked up the ramp backwards.
Strange Magic
The lights suddenly go out in the warehouse.
Scott Parker: What the--
The screen flickers to life, and after a moment of static and white noise, a black and white scene opens on a dark table in the woods. Candles are spread over it, and candles also form a circle around the clearing. Large live oak trees dominate, and the hanging Spanish moss gives the scene an eerie feel.
The scene cuts to the table, which looks like some sort of an altar. Other than the candles, there is a poppet and a crude knife. A hand, delicate and adorned with jewelry, passes over the candles. The flames flicker. The hand settles over the knife.
The knife is shown, up close, cutting the fabric on the poppet. Inside, straw stuffing. When the knife cuts across the leg of the doll, another hand shoots up. The doll’s leg is violently wrenched, a snap is heard, and a twig, obviously representing a bone in the leg, is shown protruding from the cut made by the knife.
The leg is shown being sewn up, the twig “bone” still protruding. The doll is lovingly placed back on the altar. The scene fades to darkness.
Female voice: So be it.
The screen goes black, leaving the warehouse in total darkness for a moment before the lights come back on.
Gemma Foster: What does that even mean?
The match starts off with AJ absolutely not sweating Gio, the bigger man paces around the ring, cracking his knuckles and his neck. Gio rushes at Jenkynx, who simply ducks him, smirking about it. AJ taunts Deluca telling him how very little of a threat he is. Deluca responds by this time rushing past AJ and bouncing off the ropes, building up speed for a dropkick that takes Jenkynx off his feet! Gio follows up by trying to stomp Jenkynx into the mat, the bigger man just growls tanking the blows to the head and shoulders. Just to prove how much they don’t hurt, until finally AJ gets tired of it, sits up and head butts Deluca right in the gut! AJ uses this to pick the hater up, and suplex him back down to the mat! Instead of letting go, AJ picks Gip back up and shakes him around like a dog with a bone! AJ holds the bear hug for long enough for the Ref to ask if Deluca wants to call it quicks. Gio still thrashing and squirming screams an empathic NO! Aj finally ends poor Gio’s suffering, for another kind of suffering, slamming him back down into the mat again with another suplex. More shaking about, Gio helpless to do anything but kick and flail, all of which seemed to bounce off the Sinner. A third suplex! This time when Gio was hefted up, he was back body dropped by Jenkynx so hard it sent Deluca to another zip code! Deluca rolled out of the ring to gain some distance, and when Jenkynx rolled out of the ring to follow him, Gio grabbed him by the feet and made sure his head hit the apron on the way down, then dragged him over and slammed him head first into the railing! A wise move on Gio’s part!
Gemma Foster: Gio using everything he can at his disposal.
Gio stomped AJ down once again, enough to get the Sinner lifted up. The smaller Gio struggled with the bigger man a moment, before ramming him back first into the ringpost! He then side walk slammed AJ into the ground outside the ring, and scurried back into the ring at four on the ten count! Deluca left Jenkynx to writhe in pain on the outside, seeming content to win by count out if that’s what it came to. At seven on the count however, Jenkynx kipped up, Sinner reaching the bottom rope and flinging himself in the ring with authority. Gio backed up as AJ stalked across the ring, but suddenly came off the ring with a flying uppercut that dropped Jenkynx! Deluca was quick to follow up, right on Jenkynx to hit a Slingblade and go for a cover! Two count! Jenkynx kicking out so hard it sends Gio up in the air. Aj’s on his feet, and the pair start to trade strike for strike, lefts and rights. With Gio eventually losing that battle, being driven into the ropes. AJ whips Gio into the ropes, where he racks the hater up for a jumping facebuster! Instead of going for the cover, AJ stalks around Deluca, as if waiting for him to get up. Gio, smartly, plays possum, until Jenkynx comes back, where Gio hits a borderline low blow and despite a warning from the ref, takes advantage. He jumps up and brings Jenkynx back down with a DDT, then rolled up! Two count! Again, AJ powering his way out! Aj seems to have had enough of playing with Deluca, brushing aside Deluca’s attempt at a chop, instead AJ backed his opponent into a corner and hit Wicked Sins (End Of Heartache)! AJ went for the cover, and got a two count! Jenkynx growled furiously, pulling the still loopy Deluca up and took him down an empathic I’m Deadlier (Killswitch)! One! Two!! Three!!!
Scott Parker: AJ Jenkynx picking up a win in his debut here in EW.
Casey comes to the ring with a knee brace on, seemingly a precaution. Alicia enters the ring next. The two meet in the center of the ring before the bell. The referee tries to get between them as Casey is saying something to Alicia. Alicia just smirks, which causes Casey to shove her. Alicia responds with a forearm smash to Casey’s face, sending her reeling. The bell rings. Before Casey turns back around, Alicia gets in a single leg dropkick which sends Casey through the ropes to the floor. Alicia backs up, arms out, waiting for Casey to get back in the ring. Casey is quick to get back in. The two lock up, and Casey pushes Alicia back into a corner. As the referee counts, Casey lets Alicia go but unloads a solid right hand. Alicia is stunned, and the referee warns Casey but she punches Alicia again. Casey whips Alicia to the other side of the ring and charges in after her. Alicia uses her quickness to leap onto the middle rope and gets off a springboard enzuigiri on Casey. Casey staggers a bit towards the center of the ring and Alicia leaps off of the second rope again, looking for a single arm bulldog but Casey catches her and reverses it into a spinebuster. Casey takes a moment to get to her feet, limping slightly towards a corner.
Scott Parker: Casey favoring that knee still.
Gemma Foster: She may have twisted it on that last move.
Casey adjusts her knee brace as Alicia gets up. Casey sends Alicia to the ropes again and lands a powerslam. Casey pulls Alicia to her feet and goes for a Racklash (Rack attack) but Alicia fights her way out of the hold and drops Casey with a reverse DDT. Alicia then climbs up a corner again, and when Casey stands up shaking out the cobwebs, Alicia hits a Lynchpin (Diving Reverse STO). Alicia drags Casey to the center of the ring and rolls her onto her back. Alicia again climbs to the top rope and after a quick look over her shoulder, launches into a White Lightning (Moonsault). Alicia lands the move and is back to her feet. She celebrates for a moment while Casey lies on the mat. When she stops, she goes for Casey’s knee brace. The referee tries to stop her but Alicia is too hyped up. Alicia throws the brace onto the mat and grabs Casey’s leg. Casey tries to get to the ropes but Alicia quickly cinches in Tangled Web (Reverse Indian Death Lock). Casey screams in pain while Alicia mocks her. Casey inches towards the ropes, but Alicia pulls harder on the hold, and Casey taps out.
Gemma Foster: Dominating performance by Alicia tonight.
Scott Parker: Yeah, I don’t think Casey’s knee is fully ready. She didn’t have the confidence tonight that she normally has.
After the bell, Casey drags herself to the corner and Alicia picks up the knee brace. Casey holds her knee and Alicia throws the knee brace in Casey’s face and leaves the ring. A short time later Casey rolls out of the ring and limps to the back.
Around the ring stood 4 ladders, another 2 on either side of the ring, and above it all was the Victorem Briefcase. Time Bomb" by Hollywood Undead started to ring throughout the Warehouse as DISHONOR was displayed on the jumbotron and out walked Kaito Hirano. Hirano dropped to his knees and put his forehead to the steel ramp before rolling forward and up to his feet. He threw a kick and an elbow before he trotted to the ring and jumped to the apron. He leaped over the ropes and landed on his feet as he started to stretch. He stood under the briefcase and looked up and reached upwards towards it.
Gemma Foster: We saw Kaito in that special last night and this is more than just winning a briefcase for him. It’s almost, in a way, he’s here to redeem himself by whatever means necessary. Having Fenryr in this match is just icing on the cake for him.
“Hallelujah” by Panic at the Disco started to play and out jogged Marilyn Lee Cross. She smiled and posed at the top of the ramp as she looked down at Hirano.
Scott Parker: Cross is one of the newest members of the EW roster and being trained by FM Young will add an interesting wrinkle in this match as they’ll both be fighting for the same prize.
Gemma Foster: She seems to have incredible talent. I think she’s only starting to scratch the surface here in Empire Wrestling.
Cross was on the apron and slowly climbed in as Hirano backed into a corner. She moved around the ring as "Fenrir" by Fferyllt started to play and out walked the beast Fenryr Wulfsson. He flexed at the top of the ramp and rolled his head around as he cracked his neck.
Scott Parker: The strongest competitor in this match is on his way out now. Fenryr put Josh Goldstein THROUGH a ladder last year in this very match.
