#52: September 4, 2020

Scott Parker: Welcome to Empire Wrestling’s Hype! Can you hear those fans, Gemma?

Gemma Foster: I sure can, Scott.

Scott Parker: We have close to 150 fans here tonight! All masked up, in small groups of people, and they’re in for a great show. Tonight we find out who will challenge FM Young for the World Championship at Next Level: Ascension. Will it be Lacy Nelson, Ben Macbeth, or Dave Blazenwing?

Lacy Nelson: It’s going to be a great match! The New Hotness, The Tomorrow Man, and L2N all gunning for the championship opportunity.

Marilyn Lee Cross Vs. Austin Scott

There was a scattering of cheers as Marilyn Lee Cross stepped out onto the stage as she gave them a wave.

Scott Parker: The fans are in for a treat for the first match tonight. Marilyn Lee Cross has been a great addition to the Empire Wrestling roster and is looking for a win over the former Extreme Champion.

Cross made her way down to the ring and jumped up on the apron. She climbed inside and ran the ropes before jumping onto a second turnbuckle and pointed out to the fans. She turned her attention to the stage as Austin Scott made his way out next. The fans gave him a round of boos as he tossed his cowboy hat off the stage and made his way down the ring. He climbed up the steps and got into the ring as he quickly circled Cross, ready to get the match going. The bell rang as the fans gave a cheer for the first match to start. Cross and Scott locked up and she came right out with a palm strike to his chest but Scott stepped right up to her with a knee to her gut. He tossed her into the corner and lifted her to the top rope on her butt. She kicked him in the chest which sent him backwards. She jumped off the second turnbuckle and hit him with a hurricanrana. Both competitors rolled to their feet and Scott dropped Cross to the mat with a vicious spinning back elbow that connected to the side of her head. Scott stomped on Cross as she started to crawl to the ropes and the referee forced Scott to break. Cross got to her feet and Scott clotheslined her over top as she landed on the apron.

Scott Parker: Austin Scott is trying to come with these hard blows to wear down Marilyn.

Scott tried to grab Cross and she caught him with a forearm to the face. She climbed into the ring and hit the ropes and connected with a superman forearm. Scott got back to his feet and Cross connected with her Mary Go Round (Discus Big Boot). She looked for a cover and got two before Scott kicked out. Scott slowly climbed to his feet and Cross looked for Catch Your Breath (Striking Spear) but Scott caught her with a kick to the chest. Scott grabbed Cross and delivered Full Throttle (Inverted Overdrive). Scott rolled Cross over into a pin attempt and she kicked out at two to the cheers of fans.

Gemma Foster: Cross with more to give here tonight.

Scott grabbed Cross by her hand and pulled her to her knees and then to her feet. He settled into position and delivered a German suplex. Cross stumbled up to her feet and Scott started to lift Cross up for a stalling backbreaker but Cross was able to flip backwards onto her feet. She connected with a palm strike and took Scott down to his feet with a basement dropkick. Cross kipped up to her feet and hit the ropes and came back with Knee Harvey Oswald (Running Knee to the side of an opponent's head). Cross was pumped up and started to pull Scott up. She looked for her John Wilkes Boot (Running Yakuza Kick to the back of the head) but Scott had it scouted and ducked it. She was turned around and lifted onto Scott’s shoulder. He drove her back first into the corner and drove her to the mat with the Booze Cruisin' (Oklahoma Slam). Scott covered and Scott kicked out at two. Scott grabbed Cross by the hair and pulled her up. He called for the Ace in the Hole but Cross caught him with a chop to the chest. She pushed Cross away and then caught him with Catch Your Breath! She popped up and Scott started to stumble to his feet and Cross hit John Wilkes Boot and covered for a win as the crowd cheered.

WINNER: Marilyn Lee Cross

Cross celebrated on the ropes as the fans gave her a scattering of cheers.

Scott Parker: What a match to kick things off tonight!

Scott started to get to his feet and Cross rolled out of the ring.

Strawberries

The sound of an elephant trumpeting precedes the sitar sounding guitar as “Shanti Shanti Shanti” by Babymetal begins. As the song kicks up, the woman known as Noavrra strides out onto the stage, bumping her hips to the quick beat. She turns around, popping her hips towards the ring a few times with a cheeky grin on her face. Her attire is a full black bodysuit with a red trim around window panels at the thighs and lower back of her suit. She then turns back around, sensually jamming to the music as she approaches the ring. She stops right at the apron, then hoists herself up to sit on the apron. She poses with her left arm bent like an elephant’s trunk and her head slightly back. She then rolls under the bottom rope, and crawls on all fours towards the nearest corner. She lays on her stomach, propping her chin up under her hands as she looks on. A microphone is slid to her and she slowly grasps at it before tossing her hair to the left and drawing it close to her face.

