Post by fifthhorseman on Mar 28, 2014 5:32:43 GMT -5
Joey Styles: Hello wrestling fans – my name is Joey Styles, and this is AWA Wednesday Night Warriors! We are live and in living color, with two great hours of action emanating from the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City! Tonight, we –
Josh Mathews: Joey, I hate to interrupt, but we have to get down to the ring right now – it looks like the Rated-R Superstar, Edge, has something to say!
Edge was followed into the ring by his manager, J.J. Dillon. Dillon asked Christy Hemme for her microphone, and handed it immediately to his angry client.
Edge: A couple of weeks ago, I finally got the match I deserved. After weeks and weeks of watching men far less qualified than myself enter this ring – MY ring – and take on Daniel Bryan for the AWA Heavyweight championship… after weeks, and weeks, of being ignored by the championship committee… I finally got my turn. I finally got my shot. J.J., I know you did your best – obviously, the committee is criminally stupid.
Bryan, you know that I gave you the toughest match you’ve ever had – and in your heart, you also know that you barely escaped with the title. In fact, I’m pretty damn sure your shoulders were down on that dragon suplex you used to pin me, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least that the committee just lets that one go! But the fact of the matter is this: I deserve a rematch. We all know it, and I’m sure that this crowd wants to see it. So, Bryan, get down here, and tell me, man to man, I’m getting that title shot!
After about ten seconds, the curtain at the top of the ramp parted – but it was not for Daniel Bryan. Instead, it was Big Van Vader, trailed by his manager, Gary Hart. Both men strode down to the ring, and Hart grabbed the back-up mike from Hemme. Vader lumbered into the ring first, followed by the devious Hart.
Hart: I’m going to make this real simple, and unlike you, I don’t care if it takes place in front of these morons (gesturing to the crowd) tonight or not! It was my man, not you, that beat Daniel Bryan to within an inch of his life in the finals of the AWA Heavyweight championship tournament. And has HE received a televised rematch? Nope. And I’m not sure if you remember this, but the man he defeated in the semi-finals… was you. So maybe, just maybe, you want to reconsider where you truly stand, Edge. The line starts here… behind Big Van Vader.
Before Edge could respond, the curtain opened again, and William Regal emerged, microphone in hand.
Regal: Settle down, settle down. When I look inside that ring, do you know what I see? I see a pair of vicious, ruthless, and accomplished men. Peers, in fact. Men that fought on multiple continents and earned titles and reputations at the expense of lesser souls.
I also see a couple of losers. You’ve each fought Daniel Bryan, and lost. It is now time to introduce some new blood – a Blueblood, if you will – into the number one contender’s seat. I humbly suggest to the championship committee that I, William Regal, wrestle Daniel Bryan for the AWA championship. If you require further evidence of my qualifications, then watch my match later on against that curmudgeon, Verne Gagne – you will see that I am far and away the most suited for that task.
Regal retreated behind the curtain, and Edge and Vader stood toe-to-toe as the show went to commercial break.
Joey Styles: Welcome back, fans – I better run down the card before someone else decides to interrupts the format! Tonight’s main event is an AWA Television title defense featuring, arguably, the AWA’s most dominant champion, the Great Muta, and he faces one of his most persistent challengers, Adrian Neville! The Young Bucks take on the newest team in the very competitive tag scene, Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane, the Midnight Express! “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin finally gets his hands on the man who piledrove him three weeks ago, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff! And as mentioned in our impromptu opening segment, William Regal squares off again against Verne Gagne, but this time, they do so in a 30-minute ironman match… and it starts right now!
VS.
Verne Gagne vs. William Regal (w/Layla): This match was booked after their 15-minute draw a few weeks earlier, and was a match both men wanted. Like before, it was a very stiff, snug, and well-wrestled contest. Regal was more willing to fight a dirtier style this time around, but Gagne knew just as many tricks as the Englishman, and gave as well as he got. Gagne grabbed the first pin of the match relatively early, approximately eight minutes in with a double-chickenwing bridging suplex, and reminded his opponent, just loudly enough for the cameras to pick it up, “I guess that makes ME the top contender.”
The referee restarted the match after 30 seconds, as per AWA rules. Regal tried to force the pace after that, wrestling in a more dynamic and hard-hitting manner. However, as before, Gagne was happy to oblige, and nearly put the match out of reach with several two-counts against his less-defensively-minded foe. Frustrated, Regal rolled outside to gather his wits, and returned a few moments later to slow it back down. It was a see-saw struggle for the next ten minutes, and it went to the mat often. At about the 28-minute match, with one eye on the clock, Regal tripped Gagne and locked in the “Regal Stretch”, holding on for over a minute in the middle of the ring. Eventually – incredibly – the AWA stalwart tapped, and the match was tied at one fall each.
Gagne, however, could not get to his feet. Regal stood triumphantly over his foe, exhorting the official to start the 30-second clock, and he did. Unfortunately for Regal, the 30-minute bell rang first, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The Monarchy’s representative walked back first, with Layla, sore and angry, but smiling. Gagne recovered quickly, and limped back afterwards.
VS.
