Post by fifthhorseman on Dec 2, 2018 20:07:21 GMT -5
MLW FRIDAY NIGHT HEAT
EPISODE 15
EPISODE 15
60-second video montage recapping last week’s show, followed by title graphics and explosive pyro.
Lance Russell: “Hello, wrestling fans – this is MLW Friday Night Heat, and we are live from the USF Sun Dome in Tampa, Florida. I’m Lance Russell, and I’m joined at the broadcast table by Jeff Jarrett… and Jeff, you’ve put together four tremendous matches tonight, including two championship title defenses.”
Jarrett: “That’s right – two World championship title defenses. These athletes are at the top of the mountain here… and I do know about being at the top of that mountain.”
Russell: “Well, let’s get to the ring to kick things off with –“
The legendary announcer was interrupted by “the Drifter” himself, and he played himself to the ring with a semi-decent guitar instrumental. He was welcomed warmly by the audience, and he asked them the important question: “Do you want to walk – with – Elias?”
The crowd’s applause was cut off quickly when his foe walked through the curtain, accompanied by his 300-pound tag-team partner, and neither man was in a good mood.
ELIAS vs. NIKITA KOLOFF (w/Rusev):
vs.
The MLW Intercontinental Tag-Team champions were angry behemoths. Elias had underrated strength, and was one of the most improved wrestlers in MLW, but the “Russian Nightmare” was a dominant force. Elias tried to stick and move on his bigger foe, while Koloff constantly closed the gap and used powerful punches and other high-impact moves. His partner was a constant nuisance on the outside as well, and it was his distraction that enabled the former U.S. champ to nail Elias with his lethal sickle clothesline at 9:14 for the victory.
After the match, the Heroes of the Republic continued their assault on Elias, putting the proverbial boots to him. This continued for several seconds until they were run off by a man swinging Elias’ own guitar – the man who ran down from the broadcast table, Jeff Jarrett. He grabbed the guitar at ringside and took a swing at both Koloff and Rusev as they scrambled back up the ramp, and the staredown went into
COMMERCIAL
A video with the production values of a GoPro was aired, courtesy of the Latin American Exchange.
Hernandez: “People have been wondering why I turned on Barry Windham a few weeks ago. Look, man, I didn’t turn on him. He seems like a good dude, he’s a good wrestler, and hey, all the best. But Homicide is my brother. I didn’t know he was going to be in the audience that night, so when we got that chance to reconnect, we took it. LAX for life.”
Homicide: “You’re looking at a couple of former World tag-team champions. You’re looking at future World tag-team champions – right here. We just need one shot at the gold, and we don’t care if it’s the Horsemen, we don’t care if it’s Smith and Hart, or the Road Warriors, or Edge and Christian, or any other team that dares step foot in our ring. LAX – for life.”
The FABULOUS FREEBIRDS vs. the MAIN EVENT MACHINE:
vs.
vs.
Russell reminded the TV audience that last week, the MEM issued an open challenge to any team on the MLW roster. That challenge was accepted earlier in the day by the Freebirds, making this a rare heel-heel match. The fans were eager to see them beat the hell out of each other, and as the bell rang, Russell was joined on commentary by Beauty and the Beast: Gorgeous George and Batista.
It was a see-saw match, with Gordy and Orndorff dialing up the intensity for their respective teams. The two powerhouses carried the bulk of the action, while Hayes and Drake tagged in and out, picking their spots carefully. The bout raged on for about ten minutes until a tall man in street clothes charged toward the ring, evading security and spearing Gordy to the mat. It was Barry Windham, and he only got in a couple of punches before he was tackled off by two security guards and Hayes, who cracked the Texan with a couple of cheap shots of his own. The referee called for the bell and the no-contest, infuriating both teams, while Windham was literally dragged away by a host of MLW personnel.
COMMERCIAL
A 30-second highlight video for WBKS right out of the break, and the message was simple: Wesley Blake and Buddy Murphy were tired of being underappreciated, and being underrated was overrated.
Russell: “Fans, I’ve just been informed that Commissioner Chuck Norris has fined Barry Windham $5,000 for interfering in the previous match. However, that might be money well spent, at least in Mr. Windham’s opinion – for next week, we're going to get a triple-threat tag-team match. The Main Event Machine and the Fabulous Freebirds will, once again, lock up in this ring… but in the third corner, Barry Windham will finally get the opportunity to get his hands on Terry ‘Bamm Bamm’ Gordy, with a partner of his choosing. But let’s get back to the action!”
MLW WORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
OWEN HART and DAVEY BOY SMITH vs. CURT HENNIG and BRIAN PILLMAN (w/JJ Dillon):
OWEN HART and DAVEY BOY SMITH vs. CURT HENNIG and BRIAN PILLMAN (w/JJ Dillon):
vs.
Four of the best all-around wrestlers in the MUW Network entered the ring ready for action, all wearing their game faces. Dillon summoned his duo to the corner before the match started, offering last-minute strategy, while the Stampede alumni conferred as well. Batista astutely noted that both teams would have to break out new tricks, given how well each team would know each other via the Hart Foundation connection.