Noavrra: Shanti Shanti to you all. I have arrived, Empire Wrestling.

Noavrra’s voice drips with nutmeg and honey, a warm and sweet sound amplified by the microphone.

Noavrra: I only thought it wise to come out here and introduce myself. You can call me The Elephant of Saraswati, you can call me the YEET machine, or you can call me Artemis’ hedonistic monster. I’m keen to answer to any of those names. But the name you will be hearing a lot more around here is Noavrra. That’s Noh-Ave-Rah, phonetically. I urge you to remember it, please. As I plan to have you hear it after the words “Here is your winner” a lot around here. And it starts tonight with...Josh.

She sinks her top teeth lightly into her bottom lip, letting them drag across until they no longer have a grip.

Noavrra: Josh...darling. Please know that none of this is personal. After Revival wrestling closed, I felt an emptiness manifest within me. An emptiness that I tried filling with many things. But ultimately, I realized that it was being here.

She taps the mat with the index finger of her free hand, before rolling onto her back. The soles of her boots plant on the mat as well, bending her legs at an angle.

Noavrra: Being in this ring, doing only what I can was the thing that would make that hole...full.

She rolls back over onto her tummy, kicking her legs back and forth.

Noavrra: But if I was going to step back into this ring, it would be the right way. So I went and found the best trainer willing to take me in. I upped my game. I became something more than what I was. And what is that, you might be asking?

A coy smile dances on her face.

Noavrra: I plan to give you a taste tonight.

She stops kicking her feet, resting the heels on her ample backside.

Noavrra: Josh, babe...I’m gonna toss you from one corner of this ring from the other. I’m going to slam you repeatedly...into the mat. I’m going to make you catch your death between these thighs...and I’m going to be in ecstasy every single moment of it. So make sure that you really want to step in this ring with me tonight. Be extra sure. Because I’ve been starving for this, and you aren’t leaving this ring with a victory.

She takes a satisfied breath, then shoots a doting look up towards the nearest camera.

Noavrra: Josh, darling...just remember. When you’re finally ready for me to stop having my fun...Your safeword is strawberries, okay?

She sets the microphone down and slides it out onto the apron before pushing herself up to her full height and relaxing back into the turnbuckles.

Noavrra Vs. Josh Williams w/ Jack Williams

With Noavrra already in the ring, Josh and Jack Williams jogged out to the stage. They posed at the top of the ramp and started to make their way to the ring. They both climbed inside the ring and showed off to the crowd. Josh turned as the bell rang and Novarra was ready. He charged and jumped at her but she caught him with a catch uranage. She jumped up and hit Williams with a leg drop across the chest. She rolled up to her feet and Josh staggered up and caught her with a forearm to the face. He hit a second forearm and then tried to send her into the ropes but Noavrra countered and Williams went into the corner. Noavrra charged and hit Williams with her Stampede ( 3 repeated running Meteora knee strikes to a cornered opponent). Williams fell to a seated position and this allowed Noavrra to put him in the Dream chamber (Noavrra uses her hips/butt to suffocate the opponent in the corner). Williams was tapping on her leg but the referee wouldn’t allow it as he was in the corner and he forced a five count break.

Gemma Foster: Empire Wrestling adding another strong, dominant woman to the roster with the addition of Noavrra.

Jack Williams jumped onto the apron and Noavrra caught him with a back roundhouse kick that sent him down to the floor. Josh was back to his feet and hit her with a clothesline that staggered her. He looked for a discus lariat but Noavrra blocked it with her arms up. She came right back with a chop to the chest and then a kick to the gut. Noavrra hit a pinning powerbomb and Josh kicked out at two and she went right into the Mastodon Special (Pinning powerbomb into Boston crab submission upon a kick out from the opponent). She sat down on his back and Josh had no choice but to tap out.

WINNER: Noavrra

Scott Parker: Noavrra with an impressive debut here tonight, Gemma!

Noavrra got a scattering of cheers as she smiled and gave a small wave to the crowd before leaving.

Strange Magic Part V

The lights suddenly go out in the warehouse.

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. Three catfish heads hang on a chain from a tree, the same tree where a goat is tied to the trunk. The goat bleats once, and is startled when behind the altar, a figure, wearing a black hooded robe, slowly rises to its feet. It’s a slim figure, but it is apparent that it is the one from previous clips because of the jewelry on her hands. She crawls over the altar, knocking over and extinguishing candles as she does. She stands, approaching the camera slowly. Her face cannot be seen. She’s saying something, and the closer she gets to the camera the clearer it becomes.

