Post by fifthhorseman on Apr 14, 2018 18:12:01 GMT -5
Once more, the scene is the Lawlor Event Center in Reno, Nevada. GIW president Jeff Jarrett is standing in the middle of the ring with announcer Lance Russell. Over his shoulder, a single championship belt - the GIW King of the Ring title.
Jarrett: As you’ve witnessed over the last couple of nights, GIW features the absolute best tag-team wrestling in the world. But we also have some of the best wrestlers, period, in the world on our roster, too. So I carry with me the Global Impact Wrestling King of the Ring championship, and soon, one man will wear this belt.
I gotta admit, I originally intended for this title to be defended in one-on-one competition. But then, watching the triple-threat matches we had, it occurred to me. GIW wrestlers are used to facing two men at a time. That’s how it should be decided. And then, another thought hit me – GIW wrestlers are used to defeating two men at a time. Unfortunately, that lightning bolt of inspiration hit me right before I laid out Nigel McGuinness, and for that I do apologize, Nigel, and I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Just give me a couple more minutes to get there.
This, right here, is the King of the Ring championship. The tournament to earn this title starts tonight, and every match will be fought under three-way dance rules. If you’re gonna be the King of the Ring in my promotion, you gotta defeat two men every time out. You gotta be the last man standing. And before I show you the first-round matches – thanks, random.com – I have to inform you all that Johnny Gargano is not in the tournament. He was very mysteriously and unexpectedly beat up last night at his hotel; we don’t know who did it, but we’ll find out, I promise.
Second of all. Nigel, I owe you one. You’ll see that you name isn’t listed on the big screen, but here’s why. You can challenge any of the 27 men that are entered in the tournament, for their spot. You only have until the final first-round match to do so. What’s more, in that challenge match, you’ll have the champion’s advantage – meaning that the guy you pick has to beat you, not the other way around, in ten minutes or less.
So take your pick. Like I said, you got some time to think about it, but don’t think too hard – because we’re getting underway tonight.
The flashy NXT youngsters took it to their more experienced foes early, double-teaming Drake and keeping him in their corner. In fact, it looked like it might be a quick match until the former TNA Wrold champ dove to his side of the ring and tagged in “Mr. Wonderful”, who slowed down the pace and eventually grounded Ford. Bearhugs and full-nelsons were the old-school weapons of choice, but Ford didn’t quit, and after several minutes, Dawkins finally got involved. He unleashed on both foes, and his spinning splash almost got the three-count on Orndorff. But the wily veteran recovered, and after launching Dawkins head-first into a middle turnbuckle, Drake came in and delivered the Gravy Train for the win at 10:28.
This match was representative of three very different times and territories. Hernandez tried to form alliances with both men early on, but they decided to make a punching bag of him instead. After that, it was every man for himself, and every man got his chance to shine. “Dangan” hit a roaring elbow on Hernandez and went for the pin, but the Bulldog hit Tanaka with a DDT, then scooped him up and took him down with a running powerslam, scoring the first fall at 15:37. As he got to one knee, the “Handsome Half-Breed” dropped an elbow from the top rope on the back of his head, and got the 2.9 count. He stayed on the offense with more near-falls, but Smith fought back, and scored the win with a monkey flip at 19:53.
Classic David vs. Goliath match-up. Norton started against Chuckie T, and things didn’t go well for the “Kentucky Gentleman”. The former IWGP champion pressed him overhead and launched him across the ring, and did the same to Barreta. It seemed like it’d be a quick match, but after Henry tagged in, Barreta attacked his knee, and the Friends focused on it like a pair of surgeons. Alas, they couldn’t keep him down forever, and “Flash” took the tag, eager to inflict damage. A couple of minutes later, at 9:29, Norton hit the Flashback (inverted shouldbreaker) on Taylor for the win.
The Englander wanted to slow things down, but the two high-fliers would not let him. It was fast-paced from the opening bell, and both Uso and the “Loose Cannon” soared from the top rope multiple times. As with the previous KotR qualifier, there was a lot of action on the outside of the ring, and Barrett didn’t mind using the ringsteps, tables, and whatever else the referee would allow him to. Eventually, the tempo slowed – despite their conditioning,the match was taking its toll. After dropkicking Barrett to the floor, Pillman went upstairs and hit a perfect flying bodypress on Jimmy to eliminate him at 13:18. However, just as he got to this feet, the Brit landed a devastating Bullhammer elbow to take out Pillman – there were no rest breaks in King of the Ring matches.