Fenryr looked at the ladders on the opposite sides of the ramp and then climbed up the steel steps as Help Me” by Alkaline Trio played and out walked Brighton Fischer. She removed her Grrrls neoprene mask and flipped open her jacket. She adjusted her elbow pads before making her way down the ramp.
Gemma Foster: Brighton Fischer has been able to pull off some big time wins here in Empire Wrestling but has fallen short of the World Championship twice. This might be another big win for her tonight.
Fischer rolled into the ring and tossed her jacket over the ropes and moved around the ring as it started to fill up. FM Young stepped onto the stage as "Helix" by Amaranthe started to play. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and checked the tightness on her knee pads. She took a knee as she looked down at the ring. She gave a flex and smirked as she popped to her feet. She started to move down the ring as she took a deep, calming breath.
Scott Parker: FM Young has been talking for weeks about how important this match is to her and what winning means.
Gemma Foster: That ring is starting to fill up and it could-
As Young climbed into the ring, the match started early because Kaito Hirano ran up and kicked Fenryr with a jumping heel kick!
Gemma Foster: Here we go!
Scott Parker: Harper Blake isn’t out here yet!
Hirano shot kicks at the legs of Fenryr as everyone looked around the ring. Young and Cross quickly went to work together and had Fischer in a corner and unloaded with punches and kicks. Harper Blake rushed down the ring and slid under the ropes and jumped to her feet. She pulled Cross out of the corner and turned her around before hitting her with a jumping knee strike. Cross fell into the ropes and came back with a running palm strike. Fenryr had Hirano downed in the corner and was choking him with a boot to the throat. Fischer hit Young with a kick to the gut in the corner and was able to slip out. Fischer charged to the other side of the ring and jumped onto the back of Fenryr and hit a neckbreaker. Young and Cross backed into each other and quickly turned. They were about to square off when Blake came flying off the top rope with a double dropkick.
Gemma Foster: Action all over the ring.
Hirano was on the outside of the ring and had pulled a table out from under the ring and set it up on the side with the ramp. He started to set up a second one right beside it and then jumped onto the apron. He climbed into the ring and Fischer was there with a belly to belly slam. She jumped to her feet but was grabbed from behind by Fenryr as he hit the Gravedigger (Full Nelson Legsweep Faceplant). Fenryr got to his feet and Blake looked for a clothesline but he didn’t budge. She charged again and was slammed to the mat with a powerslam. Cross charged at Fenryr and he lifted her above his head. He was looking to throw her outside of the ring with the 9-9-9 (Gorilla Press Slam), through the tables, but Young ran over and pulled her down. Fenryr turned and he and Young had a standoff. She rocked him with a hard right hand and he just turned his head. He gave her a headbutt that caused her to take a step back.
Scott Parker: Fenryr and FM exchanging hard blows!
She stepped up and kicked him in the chest that sent him into the ropes. He came back and looked to drop her with a clothesline but she ducked it and hit the ropes. Fenryr turned around and was hit with the Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline) that caused him to hit the mat. Young was fired up and Blake was there with a running forearm to the face. Blake grabbed Young and looked for a suplex but Young countered and landed on her feet. Cross hit the ropes and took Blake down with the Mary Go Round (Discus Big Boot)!
Gemma Foster: Nice tandem offense there.
Only Cross and Young were left standing in the ring and the both readied themselves. They started to circle each other and locked up.
Scott Parker: Here we go!
Cross hit a palm strike and Young came right back with a back elbow. Young looked for a lariat but Cross ducked it and hit the ropes. She looked for a crossbody but Young drove her to the mat with a powerslam. Young popped back up to her feet and Cross stumbled up. Young looked for Man-Machine Interface and Cross ducked it. Cross lifted Young up for the Do A Barrel Roll (Cartwheel Death Valley Driver) but Fenryr was back in the ring and he speared Cross!
Gemma Foster: What a spear!
Hirano had pulled a ladder into the ring and had it leaning in a corner. Hirano charged into Fenryr and a hard elbow to the face. Fenryr dropped Hirano with a scoop slam. He bent down to grab him but was hit in the back with a chair from Blake! Blake dropped the chair and spun Fenryr around and drove him head first into it with a DDT.
Scott Parker: Harper Blake trying to eliminate Fenryr from this match.
Blake stood over Fenryr for a moment but was grabbed by Young and hit with a dragon suplex. Young looked around the ring and slid out, grabbing a ladder. She slid it in and climbed inside, quickly setting it up. Before she could start to climb, however, Cross started to climb up the other side. Young pulled her off and started to climb before Cross grabbed her foot and pulled her off and caught her on her shoulders. Cross hit the Do a Barrel Roll on Young and jumped up to her feet. Cross ran to the corner and hit a Vader bomb on Young. Cross got to her feet but turned right into a cutter from Blake!
Gemma Foster: Blake is the only one standing!
Blake started to scale up the ladder, looking up on her way. Hirano started to climb up the opposite side and reached around the ladder with a hard shot to the side. He met her at the top of the ramp and tried to reach up for the briefcase but she returned a punch to the gut and then bounced his head off the top of the ladder. Fenryr was at the bottom of the ladder and started to shake it. He went to the side and pushed up the middle supports.
Scott Parker: What is Fenryr doing?
The ladder wobbled a bit and Fenryr was able to give it a push as it slowly started to tip and Blake and Hirano went falling to the outside through both tables!
Gemma Foster: Harper and Kaito just crashed and burned through those tables!
Referees checked on the two as Fenryr took a knee for a moment. He collected himself and pulled the ladder back to the center of the ring. Before he could get up the ladder, Young was there to pull him away. Fenryr grabbed Young by the throat and lifted up with the Nine Days (Two-handed Suspended Choke Hold). He held her for a few moments and then tossed her to the side as Fischer grabbed him from behind with a ripcord knee strike. This staggered Fenryr aas she jumped up with a bicycle knee strike! He stumbled and Cross came running over and hit the John Wilkes Boot (Running Yakuza Kick to the back of the head)! Fenryr dropped to the mat and Young started to climb to her feet. She had an idea as she pulled Fenryr into position and showed off her own power as she hit Fenryr with a bucklebomb into the ladder that had been set up in the corner!
Scott Parker: Young just powerbombed Fenryr into the ladder!
Fenryr was still trying to get to his feet.
Gemma Foster: And somehow he’s still moving!
Fischer came off about halfway up the ladder and hit Fenryr with the Gone Fischin’ (Diving Double Foot Stomp)! Cross started to climb up the ladder but was grabbed by Young. Cross kicked her off and kept trying to climb. Fischer started to climb up the other side before Young started to climb up behind Cross. Fischer and Cross exchanged blows and Cross slammed Fischer face first into the ladder and pushed her off and she fell to the mat. Young tried to reach over Cross and took an elbow to the face and started to lean but held on. Young slammed Cross into the ladder and hit her with a forearm to the back of the head. Young grabbed Cross and lifted her up and fell backwards as they both fell to the mat and Young hit the Heart of a Phoenix (Lumbar Check)!
Scott Parker: Oh my god! Heart of a Phoenix from the ladder!
Everyone was down as the ladder tipped over and fell. Somehow, Kaito had crawled out of the rubble of the tables and was sliding a new ladder into the ring. He couldn’t pull himself into the ring however but out ran Jason Evans.
Gemma Foster: Jason Evans is out here to help Kaito!
Evans helped Kaito get into the ring and then jumped in and started to set up the ladder for him. He pulled Hirano over to the ladder and pointed up to the case. Fischer was up and hit Evans with the ripcord knee strike. He came back at her and she caught him with the cutter! Hirano was halfway up the ladder and Fischer pulled him off and met him with a cutter! Fischer started to climb but was grabbed by the foot by Young. Fischer looked for a poisonrana but Young countered into the Human Error Processor (Assault Driver). Young pulled herself up the ladder slowly.
Gemma Foster: Could this be it!?
Young got to the top of the ladder as Cross was pulling herself into the ring as was Fenryr.
Scott Parker: She’s being surrounded!
Young hurried but couldn’t get the case off the hook. Fenryr was in and had a hand on the ladder as Young unhooked the case and the bell sounded!
Gemma Foster: FM wins!
Young leaned over the top of the ladder and looked down in disbelief for a moment before sliding down the ladder and falling to the mat. She looked around as the ring emptied and Cross and Fenryr rolled out of the ring. Young held the briefcase up and pounded the mat.
Scott Parker: FM Young is walking out of here with a championship opportunity.
Hirano and Evans looked on from the outside of the ring as Young celebrated and we got a brief commercial.
Scott Parker: The Primetime Championship is next and this one should be a hard hitting match.