Female Voice: The last shall be first. The last shall be first.

Closer.

Female Voice: The last shall be first. The last shall be first.

Closer. There is nothing in the clip now but the hood of her cloak.

Female Voice: The last shall be first.

There is a deafening roar of thunder overhead as the warehouse is cast back into darkness.

Female Voice: So be it.


Take the pledge

Summer Page w/ Angel Kash Vs. Harper Blake w/ Kayla Taylor

The fans in attendance gave a small cheer for Harper Blake and Kayla Taylor as they stepped out onto the stage for the next match. Taylor was behind Blake, hyping her up as they walked down the ramp. They both climbed into the ring and started to chat as the Social Elite started to make their way to the stage with a logo for them flashing on the jumbotron.



Kash and Page smiled as they stood back to back. They were introduced by Kim Roberts as they walked down to the ring. They forced the referee to hold the ropes open for them as they climbed into the ring. Page and Blake were left in the ring as their partners left and got out onto the floor. The two got in each other’s face as Page scoffed and pushed her hand into Blake’s face. Blake came back with a hard knife chop to the chest. Page came back with a chop of her own and then pulled Blake into a headlock. Blake pushed Page off and sent her into the ropes and caught her with a spinebuster on the return. Blake covered and Page kicked out at one. Page got to her feet and jumped up with a spiking DDT. Page rolled over onto Blake and covered for a one count of her own. Page pulled Blake up to her feet and had her set up for a suplex and connected. Page rolled Blake up to her feet and then slipped behind her for a snap German suplex. Page bridged into a pin attempt and got two before Blake kicked out. Blake popped up to her feet and was hit with a lariat. Blake jumped up and hit Page with a dropkick. Blake got to her feet and Page was right behind her and Blake charged and looked for a takedown but Page countered into a wheelbarrow position. Blake flipped Page around with the CMS (Quasedora Flipping Facebuster)! Blake rolled Page over for a pin and got two before Page just kicked out.

Gemma Foster: A close two there for Harper. Summer just kicked out in time.

The fans were getting behind Blake as she was feeling the momentum. Kash slid a chair into the ring and then jumped up onto the apron and distracted the referee. Taylor pulled Kash off the apron and the two started to brawl as the referee watched on. Page hit Blake in the gut with the chair and then hit her with the Pure Perfection (Perfectplex) onto the chair. She tossed the chair under the ropes and dove onto Blake. She covered and the referee turned and made the count for three.

WINNER: Summer Page

Scott Parker: Oh come on. Angel Kash just assisted Summer Page with the win here tonight.

Gemma Foster: The Social Elite are willing to do whatever it takes to climb the ranks here in Empire Wrestling.

Page and Kash met at the bottom of the ramp and laughed as they backed away. Taylor checked on Blake who was sitting up now and was fired up.

Daniel Daemon Vs. Fenryr Wulfsson

Scott Parker: This one is going to be a hard hitting brawl with huge implications for Fenryr if he can win tonight.

Gemma Foster: If Fenryr can pick up a victory tonight he’ll face Daniel Daemon once again at Next Level: Ascension but the Primetime Championship will be on the line in that one.

Fenryr and Rune stepped out onto the stage first as the fans gave him a small boo. Fenryr ripped off his shirt before making his way down to the ring. Fenryr climbed into the ring and Rune walked around the ring and clapped for Fenryr as he was announced. The lights went red as “Square Hammer” by Ghost played and out walked the Primetime Champion, Daniel Daemon. He had the title over his shoulder as he stood at the top of the ramp and looked down to Fenryr.

Scott Parker: The Emperor carrying that Primetime Title with pride as one of only two people to be both World and Primetime Champion.

Daemon pulled himself onto the apron and climbed over the top rope to enter the ring. He showed off the Primetime Title to the fans who booed him. He handed the belt off as the lights returned to normal and the match was about to begin. The two men stepped to the center of the ring and went toe to toe. Fenryr landed the first blow with a hard right hand and then a left. Daemon came back with two hard rights of his own. Fenryr tried to send Daemon into the ropes but Daemon countered and sent Fenryr into the ropes and caught him with a big boot to the face. Fenryr got to his feet and Daemon dropped him with a scoop slam. Daemon looked for an elbow drop but Fenryr was able to roll out of the way and get to his feet. Fenryr speared Daemon into the corner and started to drive his shoulder into the gut of Daemon. 1, 2, 3, 4 times. Fenryr looked for another but Daemon caught him with a lifting kick to the face. Fenryr staggered out of the corner and was taken down with a backdrop.

Gemma Foster: There’s nothing pretty about this one, Scott. These two are just beating on each other.