Right before the referee could ring the bell, Jarrett came down to ringside, took the house mike, and said, “I don’t think any of you boys need extra motivation, but I’m gonna give you something to think about. Whoever makes the pin or the submission to get the win, can add a stipulation to their King of the Ring qualifying match. Sound good? OK, let’s go!”
The ECW dream team attacked their foes at the bell, and the pier-eight brawl was on. It looked like a battle royale, and bodies flew over the top rope – except, in this case, they were followed by the wrestler doing the throwing. Jarrett jumped into the fray himself, physically and verbally separating everybody until control was temporarily restored, and Edge and D-Von finally got it underway. What followed was a 20-minute sprint where all eight competitors got their offense in, but it ended with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 3D on Christian. Bully Ray made the pin, and crowed about his King of the Ring advantage all the way up the ramp.
The main event showcased three former World champions, in their prime and eager to wear gold again. Awesome was confident, having won his first major championship in a similar fashion, and he dominated the first few minutes of the bout. But he eventually wore down, and after Hennig floored him with a Perfectplex, Aries came off the top rope with a 450 splash. Both men crawled over onto Awesome and made the pin together just shy of eleven minutes.
Now it was time for two of the most technically proficient men in GIW to do their thing, and they put on a clinic. Though neither was, in theory, a face, their sheer talent got them over with the appreciative crowd. They went another 14 minutes, back and forth, until Hennig finally put down the “Greatest Man That Ever Lived” with another Perfectplex, and he was into the second round in a total time of 25:06.
Jarrett: As you’ve witnessed over the last couple of nights, GIW features the absolute best tag-team wrestling in the world. But we also have some of the best wrestlers, period, in the world on our roster, too. So I carry with me the Global Impact Wrestling King of the Ring championship, and soon, one man will wear this belt.
I gotta admit, I originally intended for this title to be defended in one-on-one competition. But then, watching the triple-threat matches we had, it occurred to me. GIW wrestlers are used to facing two men at a time. That’s how it should be decided. And then, another thought hit me – GIW wrestlers are used to defeating two men at a time. Unfortunately, that lightning bolt of inspiration hit me right before I laid out Nigel McGuinness, and for that I do apologize, Nigel, and I’ll make it up to you, I promise. Just give me a couple more minutes to get there.
This, right here, is the King of the Ring championship. The tournament to earn this title starts tonight, and every match will be fought under three-way dance rules. If you’re gonna be the King of the Ring in my promotion, you gotta defeat two men every time out. You gotta be the last man standing. And before I show you the first-round matches – thanks, random.com – I have to inform you all that Johnny Gargano is not in the tournament. He was very mysteriously and unexpectedly beat up last night at his hotel; we don’t know who did it, but we’ll find out, I promise.
Second of all. Nigel, I owe you one. You’ll see that you name isn’t listed on the big screen, but here’s why. You can challenge any of the 27 men that are entered in the tournament, for their spot. You only have until the final first-round match to do so. What’s more, in that challenge match, you’ll have the champion’s advantage – meaning that the guy you pick has to beat you, not the other way around, in ten minutes or less.
So take your pick. Like I said, you got some time to think about it, but don’t think too hard – because we’re getting underway tonight.
The Main Event Machine vs. the Street Profits:
The flashy NXT youngsters took it to their more experienced foes early, double-teaming Drake and keeping him in their corner. In fact, it looked like it might be a quick match until the former TNA Wrold champ dove to his side of the ring and tagged in “Mr. Wonderful”, who slowed down the pace and eventually grounded Ford. Bearhugs and full-nelsons were the old-school weapons of choice, but Ford didn’t quit, and after several minutes, Dawkins finally got involved. He unleashed on both foes, and his spinning splash almost got the three-count on Orndorff. But the wily veteran recovered, and after launching Dawkins head-first into a middle turnbuckle, Drake came in and delivered the Gravy Train for the win at 10:28.