“Lights Out” by POD started to play as we got AJ Adams out for the match first. Stood at the top of the ramp for a few moments and closed his eyes and soaked in the non-existent cheers that he has yet to year since his return.
Gemma Foster: I talked to AJ earlier today and he said he said he wished that he could’ve come back once fans were allowed back in the Warehouse but that he couldn’t wait. He was too eager to return but he’s gotten a lot of supportive messages on Twitter from fans.
Adams rolled in under the ropes and climbed to his feet and then the second turnbuckle. He pounded his chest and pointed out to the seats. He called for the belt around his waist and Skillet’s “Sick of It” started to play and out walked Outlaw. Outlaw made eye contact with Adams and started to pace across the stage.
Scott Parker: Outlaw and AJ Adams have a history from many, many years ago where AJ Adams eventually bested Outlaw. Outlaw sounds like he’s held onto the grudge and that’s why he came to Empire Wrestling. He wants to end AJ’s career.
Outlaw had jumped up to the ramp as we were introduced to the Primetime Champion, Ben Macbeth. He was ready to go tonight with no coat, no glasses, just his trunks and gear with the championship around his waist. He unsnapped it and held it up as both Outlaw and Adams watched on.
Gemma Foster: The greatest champion in Empire Wrestling history. You don’t have to like the man but I will argue all day that he is one of the best competitors ever to step into an EW ring.
Macbeth slowly made his way down and was now in the ring as he looked at the championship as he handed it off to the referee. The match was announced along with all the competitors. All three men stood around the ring as the bell sounded and no one moved. Outlaw charged Adams and ran into a back elbow to the face before Macbeth charged Adams and hit him with a running bicycle knee strike. Macbeth turned and hit Outlaw with a hard palm strike before hitting him with a kick to the gut. Outlaw doubled over and Macbeth caught him with a lifting knee. Adams came running over and hit Outlaw with a flipping neckbreaker. Adams got to his feet and was speared into the corner by Macbeth. Macbeth started to unload with a flurry of strikes and Adams covered up. Adams pushed him off and swung but Macbeth ducked it and grabbed him from behind. Macbeth ran him chest first into the corner and they rolled backwards and up to their feet as Macbeth kept going and hit the String Theory (Rolling German Suplex). Macbeth was up and Outlaw came flying from the apron with a springboard crossbody. Outlaw jumped to his feet and looked for a cover but barely got one as Macbeth kicked out. Outlaw speared Macbeth into the corner. He looked for a corner splash but Macbeth moved out of the way and Outlaw hit the corner hard. Macbeth took Outlaw down with a German suplex. Macbeth was fired up as he got up quickly and charged over to Adams who was up and dropped him with a running forearm. Adams rolled to his feet and Macbeth Macbeth looked for a belly to back suplex but Adams flipped backwards and landed on his feet. Adams tried to lock in Lights Out (Tazzmission) but Macbeth hit him with an elbow to the side of the head to break free. Macbeth ran for the ropes but Outlaw was there to drive him to the mat with the Lock-up (Black hole slam).
Scott Parker: Macbeth just hit the mat hard!
Macbeth rolled out of the ring as Outlaw and Adams squared off. The two met in the middle of the ring and started to wildly throw punches at each other. Adams pulled the legs out from Outlaw and jumped on him with hard punches. Adams pulled Outlaw up and quickly dropped him with a suplex. They both rolled to their feet and Adams lifted Outlaw up and dropped him with a brainbuster. Adams rolled onto Outlaw for a cover and got two as Outlaw kicked out. Adams hit Outlaw with a hard forearm and got up to his feet. Macbeth was back in the ring and hit Adams with a hard knee to the gut. Macbeth unloaded the Toil & Trouble (Combo; Knee Kicks, Spinning Back Kick, Leaping Knee, Spinning Backfist) combo on Adams. Macbeth grabbed Adams and hit him with a Back Suplex to Wheel Barrow Facebuster. Macbeth rolled onto the chest of Adams for a cover and got two before Outlaw broke it up. Macbeth was blindside with a kick to the back and then tossed into the corner. Outlaw ran and drove his knee into the gut of Macbeth and then rolled him onto the mat. Outlaw was to the top rope and came flying off and hit the It Came From Above II (Frog splash)!
Gemma Foster: Outlaw crashing down onto Macbeth!
Outlaw hooked a leg and Macbeth kicked out at two. Outlaw looked for another quick cover but Adams pulled him off right away. Adams hit Outlaw with Eat It (Fameasser) and then jumped back to his feet. He quickly pulled Macbeth up to his feet but Macbeth was ready for him with a small package for two. Both men were up quickly and Adams tackled Macbeth through the ropes and to the outside floor! Adams was up first and bounced Macbeth’s face off the announce table. Macbeth came back with a hard forearm strike to the face and then speared Adams into the apron.
Scott Parker: Adams and Macbeth with no love lost for each other.
They continued to fight at ringside as Outlaw took them both out with the Flying High (Springboard triangle plancha to the outside)!
Gemma Foster: Oh my! Outlaw risking it all and just took out both men!
Outlaw climbed to his feet and pulled Macbeth in and rolled him into the ring. Adams was starting to stand and Outlaw rolled him in as well. Outlaw started to climb into the ring but was grabbed by Adams and hit with a rope hung DDT! Adams pulled Outlaw away from the ropes and covered but Macbeth broke it up at two. Macbeth and Adams both sat on their knees and started to go back and forth with hard chops. They exchanged four chops each before climbing to their feet. Macbeth drove his elbow into the shoulder area of Adams and took him to a knee.
Scott Parker: Macbeth targeting that rotator cuff area that was injured at the beginning of the year and kept Adams out of action for five months.
Macbeth threw hard elbows into the shoulder of Adams before flipping him to the mat and quickly locking in the Inevitability (Rings of Saturn Submission). Adams screamed in pain as Macbeth yelled at him to tap. Adams tried to move towards the ropes but Outlaw broke it up. Outlaw pulled Macbeth in and quickly hit him with the Breaking the Law (Canadian Destroyer). Outlaw was slow to make the cover and Adams broke it up at the last moment and then all three men were down.
Gemma Foster: Each man is running low it looks like. All it will take is one move to end this thing.
Outlaw started to pull Adams to his feet and then sent him into the corner and Adams went up and over to the apron. Outlaw turned back to Macbeth and was rocked with the From Parts Unknown (360 Buzzsaw Kick). Outlaw dropped to a knee and Macbeth then hit him with Serious Moonlight (Lifting Single Underhook DDT). Macbeth went into a cover and was pulled off by Adams just before three. Macbeth got to his feet and took a kick to the gut which allowed Adams to drive him into the mat with the Legacy Maker (Sister Abigail). Macbeth rolled away before Adams could make a cover. Outlaw was starting to stir and Adams locked him into the Lights Out and he faded away, forcing the referee to call for the bell!
Scott Parker: AJ Adams is Primetime Champion!
Gemma Foster: He just choked Outlaw out and Macbeth is left with nothing!
Adams let go of the hold and scrambled to his feet and fell into the ropes. He grabbed the Primetime Championship and swung it up into the air. He put it on his shoulder as he fell back into the corner in a seated position. Macbeth crawled to his knees on the outside and watched on, his frustration showing on his face.
Scott Parker: The 176 day reign of Ben Macbeth as Primetime Champion has ended.
We get another shot of Macbeth as Adams celebrates.
Scott Parker: Welcome to the main event!
“Year Zero” by Ghost kicked up as the red lights started to flash around the Warehouse. Out stepped Daniel Daemon, alone, as he wasted no time on the ramp and started his way down to the ring.
Gemma Foster: Daemon is looking to become World Champion once again after his incredible 366 day reign ended back in April.
Daemon climbed up and over the top rope as he paced in the ring for a moment and then calmed and watched up at the ramp. His music ended and there was a long pause of nothing as he just watched on. He tilted his head as nothing happened for a few more moments before “Come and Get It” by I Prevail finally kicked up.
Scott Parker: I think Lacy Nelson might be playing some mind games, taking her time.
Nelson finally, slowly, stepped out onto the stage and looked down to Daemon. She opened her L2N jacket to reveal the World Championship. She pointed down to it and then took off her jacket. She tossed it, never taking her eyes off Daemon. She removed the championship and held it up as Daemon’s eyes followed it.
Gemma Foster: It was one year ago that Lacy’s journey to the World Championship started. Does it come to an end tonight?
Nelson marched her way down to the ring and jumped to the apron, climbing in. She looked down at the title once again and handed it off. The referee held it up as we had the match announced and the bell sounded. Daemon charged and looked for a big boot but Nelson dodged it quickly. She jumped onto his back and locked in a sleeper. He tried to throw her off but she held on tight. Daemon charged, back first, into the corner. Nelson let go and Daemon flipped him forward and hard to the mat. He stomped at her and she rolled out of the way, using her speed. She rolled to her feet and Daemon grabbed her by the throat and delivered a chokeslam.