Daemon pulled Fenryr to his feet and hit another scoop slam. Fenryr started to get to his feet and Daemon wanted to hit the Inquisition (POWERFUL running lariat) but Fenryr countered with a spear. Fenryr hit the Gravedigger (Full Nelson Legsweep Faceplant) and quickly pulled Daemon up and locked in Tyr's Hand (Iron Claw). Daemon fell to a knee for a few moments before standing back up and he grabbed Fenryr by the throat. Daemon kicked Fenryr in the gut and then delivered a big chokeslam! Fenryr climbed up to his feet and hit Daemon with a right hand before Daemon hit him with a headbutt. Fenryr tried to run the ropes but walked right into Daemon grabbing him by the throat. Daemon hit a second chokeslam. Daemon roared as Rune paced around the ring. Daemon pulled Fenryr up to his feet but was kicked in the gut. Fenryr started to set up for the Hel Road (Double Underhook Powerbomb) but Daemon backdropped him. Fenryr got to his feet and Daemon connected with the Inquisition! Daemon pulled Fenryr up and lifted him, delivering the Twist of Cain II (Vertical Suplex Piledriver) for good measure and covered to pick up a win.

WINNER: Daniel Daemon

The fans booed as Daemon got up to his feet, standing over Fenryr. The referee handed him the Primetime Title and he held it up.

Gemma Foster: Daemon takes care of Fenryr tonight and will wait to find out who he’ll face at Next Level: Ascension.

Fenryr rolled out of the ring as Rune bent down to check on him and we cut away.


Honor the past… Embrace the future.

No Stopping

We come back from the commercial and we’re backstage with Lacy Nelson standing in front of the camera ready to talk.

Lacy Nelson: This is that cliche talk about how tonight's one of the biggest matches of my career but it is. Sure, I’ve been World Champion in my short career and it’s hard to top that match but tonight is just as important. Tonight I’m going against one Hall of Famer and one that, I have no doubt, will be. Dave Blazenwing and Ben Macbeth are gunning for the World Title like myself. Only one of us will go on to Next Level: Ascension to face FM Young and I need that to be me. I need to win this match more than either of them do. I want this match more than either of them do. There is no stopping me.

Nelson licks her lips and takes a deep breath.

Lacy Nelson: The New Hotness? It’s not your night. Sorry, Dave. Tomorrow Man? I know you're dangerous but, yes with the Shakespeare reference but I’ll be Lord Macduff. You’re the tomorrow man, I’m the tonight girl. Tonight I’ll write the headline.

Lacy walks off screen to go finish getting ready.



When the screen comes back to normal the lights in the area that Lacy was just in have gone out but the lights nearby illuminate just enough to show someone standing in the shadows as we cut away.

Casey Grey & Karli Frost Vs. FM Young & Alicia Monroe

The fans boo as Casey Grey and Karli Frost come out to the stage together. Grey scoffs and shakes her head, shouting at them as she and Karli made their way to the ring. Grey pretended as if she was going to toss someone her hat and a wristband but then laughed as she just dropped them into the corner. The booing quickly became cheers as Alicia Monroe came out to the stage. She stretched and waited for her partner to come out. The biggest pop of the night so far came when FM Young came out to the stage with the World Title around her waist. She was fired up and pointed out to the fans. She and Monroe made their way to the ring and posed once inside. Young showed off the World Title to cheers as she and Monroe then talked before the match started.

Scott Parker: There isn’t a single drop of love lost in this ring. I think the only people that care about each other in the least are Alicia and FM Young.

Gemma Foster: You’re right. Alicia told me personally that she was surprised that FM Young agreed to be associated with her at all. Karli and Young have a long history of dislike, and Casey just doesn’t like anyone.

Scott Parker: That said, Gemma, Karli and Casey are the only ones that have actually teamed up together, and Casey could use that to her advantage in this match.

Gemma Foster: True. We’ll have to see how it plays out. I will say this. Alicia has been in a much better mood herself lately. Whether that’s something in her professional or personal life remains to be seen. I think it’s the return of Starbucks pumpkin spice latte.

A beat.

Gemma Foster: Okay, you guys didn’t see it but Scott just gave me the most evil look I’ve ever seen.

Karli and Alicia are set to start off the match and as they move towards each other Karli gets in a quick kick to Alicia’s gut. Alicia doubles over allowing Karli to hit a snap suplex. Karli is faster to her feet and Alicia is greeted with a dropkick from Karli when she stands. Karli wastes no time and tags in Casey. Alicia stands up again into a spinebuster from Casey. Casey hits the opposite ropes and lands a lariat takedown on Alicia. Casey looks to end things early with the Bitch Muzzle (Crossface Submission Hold) but Alicia is able to roll away and outside of the ring. Casey watches Alicia, and Alicia watches Casey, but as she does Karli comes flying in off of the top rope to hit Alicia with the AMRAAM (Missile Dropkick) off of the top rope to the outside of the ring! Alicia is slumped against the guardrail, and Karli looks hurt as well.