GIW KING OF THE RING QUARTER-FINAL MATCH:
Gino Hernandez vs. Davey Boy Smith vs. Masato Tanaka
Gino Hernandez vs. Davey Boy Smith vs. Masato Tanaka
This match was representative of three very different times and territories. Hernandez tried to form alliances with both men early on, but they decided to make a punching bag of him instead. After that, it was every man for himself, and every man got his chance to shine. “Dangan” hit a roaring elbow on Hernandez and went for the pin, but the Bulldog hit Tanaka with a DDT, then scooped him up and took him down with a running powerslam, scoring the first fall at 15:37. As he got to one knee, the “Handsome Half-Breed” dropped an elbow from the top rope on the back of his head, and got the 2.9 count. He stayed on the offense with more near-falls, but Smith fought back, and scored the win with a monkey flip at 19:53.
Best Friends vs. the Hall of Pain:
Classic David vs. Goliath match-up. Norton started against Chuckie T, and things didn’t go well for the “Kentucky Gentleman”. The former IWGP champion pressed him overhead and launched him across the ring, and did the same to Barreta. It seemed like it’d be a quick match, but after Henry tagged in, Barreta attacked his knee, and the Friends focused on it like a pair of surgeons. Alas, they couldn’t keep him down forever, and “Flash” took the tag, eager to inflict damage. A couple of minutes later, at 9:29, Norton hit the Flashback (inverted shouldbreaker) on Taylor for the win.
GIW KING OF THE RING QUARTER-FINAL MATCH:
Wade Barrett vs. Brian Pillman vs. Jimmy Uso
Wade Barrett vs. Brian Pillman vs. Jimmy Uso
The Englander wanted to slow things down, but the two high-fliers would not let him. It was fast-paced from the opening bell, and both Uso and the “Loose Cannon” soared from the top rope multiple times. As with the previous KotR qualifier, there was a lot of action on the outside of the ring, and Barrett didn’t mind using the ringsteps, tables, and whatever else the referee would allow him to. Eventually, the tempo slowed – despite their conditioning,the match was taking its toll. After dropkicking Barrett to the floor, Pillman went upstairs and hit a perfect flying bodypress on Jimmy to eliminate him at 13:18. However, just as he got to this feet, the Brit landed a devastating Bullhammer elbow to take out Pillman – there were no rest breaks in King of the Ring matches.
The Dudley Boyz/The Eliminators vs. Edge and Christian/Terry Gordy and Barry Windham:
Right before the referee could ring the bell, Jarrett came down to ringside, took the house mike, and said, “I don’t think any of you boys need extra motivation, but I’m gonna give you something to think about. Whoever makes the pin or the submission to get the win, can add a stipulation to their King of the Ring qualifying match. Sound good? OK, let’s go!”
The ECW dream team attacked their foes at the bell, and the pier-eight brawl was on. It looked like a battle royale, and bodies flew over the top rope – except, in this case, they were followed by the wrestler doing the throwing. Jarrett jumped into the fray himself, physically and verbally separating everybody until control was temporarily restored, and Edge and D-Von finally got it underway. What followed was a 20-minute sprint where all eight competitors got their offense in, but it ended with a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it 3D on Christian. Bully Ray made the pin, and crowed about his King of the Ring advantage all the way up the ramp.
GIW KING OF THE RING QUARTER-FINAL MATCH:
Austin Aries vs. Mike Awesome vs. Curt Hennig
Austin Aries vs. Mike Awesome vs. Curt Hennig
The main event showcased three former World champions, in their prime and eager to wear gold again. Awesome was confident, having won his first major championship in a similar fashion, and he dominated the first few minutes of the bout. But he eventually wore down, and after Hennig floored him with a Perfectplex, Aries came off the top rope with a 450 splash. Both men crawled over onto Awesome and made the pin together just shy of eleven minutes.
Now it was time for two of the most technically proficient men in GIW to do their thing, and they put on a clinic. Though neither was, in theory, a face, their sheer talent got them over with the appreciative crowd. They went another 14 minutes, back and forth, until Hennig finally put down the “Greatest Man That Ever Lived” with another Perfectplex, and he was into the second round in a total time of 25:06.