Scott Parker: Chokeslam!
Daemon grabbed Nelson by the throat while on the ground and lifted her up. He looked for a second chokeslam but she spun away in the air and landed on her feet. She looked for a superkick but he swatted her away and hit a belly to back suplex. Nelson hit the mat hard and rolled out to the apron. She pulled herself up as Daemon approached her and she drove her shoulder into his gut. She reached up and grabbed Daemon by the head and dropped down, sending him throat first into the ropes. He staggered backwards and she jumped back up to the apron. She quickly climbed the turnbuckle and looked for a crossbody but he caught her midair. He walked around the ring with her in hand before hitting a fallaway slam. Daemon slowly climbed to his feet and brushed off his shoulders.
Gemma Foster: Daemon showing off his power early on in this match. He keeps this up, it won’t last much longer.
He grabbed Nelson by the hair and pulled her up as she swung at him and connected with a right hand. She jumped up and locked in a guillotine choke, trying to pull him to the mat. He used his power and stayed standing but dropped to a knee after a few moments.
Scott Parker: Lacy Nelson trying to choke Daemon out.
Daemon powered to his feet and lifted Nelson up in the air and then down with the Power of Asmodeus (Delayed vertical suplex). Both were a little slow to get to their feet but Nelson was up first. Daemon got to his knees and Nelson charged, hitting the Hollywood Split (Shining Wizard). Nelson covered and Daemon kicked out at one. Nelson hit the ropes and looked for another Hollywood Split but Daemon blocked most of it as he covered up. He got to his feet Nelson charged but he lifted her up and connected with his Ritual Disembowelment II (Gorilla Press Gutbuster). Nelson gasped for air before he rolled her into a cover but she was able to kick out at two. Nelson rolled out of the ring quickly and took a few deep breaths.
Gemma Foster: Lacy taking a literal breather here.
Daemon didn’t give her long as he went running around the ring and dropped her with a hard shoulder tackle. He pulled her up and then lifted her above his head and dropped her onto the announce table. He shouted at Parker and Foster to move as he climbed up after Nelson. He pulled Nelson up and lifted her, trying to prepare her for the Twist of Cain (Jumping spinning tombstone piledriver). Nelson slipped behind him and landed on her feet. Daemon turned around and Nelson jumped up and spiked him through the table with a DDT!
Scott Parker: DDT through the table!
The referee started his count in the ring as Nelson slowly got to her feet. She tried to pull on Daemon but could only get him to budge off the table. She stumbled and rolled into the ring, ready to accept the countout. Daemon crawled and dove into the ring at 8 to save the count. He climbed to his feet and Nelson was there to hit him with a running forearm that staggered him into the corner. She charged and hit him with a corner splash. Nelson pulled Daemon out and grabbed him by the arm.
Gemma Foster: Here we go! Headline!
Daemon countered and whipped Nelson into the ropes and hit her with the Inquisition (POWERFUL running lariat)! Daemon rolled Nelson into a cover and she kicked out at two. He almost couldn’t believe it as he looked at the referee and pulled her up. He started to lift her up again for the Twist of Cain but she rolled him up into a small package and got two before he kicked out. She popped to her feet as he got to his knees and rocked him with a superkick!
Gemma Foster: Superkick!
Nelson dropped onto Daemon and he kicked out just before three.
Scott Parker: Lacy was unable to hook the legs of Daemon and he’s able to power out.
Nelson locked in a sleeper on Daemon and he slowly climbed to his feet with her on his back. He dropped backwards and drove her hard into the mat. Both competitors were slowly getting up and he grabbed her by the throat and delivered a chokeslam. He dropped to his knees and covered her, getting two before a kickout. Daemon looked frustrated as he pulled Nelson up and drove her to the mat with a second chokeslam. He looked down at Nelson and pulled her up and held her up by her throat. He looked for a third chokeslam but she countered into a kimura lock. Daemon fell to a knee as Nelson had her back on the mat with the hold locked in. He tried to position her and the referee counted her shoulders down for two and she broke the hold to break the count. She got to her feet and stumbled back to the ropes. Daemon charged and she pulled down the ropes and he went over the top to the apron. She ran at him but ran into a big right hand. Daemon climbed into the ring and was hit by a running lifting knee! Nelson covered and got a two count as he kicked out just before three. She popped up right to her feet and roared, trying to fire herself up. Daemon started to stand and she rocked him with a superkick! He fell to the ropes, refusing to go down! He came out swinging and she hit him with another superkick! Daemon staggered but still wouldn’t fall.
Scott Parker: Daniel Daemon will not go down!
He came back towards her and grabbed her by her throat. She hit his arm away and grabbed him by the hand and then delivered the Headline (Eat Defeat). Nelson sat on Daemon, pulling his legs back to maximize her pin, and picked up the victory!
Gemma Foster: Lacy! Lacy! Lacy Nelson has just pinned Daniel Daemon in the middle of the ring!
Scott Parker: He would not go down! It took kick after kick after kick and she finally slayed the demon.
Nelson fell forward, out of energy as she was announced the winner. She crawled forward and was handed the championship that she held tight. She pulled herself up using the ropes and pulled her hair back and smiled.
Gemma Foster: I don’t think she can believe it.
Nelson celebrated in the ring as Daemon fell out of the ring after rolling out under the ropes. As Nelson celebrated, FM Young walked out onto the stage with a towel around her neck and her briefcase in hand. She put it down as Nelson looked up at the ramp to see her. The two locked eyes as Young clapped.
Scott Parker: Oh boy, Gemma. It’s starting to come full circle. Folks, that all the time we have for tonight. We’ll see you next week!
Our final shot is of Nelson holding up the World Championship with Young holding up the Victorem briefcase.
[/b][/b][/div]Gemma Foster: We have rookies, young talent, former World Champions. It’s bound to be exciting, Scott.
Scott Parker: Also, don’t forget that next week we start the Warfare series as teams will be on the hunt for that amazing trophy and bragging rights.
Gemma Foster: That’s next week, tonight is now! What about the Primetime Championship match coming up in just a little bit? Can Outlaw finally win it, beat Macbeth, and rub it in the face of AJ Adams? Or maybe AJ Adams can top off his return with gold? It’s so hard to count out Ben Macbeth because look at his track record. He's arguably the greatest champion in Empire Wrestling history.
Scott Parker: I think Daniel Daemon would argue as he’s looking to become the first ever two-time EW World Champion as he takes on Lacy Nelson. Daemon has said that he’s going it alone tonight, no Kingsmen, but we shall see if he holds true to his word. Lacy Nelson is going to have an uphill battle against the big man. It’s the might of the Emperor versus the Superkick of the Champion.
Gemma Foster: The only other news we have before the show kicks off is that due to travel restrictions, Zoey Mathews-Mitchell will not be here to defend the Extreme Championship tonight and that match has been postponed.
Scott Parker: We’re kicking the night off with the Tag Team Championships on the line!
Josh Cherry and Harvey Carbine stepped out onto the stage in brand new EMBLEM shirts. The two bumped fists and the fived before pointing to the ring. They walked down to the ring and jumped onto the apron before climbing in and posing on the ropes.
Gemma Foster: The longest reigning Tag Team Champions looking to regain the belts tonight. I got to tell you, Josh Cherry is looking incredible. It’s got to be keto or something.
Dave Blazenwing was the first out to the stage for the Old Guard with his long trench coat covering his title. Luke Mathews stepped out from behind the curtain as his music started to play and Blazenwing flipped his hair back and opened his coat to show off the belt as Mathews held his up. The two placed the belts on their shoulders and made their way to the ring. They rolled in and were immediately attacked by Cherry and Carbine as the bell rang. Carbine had Mathews to his feet and landed a hard series of three chops to the chest before clotheslining him over the ropes. Blazenwing was battling with Cherry, trying to get the upper hand, before Cherry hit him with a forearm to the face that staggered him. Carbine grabbed Blazenwing from behind and hit him with a German suplex.
Scott Parker: Midnight Special are keeping the Old Guard off their feet and are looking to dominate this match.