Scott Parker: Oh my god, Karli could have just died!

Casey climbs through the ropes to the outside of the ring. She helps Karli up and makes sure she’s okay.

Gemma Foster: And Casey is helping her up. Karli looks okay, but now Alicia is in serious trouble!

Casey grabs Alicia by the hair and picks her up, throwing her back into the ring.

Gemma Foster: What?

Scott Parker: What?

Gemma Foster: Casey usually uses everything outside the ring to hurt her opponents. The only thing she hasn’t used is one of the fans, and with them back in the warehouse I thought for sure she wouldn’t pass up the opportunity.

Scott Parker: Alicia getting off light here, despite Karli’s suicidal tendencies.

Alicia struggles back to her feet but gets taken out with a sitout facebuster from Casey. A pin attempt from Casey results in a two count. Casey tags in Karli, and after a double Irish Whip lands a double flapjack on Alicia. Karli scoops up Alicia and drapes her across the second ropes in the corner, then jumps in the air for a double knee gutbuster. Karli pulls Alicia into a DDT, and then while Alicia is down, Karli climbs through the ropes and lands a springboard leg drop. Casey, however, has tagged herself in mid-move from Karli. Karli doesn’t look happy, but exits the ring. Alicia is hit with a vertical suplex, then an Irish Whip. Alicia musters all her strength and awareness and hops onto the second rope, then clocks Casey hard with a springboard Enzuigiri. Casey and Alicia are both down.

FM Young is in the corner, stomping on the mat and bringing the crowd to their feet to help Alicia. Alicia slowly pulls herself to her feet, reaching for Young. Young is stretched out as far as she can go, and as Casey moves to grab Alicia, Alicia makes a jump for a hot tag to FM Young! The warehouse explodes as FM Young hops over the top rope into the ring, then charges Casey and hits a clothesline. She follows through, delivering a forearm smash to Karli that sends her off of the apron and to the floor. Young turns around in time to hit Casey with a second clothesline. FM Young stalks Casey as she gets to her feet, and Casey turns around to find Young but finds a dropkick instead. FM Young circles around again, hitting an unsuspecting, or at least apparently confused, Casey with a jumping cutter. FM Young screams and circles the ring to the adoration of the fans. Casey is slow to her feet and looking for a tag but Karli still hasn’t made it back up to the corner yet. Casey turns around to continue the match and Young meets her with a spear! Casey is down in the center of the ring. FM Young goes for the pin, but before the referee can begin the count Karli grabs her by the ankle and pulls her to the outside of the ring. Young and Frost brawl outside of the ring, throwing fists at each other. The pair move around the ring as the referee begins his count. While the referee is counting, Alicia climbs to the top rope and lands White Lightning (Moonsault) on Casey. She runs towards the side of the ring where Young and Frost are brawling and dives over the top rope with a suicide dive onto Karli, and they both topple to the floor. FM Young re-enters the ring and wastes no time in hitting Casey with the Heart of a Phoenix (Lumbar Check) and covering for the pinfall win!

WINNERS: FM Young and Alicia Monroe

Young and Monroe hug in the ring as they were announced as the winners. Grey rolled out of the ring as she and Frost walked away, angry.


Ursula Von Rossbach Vs. Kaito Hirano

When we come back from the commercial, Kaito Hirano is already in the ring with Jason Evans ringside. He’s introduced to some boos as he rolls his shoulders.

Gemma Foster: Kaito wasn’t cleared to be in the building last week as he suffered a minor shoulder injury a couple weeks back. Kaito has a history of a bad shoulder which Ursula could use to her advantage tonight.

There were some cheers as Von Rossbach stepped onto the stage. She smiled as she took in the Empire Wrestling fans for the first time. She made her way to the ring quickly, ready to compete tonight. Von Rossbach climbed into the ring and stood in a corner for a moment with a few stretches. Hirano met her in the middle of the ring and caught her with a hard kick to the thigh and backed away.