And they did. The Horsemen wanted to employ a power game against Hart, especially when Hennig was in the ring. Conversely, the “British Bulldog” was in sprint mode whenever he was in the ring, hitting high-impact moves in short bursts. He would then tag in his brother-in-law who took it to the mat, using some of his father’s infamous hooking holds.
It was a 20-minute classic between the ropes, but marred by controversy. As the teams sprinted into the finish, the Great Britons sauntered through the curtain and stood on the ramp. The referee turned toward them, pointing them back toward the locker room… all while Hart made Hennig tap out in the Sharpshooter. Meanwhile, the MLW Wild Card champion Smith was heading off Dillon, who wanted in the ring; the wily manager, however, managed to toss Pillman some sort of small foreign object. The “Loose Cannon” put it in his right fist and smashed Hart between the eyes, breaking the hold instantly. With the ref’s back still turned, Pillman rolled his partner onto Hart and slid out of the ring. Finally, the official turned around – as if on cue - and made the three-count at 20:06. Both heel teams wandered off, while Smith and Hart dejectedly sat in the ring.
COMMERCIAL
Fortuitously, a camera happened to be backstage when America’s Most Wanted walked out of Jeff Jarrett’s office.
Harris: “That went alright, right? Jeff knows what we’re all about. We were one of the best tag-teams he ever had on his roster, we just gotta keep the momentum going.”
Storm: “And we will. We kicked ass in the battle royale a couple of weeks ago, and I was this close to winning the top contenders’ match after that. A break here, a break there… I’m fightin’ DiBiase tonight, man, not Edge. Yeah, you said it – we gotta get back in the ring, and soon.”
While they spoke, they were approached by another duo, who had overheard most of the conversation.
Cactus Jack: “Well, hello there, boys. Did you bring Mr. Jarrett a shiny new apple, too? Look at you two – you just got here and you’re already politicking to get shots. Pathetic, isn’t it?”
Terry Funk: “I gotta agree, Jack. Here’s the thing, fellas… I’ll give you a little bit of credit, you did do good in the battle royale. But that fatal four-way? Storm, son, I beat you like a rented mule all night long. I must have got distracted kickin’ your ass, that’s the only reason I figure I didn’t win that match myself that night. But if you’re lookin’ for another fight –“
Storm: “You know we are. Why don’t you and your pal go knock on ‘Mr. Jarrett’s’ door and see what you can do to make that happen. And in advance... sorry 'bout your damn luck.”
MLW WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
TED DiBIASE (w/Irwin R. Schyster and Keith Lee) vs. EDGE (w/Christian):
vs.
TED DiBIASE (w/Irwin R. Schyster and Keith Lee) vs. EDGE (w/Christian):
vs.
After what occurred in the previous match, the referee was on high alert for this one. Big-match introductions for this one, and the two men – nearly identical in height and weight – stood nose-to-nose in the middle of the ring.
Edge was a confident challenger, having worn championship gold so many times in the past; DiBiase, on the other hand, was just naturally arrogant. The match started slowly, with the two exchanging holds and throws to a stalemate. Eventually, the “Million Dollar Man” took charge, grinding the pace to a crawl and grounding his opponent. The crowd certainly didn’t like it, but it was effective.
However, the “Rated-R Superstar” battled back and he soon had the champion on the run. The moves came in rapid fashion, kicks and dives and other high-impact maneuvers staggering and confusing DiBiase. IRS and Lee were frantic on the outside, while Christian was ecstatic, watching his childhood friend land several two-counts. The crowd erupted as Edge connected with a half nelson bulldog, but Lee threw DiBiase’s leg over the bottom rope at the last possible second, and the referee stopped his count.
Despite the odds, Christian didn’t mind stepping up to Lee or Schyster. The referee barked at them to back away from the ring and each other, and behind him, Edge locked a sleeper on DiBiase. His hand dropped once, and twice… but in addition to the wealth, DiBiase was a tough worker, too. In a heartbeat, he elbowed the challenger hard in the gut, whirled behind him, and applied the Million Dollar Dream. Now it was the Canadian’s turn to fight for his proverbial life; the champion shook him back and forth as he squeezed with all of his might around Edge’s neck, and the two men staggered lockstep around the ring.
Suddenly, the two men went over the top rope, a last-gasp effort by Edge to break the hold. The two men fell to the mats hard, and it took a long time for either man to get to his feet. They traded punches from their knees, and slowly got back up, trading right hands along the way. DiBiase grabbed his foe’s wrist, and whipped him towards the steps, but Edge reversed it, launching the champ into the steel. “Limitless” stepped in between the two men, daring the challenger to move in, while Christian and Schyster yelled at each other. Finally, Edge rolled into the ring… but it was too late. The referee was waving for the bell. The match was ruled a double-countout at 22:47.
The match broke into a three-on-two brawl, with Money Inc. and their executive assistant beating down Edge and Christian until they managed to find chairs to repel the attack. DiBiase retrieved his championship belt and gloatingly held it overhead as they retreated up the ramp, and the show faded to black.