Mathews was back in the ring and charged both members of Midnight Special and ducked under a double clothesline and kept running the ropes. On the return, Mathews dove and hit a double crossbody! Mathews popped up to his feet and kicked Cherry out of the ring. Carbine started to stand and he locked up right away with Mathews. Mathews hit a few quick forearms to the face and sent him into the Old Guard corner where he made the tag to Blazenwing. Blazenwing got into the ring and Mathews looked for a belly to back suplex and Blazenwing came over with a neckbreaker. Blazenwing dropped a knee on the chest of Carbine before pulling him up. Carbine looked for a school boy pin but Blazenwing rolled through and to his feet. Blazenwing looked for a spear but Carbine jumped over him and dove for a tag to Cherry. Cherry jumped into the ring and Cherry came flying off the top with Citizen Kane (Kane’s Top Rope Lariat). Cherry and Blazenwing rolled to their feet and Cherry hit Blazenwing with a sit-out spinebuster. Cherry covered and Blazenwing easily kicked out at two.
Gemma Foster: Still fight left in the champs.
Blazenwing battled to his feet with right hands and ducked a forearm smash from Cherry. Blazenwing looked for the Full Effect (Sweet Chin Music) but Cherry dodged it. Cherry hit the ropes and came back with Baba Yaga Bullet (Running Flying Reverse Elbow to the Face). Cherry got to his feet and knocked Mathews off the apron and went to a cover, getting two before Blazenwing kicked out. Cherry made the tag to Carbine and then lifted Blazenwing up and Carbine finished up the Hart Attack. Carbine went for a cover and it was broken up at two by Mathews. Cherry charged into the ring and looked for Cherry’s Jubilee (Jump Stalling Sidekick) on Mathews but he was able to sidestep it. Mathews grabbed Cherry by the throat and delivered the Chokebuster (Chokeslam lift to kneeling spinebuster). Carbine went at Mathews but Mathews grabbed him by the throat. Carbine kicked Mathews away but Blazenwing grabbed Carbine from behind. Mathews hit the ropes and hit him with the Tower of Power (Clothesline From Hell) and Blazenwing delivered a German suplex. Blazenwing bridged into a pin but was pulled off by Cherry just before three.
Gemma Foster: So close!
Cherry turned to Mathews and grabbed him, showcasing his new finisher, the Cherry Popper (Whale Hunt)! Cherry turned to Blazenwing and was lifted up and driven into the mat with a Death Valley Driver. Carbine was up and kicked Blazenwing in the gut. He started to set him up for a powerbomb and Blazenwing flipped him backwards. Carbine landed on his feet and hit the ropes. He looked for a clothesline but Blazenwing pulled him into the Firehawk Lock (Crippler Crossface)! Cherry tried to get back into the ring but Mathews had a hold on his foot and pulled him out of the ring as Carbine tapped.
Scott Parker: Luke and Dave retain!
Gemma Foster: That was a hard fought win for sure but yet again the Old Guard has the number of Midnight Special.
Blazenwing met Mathews near the bottom of the ramp and they were handed the championship belts as Cherry checked on Carbine who was sitting up now. The two teams mouthed off to each other as the champs walked up the ramp backwards.
Strange Magic
The lights suddenly go out in the warehouse.
Scott Parker: What the--
The screen flickers to life, and after a moment of static and white noise, a black and white scene opens on a dark table in the woods. Candles are spread over it, and candles also form a circle around the clearing. Large live oak trees dominate, and the hanging Spanish moss gives the scene an eerie feel.
The scene cuts to the table, which looks like some sort of an altar. Other than the candles, there is a poppet and a crude knife. A hand, delicate and adorned with jewelry, passes over the candles. The flames flicker. The hand settles over the knife.
The knife is shown, up close, cutting the fabric on the poppet. Inside, straw stuffing. When the knife cuts across the leg of the doll, another hand shoots up. The doll’s leg is violently wrenched, a snap is heard, and a twig, obviously representing a bone in the leg, is shown protruding from the cut made by the knife.
The leg is shown being sewn up, the twig “bone” still protruding. The doll is lovingly placed back on the altar. The scene fades to darkness.
Female voice: So be it.
The screen goes black, leaving the warehouse in total darkness for a moment before the lights come back on.
Gemma Foster: What does that even mean?
The match starts off with AJ absolutely not sweating Gio, the bigger man paces around the ring, cracking his knuckles and his neck. Gio rushes at Jenkynx, who simply ducks him, smirking about it. AJ taunts Deluca telling him how very little of a threat he is. Deluca responds by this time rushing past AJ and bouncing off the ropes, building up speed for a dropkick that takes Jenkynx off his feet! Gio follows up by trying to stomp Jenkynx into the mat, the bigger man just growls tanking the blows to the head and shoulders. Just to prove how much they don’t hurt, until finally AJ gets tired of it, sits up and head butts Deluca right in the gut! AJ uses this to pick the hater up, and suplex him back down to the mat! Instead of letting go, AJ picks Gip back up and shakes him around like a dog with a bone! AJ holds the bear hug for long enough for the Ref to ask if Deluca wants to call it quicks. Gio still thrashing and squirming screams an empathic NO! Aj finally ends poor Gio’s suffering, for another kind of suffering, slamming him back down into the mat again with another suplex. More shaking about, Gio helpless to do anything but kick and flail, all of which seemed to bounce off the Sinner. A third suplex! This time when Gio was hefted up, he was back body dropped by Jenkynx so hard it sent Deluca to another zip code! Deluca rolled out of the ring to gain some distance, and when Jenkynx rolled out of the ring to follow him, Gio grabbed him by the feet and made sure his head hit the apron on the way down, then dragged him over and slammed him head first into the railing! A wise move on Gio’s part!
Gemma Foster: Gio using everything he can at his disposal.
Gio stomped AJ down once again, enough to get the Sinner lifted up. The smaller Gio struggled with the bigger man a moment, before ramming him back first into the ringpost! He then side walk slammed AJ into the ground outside the ring, and scurried back into the ring at four on the ten count! Deluca left Jenkynx to writhe in pain on the outside, seeming content to win by count out if that’s what it came to. At seven on the count however, Jenkynx kipped up, Sinner reaching the bottom rope and flinging himself in the ring with authority. Gio backed up as AJ stalked across the ring, but suddenly came off the ring with a flying uppercut that dropped Jenkynx! Deluca was quick to follow up, right on Jenkynx to hit a Slingblade and go for a cover! Two count! Jenkynx kicking out so hard it sends Gio up in the air. Aj’s on his feet, and the pair start to trade strike for strike, lefts and rights. With Gio eventually losing that battle, being driven into the ropes. AJ whips Gio into the ropes, where he racks the hater up for a jumping facebuster! Instead of going for the cover, AJ stalks around Deluca, as if waiting for him to get up. Gio, smartly, plays possum, until Jenkynx comes back, where Gio hits a borderline low blow and despite a warning from the ref, takes advantage. He jumps up and brings Jenkynx back down with a DDT, then rolled up! Two count! Again, AJ powering his way out! Aj seems to have had enough of playing with Deluca, brushing aside Deluca’s attempt at a chop, instead AJ backed his opponent into a corner and hit Wicked Sins (End Of Heartache)! AJ went for the cover, and got a two count! Jenkynx growled furiously, pulling the still loopy Deluca up and took him down an empathic I’m Deadlier (Killswitch)! One! Two!! Three!!!
Scott Parker: AJ Jenkynx picking up a win in his debut here in EW.
Casey comes to the ring with a knee brace on, seemingly a precaution. Alicia enters the ring next. The two meet in the center of the ring before the bell. The referee tries to get between them as Casey is saying something to Alicia. Alicia just smirks, which causes Casey to shove her. Alicia responds with a forearm smash to Casey’s face, sending her reeling. The bell rings. Before Casey turns back around, Alicia gets in a single leg dropkick which sends Casey through the ropes to the floor. Alicia backs up, arms out, waiting for Casey to get back in the ring. Casey is quick to get back in. The two lock up, and Casey pushes Alicia back into a corner. As the referee counts, Casey lets Alicia go but unloads a solid right hand. Alicia is stunned, and the referee warns Casey but she punches Alicia again. Casey whips Alicia to the other side of the ring and charges in after her. Alicia uses her quickness to leap onto the middle rope and gets off a springboard enzuigiri on Casey. Casey staggers a bit towards the center of the ring and Alicia leaps off of the second rope again, looking for a single arm bulldog but Casey catches her and reverses it into a spinebuster. Casey takes a moment to get to her feet, limping slightly towards a corner.
Scott Parker: Casey favoring that knee still.
Gemma Foster: She may have twisted it on that last move.