Scott Parker: Kaito knows he needs to strike quickly and keep distance from Ursula. He stepped in for another kick but she was able to grab his foot and he quickly connected with an enziguri but she didn’t let go of his leg. She swung him around two times before letting go as he rolled into the corner and then to his feet. She started to charge him in the corner and he ran at her, meeting her with a jumping knee strike. Hirano grabbed Von Rossbach by the arm and wanted to take her down with a crossarm neckbreaker but she pulled him in with a vicious lariat. He got to his feet and she locked in a full nelson before slamming him to the mat with a ton of force. She looked to stomp on his shoulder but he rolled away quickly. Hirano got to his feet and charged, flipping around Von Rossback with a tilt-a-whirl headscissors that flipped her to her back. She started to get up and Hirano came charging and delivered his Yoi Yume O [Sweet Dreams] (Running Knee to knelt opponent). Hirano covered and almost got two as Von Rossback kicked out.

Gemma Foster: Ursula almost shrugging that knee to her head off like it was nothing.

Von Rossbach climbed to her feet and landed a hard chop to the chest of Hirano. She lifted him up and dropped him on the mat with a gorilla press drop. Hirano got to his feet and looked for a backfist that Von Rossbach was able to counter with the Sambo Russian Legsweep (Often as a counter to a backhand or missed strike, Ursula catches the arm, forearms her opponent's face, then grips their shoulder, kicks their leg out, and hurls them to the canvas while both twisting their wrist painfully and driving a knee to their chest). She quickly rolled him into the Great Lock (Steep angled wrenching Full Nelson Camel Clutch) and Hirano was forced to tap to avoid damage to his shoulder.

WINNER: Ursula Von Rossbach

Gemma Foster: Smart of Kaito to tap after still recovering from that shoulder injury.

Von Rossbach had her hand raised as she was announced the victor to some cheers. Her mood quickly changed as "Shipping up to Boston" by Goddesses of Bagpipes fills the Warehouse as out steps a fully ring geared Molly Hatchet. Ursula's gaze immediately finds purchase upon her old rival standing there with a microphone in hand. The crowd give Hatchet a cheer as she stands there, eyeballing her prize with a fierce stare.

Molly: I told ye' I'd not miss out on tha' first night of fans bein' back and now I'm gonna' do somethin' rather reckless and irresponsible. I'm pickin' another fight with you, Ursula. I AM FAWKIN' WORTHAE!!!!

She then bursts down the ramp. Ursula’s roar echoes.

Von Rossbach: SO BE IT!!!

Scott Parker: Here we go!

As Kaito rolls out of the ring, Molly slides under the ropes and immediately ducks beneath the grappling arms of Ursula Von Rossbach, hopping up and cracking her across her face with a Whiskey Bomb. Ursula barely budges, her hand going for Molly's throat. The Ginger Ninja grips her wrist just before she can grab her neck, instead turning it into a hanging armbar! Ursula effortlessly lifts her up and just as it seems she's going to slam her head to the canvas, Molly moves and slinks up the arm to straddle Ursula's shoulders! She peppers several punches to the top of her head before backflipping off of Ursula to land on the canvas with a tuck and roll into the ropes. Backing right into them and snapping off. Ursula turns right into THE SPIRAL DROPKICK!!!

Gemma Foster: She’s not going down!

Ursula staggers back but does not fall. Molly kips to her feet only to end up back flipping to avoid THE GREAT KICK! She lands several feet away, crouched and ready to pounce. Ursula stares back at her with building anger. Molly shoots back with a wicked grin and a twinkle of mischief in her eye. Von Rossbach's face suddenly becomes stone as she backs into the ropes, hooks her arms, and flips out of the ring to land on her feet. The crowd starts booing as Ursula turns and walks away. Molly is off in a flash, bursting towards the ropes with a high flying suicide dive, catching Ursula's head and using her body weight to bring the big woman down, slamming her face right on the floor with a Suicide Facebuster! Molly tucks and rolls on landing, crouching low at the base of the ramp and putting herself between Ursula and the backstage area. Von Rossbach pushes up with a glowering scowl upon her face.

Molly: Aye, get mad! LET'S FIGHT!!! COME ON THEN!!!

Once more, Ursula takes a deep breath and shakes her head. Molly's smile fades as she scowls back at her foe and she bellows once more.

Molly: SMITE ME O' MIGHTY SMITER!!! THE FAWK IS WRONG WITH YE?!!!

Von Rossbach: STOP IT YOU INSIPID LITTLE BITCH!!!! GROW UP!!!

Ursula then charges at Molly with such speed that even she is surprised. The Lady Terminator hits her with enough force that Molly is sent flying back, landing ribs first on a guard rail and falling over, clutching at her side. She watches as Von Rossbach then strides away from her, much to the dismay of the fans. What nobody but the most eagle eyed observer notices, however, is moisture being wiped from Ursula's eye as she disappears into the back.

Gemma Foster: These two are still on a collision course and it’s just a matter of time.

Trust Issues

The scene opens up on Karli and Casey standing in the back near the locker rooms.