Casey adjusts her knee brace as Alicia gets up. Casey sends Alicia to the ropes again and lands a powerslam. Casey pulls Alicia to her feet and goes for a Racklash (Rack attack) but Alicia fights her way out of the hold and drops Casey with a reverse DDT. Alicia then climbs up a corner again, and when Casey stands up shaking out the cobwebs, Alicia hits a Lynchpin (Diving Reverse STO). Alicia drags Casey to the center of the ring and rolls her onto her back. Alicia again climbs to the top rope and after a quick look over her shoulder, launches into a White Lightning (Moonsault). Alicia lands the move and is back to her feet. She celebrates for a moment while Casey lies on the mat. When she stops, she goes for Casey’s knee brace. The referee tries to stop her but Alicia is too hyped up. Alicia throws the brace onto the mat and grabs Casey’s leg. Casey tries to get to the ropes but Alicia quickly cinches in Tangled Web (Reverse Indian Death Lock). Casey screams in pain while Alicia mocks her. Casey inches towards the ropes, but Alicia pulls harder on the hold, and Casey taps out.
Gemma Foster: Dominating performance by Alicia tonight.
Scott Parker: Yeah, I don’t think Casey’s knee is fully ready. She didn’t have the confidence tonight that she normally has.
After the bell, Casey drags herself to the corner and Alicia picks up the knee brace. Casey holds her knee and Alicia throws the knee brace in Casey’s face and leaves the ring. A short time later Casey rolls out of the ring and limps to the back.
Around the ring stood 4 ladders, another 2 on either side of the ring, and above it all was the Victorem Briefcase. Time Bomb" by Hollywood Undead started to ring throughout the Warehouse as DISHONOR was displayed on the jumbotron and out walked Kaito Hirano. Hirano dropped to his knees and put his forehead to the steel ramp before rolling forward and up to his feet. He threw a kick and an elbow before he trotted to the ring and jumped to the apron. He leaped over the ropes and landed on his feet as he started to stretch. He stood under the briefcase and looked up and reached upwards towards it.
Gemma Foster: We saw Kaito in that special last night and this is more than just winning a briefcase for him. It’s almost, in a way, he’s here to redeem himself by whatever means necessary. Having Fenryr in this match is just icing on the cake for him.
“Hallelujah” by Panic at the Disco started to play and out jogged Marilyn Lee Cross. She smiled and posed at the top of the ramp as she looked down at Hirano.
Scott Parker: Cross is one of the newest members of the EW roster and being trained by FM Young will add an interesting wrinkle in this match as they’ll both be fighting for the same prize.
Gemma Foster: She seems to have incredible talent. I think she’s only starting to scratch the surface here in Empire Wrestling.
Cross was on the apron and slowly climbed in as Hirano backed into a corner. She moved around the ring as "Fenrir" by Fferyllt started to play and out walked the beast Fenryr Wulfsson. He flexed at the top of the ramp and rolled his head around as he cracked his neck.
Scott Parker: The strongest competitor in this match is on his way out now. Fenryr put Josh Goldstein THROUGH a ladder last year in this very match.
Fenryr looked at the ladders on the opposite sides of the ramp and then climbed up the steel steps as Help Me” by Alkaline Trio played and out walked Brighton Fischer. She removed her Grrrls neoprene mask and flipped open her jacket. She adjusted her elbow pads before making her way down the ramp.
Gemma Foster: Brighton Fischer has been able to pull off some big time wins here in Empire Wrestling but has fallen short of the World Championship twice. This might be another big win for her tonight.
Fischer rolled into the ring and tossed her jacket over the ropes and moved around the ring as it started to fill up. FM Young stepped onto the stage as "Helix" by Amaranthe started to play. She pulled her hair back into a ponytail and checked the tightness on her knee pads. She took a knee as she looked down at the ring. She gave a flex and smirked as she popped to her feet. She started to move down the ring as she took a deep, calming breath.
Scott Parker: FM Young has been talking for weeks about how important this match is to her and what winning means.
Gemma Foster: That ring is starting to fill up and it could-
As Young climbed into the ring, the match started early because Kaito Hirano ran up and kicked Fenryr with a jumping heel kick!
Gemma Foster: Here we go!
Scott Parker: Harper Blake isn’t out here yet!
Hirano shot kicks at the legs of Fenryr as everyone looked around the ring. Young and Cross quickly went to work together and had Fischer in a corner and unloaded with punches and kicks. Harper Blake rushed down the ring and slid under the ropes and jumped to her feet. She pulled Cross out of the corner and turned her around before hitting her with a jumping knee strike. Cross fell into the ropes and came back with a running palm strike. Fenryr had Hirano downed in the corner and was choking him with a boot to the throat. Fischer hit Young with a kick to the gut in the corner and was able to slip out. Fischer charged to the other side of the ring and jumped onto the back of Fenryr and hit a neckbreaker. Young and Cross backed into each other and quickly turned. They were about to square off when Blake came flying off the top rope with a double dropkick.
Gemma Foster: Action all over the ring.
Hirano was on the outside of the ring and had pulled a table out from under the ring and set it up on the side with the ramp. He started to set up a second one right beside it and then jumped onto the apron. He climbed into the ring and Fischer was there with a belly to belly slam. She jumped to her feet but was grabbed from behind by Fenryr as he hit the Gravedigger (Full Nelson Legsweep Faceplant). Fenryr got to his feet and Blake looked for a clothesline but he didn’t budge. She charged again and was slammed to the mat with a powerslam. Cross charged at Fenryr and he lifted her above his head. He was looking to throw her outside of the ring with the 9-9-9 (Gorilla Press Slam), through the tables, but Young ran over and pulled her down. Fenryr turned and he and Young had a standoff. She rocked him with a hard right hand and he just turned his head. He gave her a headbutt that caused her to take a step back.
Scott Parker: Fenryr and FM exchanging hard blows!
She stepped up and kicked him in the chest that sent him into the ropes. He came back and looked to drop her with a clothesline but she ducked it and hit the ropes. Fenryr turned around and was hit with the Man-Machine Interface (Discus Clothesline) that caused him to hit the mat. Young was fired up and Blake was there with a running forearm to the face. Blake grabbed Young and looked for a suplex but Young countered and landed on her feet. Cross hit the ropes and took Blake down with the Mary Go Round (Discus Big Boot)!
Gemma Foster: Nice tandem offense there.
Only Cross and Young were left standing in the ring and the both readied themselves. They started to circle each other and locked up.
Scott Parker: Here we go!
Cross hit a palm strike and Young came right back with a back elbow. Young looked for a lariat but Cross ducked it and hit the ropes. She looked for a crossbody but Young drove her to the mat with a powerslam. Young popped back up to her feet and Cross stumbled up. Young looked for Man-Machine Interface and Cross ducked it. Cross lifted Young up for the Do A Barrel Roll (Cartwheel Death Valley Driver) but Fenryr was back in the ring and he speared Cross!
Gemma Foster: What a spear!
Hirano had pulled a ladder into the ring and had it leaning in a corner. Hirano charged into Fenryr and a hard elbow to the face. Fenryr dropped Hirano with a scoop slam. He bent down to grab him but was hit in the back with a chair from Blake! Blake dropped the chair and spun Fenryr around and drove him head first into it with a DDT.
Scott Parker: Harper Blake trying to eliminate Fenryr from this match.
Blake stood over Fenryr for a moment but was grabbed by Young and hit with a dragon suplex. Young looked around the ring and slid out, grabbing a ladder. She slid it in and climbed inside, quickly setting it up. Before she could start to climb, however, Cross started to climb up the other side. Young pulled her off and started to climb before Cross grabbed her foot and pulled her off and caught her on her shoulders. Cross hit the Do a Barrel Roll on Young and jumped up to her feet. Cross ran to the corner and hit a Vader bomb on Young. Cross got to her feet but turned right into a cutter from Blake!
Gemma Foster: Blake is the only one standing!
Blake started to scale up the ladder, looking up on her way. Hirano started to climb up the opposite side and reached around the ladder with a hard shot to the side. He met her at the top of the ramp and tried to reach up for the briefcase but she returned a punch to the gut and then bounced his head off the top of the ladder. Fenryr was at the bottom of the ladder and started to shake it. He went to the side and pushed up the middle supports.
Scott Parker: What is Fenryr doing?
The ladder wobbled a bit and Fenryr was able to give it a push as it slowly started to tip and Blake and Hirano went falling to the outside through both tables!
Gemma Foster: Harper and Kaito just crashed and burned through those tables!
Referees checked on the two as Fenryr took a knee for a moment. He collected himself and pulled the ladder back to the center of the ring. Before he could get up the ladder, Young was there to pull him away. Fenryr grabbed Young by the throat and lifted up with the Nine Days (Two-handed Suspended Choke Hold). He held her for a few moments and then tossed her to the side as Fischer grabbed him from behind with a ripcord knee strike. This staggered Fenryr aas she jumped up with a bicycle knee strike! He stumbled and Cross came running over and hit the John Wilkes Boot (Running Yakuza Kick to the back of the head)! Fenryr dropped to the mat and Young started to climb to her feet. She had an idea as she pulled Fenryr into position and showed off her own power as she hit Fenryr with a bucklebomb into the ladder that had been set up in the corner!
Scott Parker: Young just powerbombed Fenryr into the ladder!
Fenryr was still trying to get to his feet.
Gemma Foster: And somehow he’s still moving!
Fischer came off about halfway up the ladder and hit Fenryr with the Gone Fischin’ (Diving Double Foot Stomp)! Cross started to climb up the ladder but was grabbed by Young. Cross kicked her off and kept trying to climb. Fischer started to climb up the other side before Young started to climb up behind Cross. Fischer and Cross exchanged blows and Cross slammed Fischer face first into the ladder and pushed her off and she fell to the mat. Young tried to reach over Cross and took an elbow to the face and started to lean but held on. Young slammed Cross into the ladder and hit her with a forearm to the back of the head. Young grabbed Cross and lifted her up and fell backwards as they both fell to the mat and Young hit the Heart of a Phoenix (Lumbar Check)!
Scott Parker: Oh my god! Heart of a Phoenix from the ladder!
Everyone was down as the ladder tipped over and fell. Somehow, Kaito had crawled out of the rubble of the tables and was sliding a new ladder into the ring. He couldn’t pull himself into the ring however but out ran Jason Evans.
Gemma Foster: Jason Evans is out here to help Kaito!
Evans helped Kaito get into the ring and then jumped in and started to set up the ladder for him. He pulled Hirano over to the ladder and pointed up to the case. Fischer was up and hit Evans with the ripcord knee strike. He came back at her and she caught him with the cutter! Hirano was halfway up the ladder and Fischer pulled him off and met him with a cutter! Fischer started to climb but was grabbed by the foot by Young. Fischer looked for a poisonrana but Young countered into the Human Error Processor (Assault Driver). Young pulled herself up the ladder slowly.
Gemma Foster: Could this be it!?
Young got to the top of the ladder as Cross was pulling herself into the ring as was Fenryr.
Scott Parker: She’s being surrounded!
Young hurried but couldn’t get the case off the hook. Fenryr was in and had a hand on the ladder as Young unhooked the case and the bell sounded!
Gemma Foster: FM wins!
Young leaned over the top of the ladder and looked down in disbelief for a moment before sliding down the ladder and falling to the mat. She looked around as the ring emptied and Cross and Fenryr rolled out of the ring. Young held the briefcase up and pounded the mat.
Scott Parker: FM Young is walking out of here with a championship opportunity.
Hirano and Evans looked on from the outside of the ring as Young celebrated and we got a brief commercial.
Scott Parker: The Primetime Championship is next and this one should be a hard hitting match.
“Lights Out” by POD started to play as we got AJ Adams out for the match first. Stood at the top of the ramp for a few moments and closed his eyes and soaked in the non-existent cheers that he has yet to year since his return.
Gemma Foster: I talked to AJ earlier today and he said he said he wished that he could’ve come back once fans were allowed back in the Warehouse but that he couldn’t wait. He was too eager to return but he’s gotten a lot of supportive messages on Twitter from fans.
Adams rolled in under the ropes and climbed to his feet and then the second turnbuckle. He pounded his chest and pointed out to the seats. He called for the belt around his waist and Skillet’s “Sick of It” started to play and out walked Outlaw. Outlaw made eye contact with Adams and started to pace across the stage.
Scott Parker: Outlaw and AJ Adams have a history from many, many years ago where AJ Adams eventually bested Outlaw. Outlaw sounds like he’s held onto the grudge and that’s why he came to Empire Wrestling. He wants to end AJ’s career.
Outlaw had jumped up to the ramp as we were introduced to the Primetime Champion, Ben Macbeth. He was ready to go tonight with no coat, no glasses, just his trunks and gear with the championship around his waist. He unsnapped it and held it up as both Outlaw and Adams watched on.
Gemma Foster: The greatest champion in Empire Wrestling history. You don’t have to like the man but I will argue all day that he is one of the best competitors ever to step into an EW ring.
Macbeth slowly made his way down and was now in the ring as he looked at the championship as he handed it off to the referee. The match was announced along with all the competitors. All three men stood around the ring as the bell sounded and no one moved. Outlaw charged Adams and ran into a back elbow to the face before Macbeth charged Adams and hit him with a running bicycle knee strike. Macbeth turned and hit Outlaw with a hard palm strike before hitting him with a kick to the gut. Outlaw doubled over and Macbeth caught him with a lifting knee. Adams came running over and hit Outlaw with a flipping neckbreaker. Adams got to his feet and was speared into the corner by Macbeth. Macbeth started to unload with a flurry of strikes and Adams covered up. Adams pushed him off and swung but Macbeth ducked it and grabbed him from behind. Macbeth ran him chest first into the corner and they rolled backwards and up to their feet as Macbeth kept going and hit the String Theory (Rolling German Suplex). Macbeth was up and Outlaw came flying from the apron with a springboard crossbody. Outlaw jumped to his feet and looked for a cover but barely got one as Macbeth kicked out. Outlaw speared Macbeth into the corner. He looked for a corner splash but Macbeth moved out of the way and Outlaw hit the corner hard. Macbeth took Outlaw down with a German suplex. Macbeth was fired up as he got up quickly and charged over to Adams who was up and dropped him with a running forearm. Adams rolled to his feet and Macbeth Macbeth looked for a belly to back suplex but Adams flipped backwards and landed on his feet. Adams tried to lock in Lights Out (Tazzmission) but Macbeth hit him with an elbow to the side of the head to break free. Macbeth ran for the ropes but Outlaw was there to drive him to the mat with the Lock-up (Black hole slam).
Scott Parker: Macbeth just hit the mat hard!
Macbeth rolled out of the ring as Outlaw and Adams squared off. The two met in the middle of the ring and started to wildly throw punches at each other. Adams pulled the legs out from Outlaw and jumped on him with hard punches. Adams pulled Outlaw up and quickly dropped him with a suplex. They both rolled to their feet and Adams lifted Outlaw up and dropped him with a brainbuster. Adams rolled onto Outlaw for a cover and got two as Outlaw kicked out. Adams hit Outlaw with a hard forearm and got up to his feet. Macbeth was back in the ring and hit Adams with a hard knee to the gut. Macbeth unloaded the Toil & Trouble (Combo; Knee Kicks, Spinning Back Kick, Leaping Knee, Spinning Backfist) combo on Adams. Macbeth grabbed Adams and hit him with a Back Suplex to Wheel Barrow Facebuster. Macbeth rolled onto the chest of Adams for a cover and got two before Outlaw broke it up. Macbeth was blindside with a kick to the back and then tossed into the corner. Outlaw ran and drove his knee into the gut of Macbeth and then rolled him onto the mat. Outlaw was to the top rope and came flying off and hit the It Came From Above II (Frog splash)!
Gemma Foster: Outlaw crashing down onto Macbeth!
Outlaw hooked a leg and Macbeth kicked out at two. Outlaw looked for another quick cover but Adams pulled him off right away. Adams hit Outlaw with Eat It (Fameasser) and then jumped back to his feet. He quickly pulled Macbeth up to his feet but Macbeth was ready for him with a small package for two. Both men were up quickly and Adams tackled Macbeth through the ropes and to the outside floor! Adams was up first and bounced Macbeth’s face off the announce table. Macbeth came back with a hard forearm strike to the face and then speared Adams into the apron.
Scott Parker: Adams and Macbeth with no love lost for each other.
They continued to fight at ringside as Outlaw took them both out with the Flying High (Springboard triangle plancha to the outside)!
Gemma Foster: Oh my! Outlaw risking it all and just took out both men!
Outlaw climbed to his feet and pulled Macbeth in and rolled him into the ring. Adams was starting to stand and Outlaw rolled him in as well. Outlaw started to climb into the ring but was grabbed by Adams and hit with a rope hung DDT! Adams pulled Outlaw away from the ropes and covered but Macbeth broke it up at two. Macbeth and Adams both sat on their knees and started to go back and forth with hard chops. They exchanged four chops each before climbing to their feet. Macbeth drove his elbow into the shoulder area of Adams and took him to a knee.
Scott Parker: Macbeth targeting that rotator cuff area that was injured at the beginning of the year and kept Adams out of action for five months.
Macbeth threw hard elbows into the shoulder of Adams before flipping him to the mat and quickly locking in the Inevitability (Rings of Saturn Submission). Adams screamed in pain as Macbeth yelled at him to tap. Adams tried to move towards the ropes but Outlaw broke it up. Outlaw pulled Macbeth in and quickly hit him with the Breaking the Law (Canadian Destroyer). Outlaw was slow to make the cover and Adams broke it up at the last moment and then all three men were down.