Karli Frost: What the hell was all of that out there, Casey? Why did you tag yourself in on me? We can’t keep teaming up if you’re not going to follow basic strategy.

Casey Grey: Nothing. Let’s just…let it go and come back at it next week.

Karli Frost: No. I need to know. What in the world is going on?

Casey Grey: Look, Karli. I’m going to have to ask you to do something that I know you haven’t been able to do for a long time, okay? I need you to trust me. Nothing is wrong. We are going to deal with our enemies. This is…a minor setback.

Karli Frost: Damn it, Casey. Trusting you feels like I’m being hung out to dry. If you stab me in the back I swear to any god that’s listening I will break parts of you and record the snapping sounds your bones make as a ringtone for my phone.

Casey Grey: I’m not—

Karli Frost: Save it. You’ve been warned.

Karli walks away from Casey, slamming her shoulder into her as she does so. Casey watches after her, then shakes her head, looking at the ground with her hands on her hips.



Scott Parker: Well ladies and gentlemen we’ve come to our main event. The winner will face FM Young at Next Level: Ascension two weeks from tonight.

The crowd roars and comes to life as the New Hotness, Dave Blazenwing, comes running out to the stage. He’s fired up to be in front of the fans and points out to them. He jumps up and down and heads to the ring.

Gemma Foster: You know Dave is excited to be here tonight. I know he isn’t running things but first the BWF comes back and now he’s on the verge of competing for the Empire Wrestling World Title? Could be a great week for the Blazenwing name.

Blazenwing rolled into the ring and took off his long coat and tossed it down as he climbed onto a turnbuckle. “Come and Get It” by I Prevail started to play and those cheers continued as Lacy Nelson stepped out behind the curtain. She had a huge smile on her face as they cheered her on and she took a deep breath, trying to focus. She looked down to Blazenwing and looked over the top of her sunglasses. She opened her L2N leather jacket and started to make her way down to the ring.

Scott Parker: The crowd giving Lacy support here tonight as they unfortunately missed her reign as World Champion due to COVID-19 but they’re giving her the cheers she deserves tonight.

Nelson took her jacket off as the cheers became mixed, mainly boos, as Ben Macbeth came out next. He looked around and even carried the old EW Heavyweight Championship out to the stage with him. He walked over to the side of the stage and put the title down before turning back and making his way to the ring.

Gemma Foster: Ben Macbeth carrying around that old Heavyweight Title that he once held and technically never lost. He’s using it now as a prop, using it to prove a point.

Scott Parker: The uncrowned champion.

Gemma Foster: He told me that he didn’t go after the title right away because he WANTED the Primetime Title to bring importance to it and now that he has, he’s ready to reclaim his prize.

Macbeth was in the ring and moved around slowly, looking at both Blazenwing and Nelson.

Scott Parker: You have to wonder what sort of alliance Lacy and Dave might have tonight as they’ve been friendly towards each other in the past.

The bell rang and the three circled each other. Blazenwing started to approach Macbeth but Macbeth hit him with a forearm. Macbeth then rushed Nelson and dropped her with a lariat. Nelson got to her feet and had to duck another lariat from Macbeth and Macbeth ran into a hip toss from Blazenwing. Macbeth rolled out of the ring and walked around for a moment. Nelson and Blazenwing met in the center of the ring and gave a quick handshake before locking up. Blazenwing slipped Nelson into a headlock but was blasted with a right hand by Macbeth. Macbeth grabbed Blazenwing and smashed him head first into the top turnbuckle. Nelson started to charge but Macbeth caught her with a back elbow to the face. Macbeth hit Blazenwing with three palm strikes before Dave hit Macbeth with a knee to the gut. Blazenwing caught Macbeth with a right hand before sending him into the ropes and then a Samoan drop on the return. Blazenwing got to his feet but Nelson grabbed him from behind and hit a belly to back suplex. Blazenwing rolled out of the ring and Macbeth was back up with Nelson. Macbeth grabbed the arm of Nelson and started to drop elbows onto her shoulder before she countered with a hip toss. He got to his knees and she charged and caught him with a dropkick that caused him to roll back and then out of the ring near the ramp with Blazenwing.

Scott Parker: These three are evenly matched to kick this thing off and they’re coming with high intensity.