Gemma Foster: Each man is running low it looks like. All it will take is one move to end this thing.
Outlaw started to pull Adams to his feet and then sent him into the corner and Adams went up and over to the apron. Outlaw turned back to Macbeth and was rocked with the From Parts Unknown (360 Buzzsaw Kick). Outlaw dropped to a knee and Macbeth then hit him with Serious Moonlight (Lifting Single Underhook DDT). Macbeth went into a cover and was pulled off by Adams just before three. Macbeth got to his feet and took a kick to the gut which allowed Adams to drive him into the mat with the Legacy Maker (Sister Abigail). Macbeth rolled away before Adams could make a cover. Outlaw was starting to stir and Adams locked him into the Lights Out and he faded away, forcing the referee to call for the bell!
Scott Parker: AJ Adams is Primetime Champion!
Gemma Foster: He just choked Outlaw out and Macbeth is left with nothing!
Adams let go of the hold and scrambled to his feet and fell into the ropes. He grabbed the Primetime Championship and swung it up into the air. He put it on his shoulder as he fell back into the corner in a seated position. Macbeth crawled to his knees on the outside and watched on, his frustration showing on his face.
Scott Parker: The 176 day reign of Ben Macbeth as Primetime Champion has ended.
We get another shot of Macbeth as Adams celebrates.
Scott Parker: Welcome to the main event!
“Year Zero” by Ghost kicked up as the red lights started to flash around the Warehouse. Out stepped Daniel Daemon, alone, as he wasted no time on the ramp and started his way down to the ring.
Gemma Foster: Daemon is looking to become World Champion once again after his incredible 366 day reign ended back in April.
Daemon climbed up and over the top rope as he paced in the ring for a moment and then calmed and watched up at the ramp. His music ended and there was a long pause of nothing as he just watched on. He tilted his head as nothing happened for a few more moments before “Come and Get It” by I Prevail finally kicked up.
Scott Parker: I think Lacy Nelson might be playing some mind games, taking her time.
Nelson finally, slowly, stepped out onto the stage and looked down to Daemon. She opened her L2N jacket to reveal the World Championship. She pointed down to it and then took off her jacket. She tossed it, never taking her eyes off Daemon. She removed the championship and held it up as Daemon’s eyes followed it.
Gemma Foster: It was one year ago that Lacy’s journey to the World Championship started. Does it come to an end tonight?
Nelson marched her way down to the ring and jumped to the apron, climbing in. She looked down at the title once again and handed it off. The referee held it up as we had the match announced and the bell sounded. Daemon charged and looked for a big boot but Nelson dodged it quickly. She jumped onto his back and locked in a sleeper. He tried to throw her off but she held on tight. Daemon charged, back first, into the corner. Nelson let go and Daemon flipped him forward and hard to the mat. He stomped at her and she rolled out of the way, using her speed. She rolled to her feet and Daemon grabbed her by the throat and delivered a chokeslam.
Scott Parker: Chokeslam!
Daemon grabbed Nelson by the throat while on the ground and lifted her up. He looked for a second chokeslam but she spun away in the air and landed on her feet. She looked for a superkick but he swatted her away and hit a belly to back suplex. Nelson hit the mat hard and rolled out to the apron. She pulled herself up as Daemon approached her and she drove her shoulder into his gut. She reached up and grabbed Daemon by the head and dropped down, sending him throat first into the ropes. He staggered backwards and she jumped back up to the apron. She quickly climbed the turnbuckle and looked for a crossbody but he caught her midair. He walked around the ring with her in hand before hitting a fallaway slam. Daemon slowly climbed to his feet and brushed off his shoulders.
Gemma Foster: Daemon showing off his power early on in this match. He keeps this up, it won’t last much longer.
He grabbed Nelson by the hair and pulled her up as she swung at him and connected with a right hand. She jumped up and locked in a guillotine choke, trying to pull him to the mat. He used his power and stayed standing but dropped to a knee after a few moments.
Scott Parker: Lacy Nelson trying to choke Daemon out.
Daemon powered to his feet and lifted Nelson up in the air and then down with the Power of Asmodeus (Delayed vertical suplex). Both were a little slow to get to their feet but Nelson was up first. Daemon got to his knees and Nelson charged, hitting the Hollywood Split (Shining Wizard). Nelson covered and Daemon kicked out at one. Nelson hit the ropes and looked for another Hollywood Split but Daemon blocked most of it as he covered up. He got to his feet Nelson charged but he lifted her up and connected with his Ritual Disembowelment II (Gorilla Press Gutbuster). Nelson gasped for air before he rolled her into a cover but she was able to kick out at two. Nelson rolled out of the ring quickly and took a few deep breaths.
Gemma Foster: Lacy taking a literal breather here.
Daemon didn’t give her long as he went running around the ring and dropped her with a hard shoulder tackle. He pulled her up and then lifted her above his head and dropped her onto the announce table. He shouted at Parker and Foster to move as he climbed up after Nelson. He pulled Nelson up and lifted her, trying to prepare her for the Twist of Cain (Jumping spinning tombstone piledriver). Nelson slipped behind him and landed on her feet. Daemon turned around and Nelson jumped up and spiked him through the table with a DDT!
Scott Parker: DDT through the table!
The referee started his count in the ring as Nelson slowly got to her feet. She tried to pull on Daemon but could only get him to budge off the table. She stumbled and rolled into the ring, ready to accept the countout. Daemon crawled and dove into the ring at 8 to save the count. He climbed to his feet and Nelson was there to hit him with a running forearm that staggered him into the corner. She charged and hit him with a corner splash. Nelson pulled Daemon out and grabbed him by the arm.
Gemma Foster: Here we go! Headline!
Daemon countered and whipped Nelson into the ropes and hit her with the Inquisition (POWERFUL running lariat)! Daemon rolled Nelson into a cover and she kicked out at two. He almost couldn’t believe it as he looked at the referee and pulled her up. He started to lift her up again for the Twist of Cain but she rolled him up into a small package and got two before he kicked out. She popped to her feet as he got to his knees and rocked him with a superkick!
Gemma Foster: Superkick!
Nelson dropped onto Daemon and he kicked out just before three.
Scott Parker: Lacy was unable to hook the legs of Daemon and he’s able to power out.
Nelson locked in a sleeper on Daemon and he slowly climbed to his feet with her on his back. He dropped backwards and drove her hard into the mat. Both competitors were slowly getting up and he grabbed her by the throat and delivered a chokeslam. He dropped to his knees and covered her, getting two before a kickout. Daemon looked frustrated as he pulled Nelson up and drove her to the mat with a second chokeslam. He looked down at Nelson and pulled her up and held her up by her throat. He looked for a third chokeslam but she countered into a kimura lock. Daemon fell to a knee as Nelson had her back on the mat with the hold locked in. He tried to position her and the referee counted her shoulders down for two and she broke the hold to break the count. She got to her feet and stumbled back to the ropes. Daemon charged and she pulled down the ropes and he went over the top to the apron. She ran at him but ran into a big right hand. Daemon climbed into the ring and was hit by a running lifting knee! Nelson covered and got a two count as he kicked out just before three. She popped up right to her feet and roared, trying to fire herself up. Daemon started to stand and she rocked him with a superkick! He fell to the ropes, refusing to go down! He came out swinging and she hit him with another superkick! Daemon staggered but still wouldn’t fall.
Scott Parker: Daniel Daemon will not go down!
He came back towards her and grabbed her by her throat. She hit his arm away and grabbed him by the hand and then delivered the Headline (Eat Defeat). Nelson sat on Daemon, pulling his legs back to maximize her pin, and picked up the victory!
Gemma Foster: Lacy! Lacy! Lacy Nelson has just pinned Daniel Daemon in the middle of the ring!
Scott Parker: He would not go down! It took kick after kick after kick and she finally slayed the demon.
Nelson fell forward, out of energy as she was announced the winner. She crawled forward and was handed the championship that she held tight. She pulled herself up using the ropes and pulled her hair back and smiled.
Gemma Foster: I don’t think she can believe it.
Nelson celebrated in the ring as Daemon fell out of the ring after rolling out under the ropes. As Nelson celebrated, FM Young walked out onto the stage with a towel around her neck and her briefcase in hand. She put it down as Nelson looked up at the ramp to see her. The two locked eyes as Young clapped.
Scott Parker: Oh boy, Gemma. It’s starting to come full circle. Folks, that all the time we have for tonight. We’ll see you next week!
Our final shot is of Nelson holding up the World Championship with Young holding up the Victorem briefcase.