Blazenwing pulled Macbeth up and the two turned to the ring as Nelson came charging with a tope suicida, taking out both men! Nelson landed on her feet and was fired up as the fans cheered her on. She pulled Macbeth up and rolled him into the ring and climbed in for a cover, barely getting two as he kicked out. Nelson was pulled out of the ring by Blazenwing and he speared her into the apron before suplexing her onto the floor. He then climbed back into the ring where Macbeth was up to his feet. The two came to blows before Blazenwing sent him into the ropes with a whip and Macbeth and caught him with a powerslam. Blazenwing climbed to the second rope and came off with a leg drop before quickly covering Macbeth, only getting two before Macbeth kicked out. Blazenwing pulled Macbeth up and looked for a suplex but Macbeth flipped around and landed behind Blazenwing. Macbeth grabbed him from behind before running him chest first into the turnbuckle and then hitting the String Theory (Rolling German Suplex). Macbeth measured up Blazenwing and hit From Parts Unknown (360 Buzzsaw Kick)! Macbeth covered and got two before Nelson broke it up.

Gemma Foster: That could’ve been three, Scott! Lacy there just in time to break it up.

Nelson pulled Macbeth to his feet and the two exchanged forearms before Macbeth sent her into a corner. Macbeth charged but ran into a boot to the face. He stumbled away and this allowed Nelson to hit him with Le Gasp (Lungblower Backbreaker). Nelson popped up to her feet as Blazenwing was starting to stand. Blazenwing approached but was kicked in the gut and Nelson started to set up for her Deadline (Tiger Driver '98) but Dave flipped her over his back near the ropes and she landed on the apron. Blazenwing turned back to Macbeth and Macbeth hit him with a bicycle knee strike to the face! Blazenwing stumbled backwards and bumped heads with Nelson and she fell to the floor below. Macbeth grabbed the arm of Blazenwing and hit him with elbows to the shoulder and neck before flipping him to the mat and locked in his Inevitability (Rings of Saturn Submission).

Scott Parker: It’s locked in tight in the center of the ring!

Blazenwing struggled but slowly pushed with his feet and was able to get a foot on the ropes to break the hold. Macbeth started to pull Blazenwing to the center of the ring but Nelson was back in. She came flying off the top rope and took out Macbeth with a crossbody. Nelson got to her feet as Macbeth was up soon after and she caught him a spear. She jumped up, fired up to the cheering of the fans.

Gemma Foster: The fans are loving the action here in this one, Scott!

Blazenwing was to his knees and Nelson came charging over and connected with the Hollywood Split (Shining Wizard). She covered Blazenwing but he kicked out at two. Macbeth grabbed Nelson and sent her over the top and she landed on the apron. She grabbed him and hung him on the top rope as she jumped down. He staggered backwards where Blazenwing locked in a crossface chickenwing! Macbeth struggled and started to get free but Blazenwing pulled him down into the Firehawk Lock (Crippler Crossface)! Blazenwing screamed at Macbeth to tap but he refused as the referee checked on him. Nelson was back in the ring and she landed on both men with a running senton. She grabbed Macbeth and delivered the Headline (Eat Defeat)! She covered and got two as Blazenwing pulled her off just in time.

Scott Parker: So close!

Blazenwing took a few steps back into a corner as Nelson looked around thinking the match was over. She got to her feet and turned right into the Full Effect (Sweet Chin Music)! Blazenwing covered Nelson and got two as she kicked out just before three. Blazenwing couldn’t believe it as he then covered Macbeth who also kicked out at two. He looked back at Nelson who was starting to stand. Blazenwing readied himself and Nelson got to her feet. She ducked another Full Effect attempt and planted her feet. She turned and rocked Blazenwing with her Superkick!

Gemma Foster: Superkick!

Blazenwing dropped to the mat and rolled to his knees as she delivered another Superkick and quickly followed up with the Headline! Blazenwing looked to be out cold. She went to go for Blazenwing but was spun around by Macbeth as he lifted her and dropped her with Serious Moonlight (Lifting Single Underhook DDT). Macbeth quickly pulled her up and hit a second Serious Moonlight and covered to pick up the win.

WINNER AND NEW #1 CONTENDER: Ben Macbeth

Macbeth sat on his knees for a moment as the crowd booed, his hand being raised in victory.

Scott Parker: Ben Macbeth is going to Next Level: Ascension, Gemma.

Macbeth climbed to his feet and fell into the ropes as he took a moment to celebrate and collect himself. He looked up at the stage and motioned for a title around his waist. He left the ring and slowly made his way up the ramp as we got shots of Blazenwing and Nelson coming to, realizing they lost.

Gemma Foster: This was an incredible match, Scott. Any of these three competitors deserve to be in the World Title match with FM Young but it’s going to be Macbeth. The unpinned man, the uncrowned champion, the Tomorrow Man.

Macbeth was on the stage and he recollected the Heavyweight Title and showed it to the camera before telling FM Young that he was coming for her World Title. Nelson sat on her knees, leaning on the second ropes, as she pulled her hair away for her face. Blazenwing patted her on the back as Macbeth celebrated to close the show.