The Midnight Express vs. the Young Bucks: It was a four-man brawl to start, and the action went in, out, and above the ring for the first three minutes of the match; the referee, perhaps in awe of the moves being employed, let it go. Eventually it settled down, and the four men made lightning –quick tags and executed tandem moves that made the fans stand. Though the quickest team in the AWA (the Bucks) had the early advantage, mixing in aerial maneuvers and blatant cheating, the Express rallied back, and won the 13-minute match with the “Rocket Launcher” splash.
[60-second recap of AWA Throwdown, with highlights from every match; most notably, Scott Hall calling out Nigel McGuinness for the AWA Intercontinental championship after a match with Wade Barrett, resulting in a four-on-one beating by the Monarchy.]
VS.
Michael Elgin vs. Paul Orndorff: Elgin entered first, anxious to get vengeance on “Mr. Wonderful”. So anxious, in fact, that he ran up the ramp and met Orndorff halfway down. They brawled viciously, trading punches, forearms, elbows, and kicks. They threw each other into the ringside barricades, and completely ignored the referee’s instructions. This time, unlike the match before, the official had no choice but to call it a no-contest.
After a minute or so, and after both men were separated and taken back to the locker room area, Christy Hemme entered the ring and announced that a stand-by match was going on next.
VS.
Alexander Rusev vs. Big Van Vader (w/Gary Hart): The bout had a 10-minute time limit, but it lasted just over six minutes. The Bulgarian brute surprised Vader at the beginning, staggering him with chops and headbutts. That was about the extent of his offense, though, and Vader took control. He made Rusev look smaller than his 300 pounds, and slammed him relentlessly with forearms to the head. It was an unfortunate lesson for Rusev, who despite one last-gasp rally, fell to the master of the power bomb. Post-match, Vader pointed to his waist, declaring himself the best man in the AWA.
VS.
The Great Muta [C](w/Gary Hart) vs. Adrian Neville: It wasn’t Neville’s first crack at the Television title, and he fought like a man possessed. He went to the air often, as did Muta, who was equally at ease coming off the top rope. The champion eventually put Neville on the mat, and utilized various nerve holds to weaken his foe. But “the man that gravity forgot” would not stay grounded, and resumed his high-impact offense. Unfortunately, a split-second slip from the top rope was the one and only opportunity Muta needed – he kicked in Neville’s knee near the corner, then hit his moonsault for the sudden, literally breath-taking pin to earn the hard-fought win to close the show.
Josh Mathews: Joey, I hate to interrupt, but we have to get down to the ring right now – it looks like the Rated-R Superstar, Edge, has something to say!
Edge was followed into the ring by his manager, J.J. Dillon. Dillon asked Christy Hemme for her microphone, and handed it immediately to his angry client.
Edge: A couple of weeks ago, I finally got the match I deserved. After weeks and weeks of watching men far less qualified than myself enter this ring – MY ring – and take on Daniel Bryan for the AWA Heavyweight championship… after weeks, and weeks, of being ignored by the championship committee… I finally got my turn. I finally got my shot. J.J., I know you did your best – obviously, the committee is criminally stupid.
Bryan, you know that I gave you the toughest match you’ve ever had – and in your heart, you also know that you barely escaped with the title. In fact, I’m pretty damn sure your shoulders were down on that dragon suplex you used to pin me, and it wouldn’t surprise me in the least that the committee just lets that one go! But the fact of the matter is this: I deserve a rematch. We all know it, and I’m sure that this crowd wants to see it. So, Bryan, get down here, and tell me, man to man, I’m getting that title shot!
After about ten seconds, the curtain at the top of the ramp parted – but it was not for Daniel Bryan. Instead, it was Big Van Vader, trailed by his manager, Gary Hart. Both men strode down to the ring, and Hart grabbed the back-up mike from Hemme. Vader lumbered into the ring first, followed by the devious Hart.
Hart: I’m going to make this real simple, and unlike you, I don’t care if it takes place in front of these morons (gesturing to the crowd) tonight or not! It was my man, not you, that beat Daniel Bryan to within an inch of his life in the finals of the AWA Heavyweight championship tournament. And has HE received a televised rematch? Nope. And I’m not sure if you remember this, but the man he defeated in the semi-finals… was you. So maybe, just maybe, you want to reconsider where you truly stand, Edge. The line starts here… behind Big Van Vader.
Before Edge could respond, the curtain opened again, and William Regal emerged, microphone in hand.
Regal: Settle down, settle down. When I look inside that ring, do you know what I see? I see a pair of vicious, ruthless, and accomplished men. Peers, in fact. Men that fought on multiple continents and earned titles and reputations at the expense of lesser souls.
I also see a couple of losers. You’ve each fought Daniel Bryan, and lost. It is now time to introduce some new blood – a Blueblood, if you will – into the number one contender’s seat. I humbly suggest to the championship committee that I, William Regal, wrestle Daniel Bryan for the AWA championship. If you require further evidence of my qualifications, then watch my match later on against that curmudgeon, Verne Gagne – you will see that I am far and away the most suited for that task.
Regal retreated behind the curtain, and Edge and Vader stood toe-to-toe as the show went to commercial break.
Joey Styles: Welcome back, fans – I better run down the card before someone else decides to interrupts the format! Tonight’s main event is an AWA Television title defense featuring, arguably, the AWA’s most dominant champion, the Great Muta, and he faces one of his most persistent challengers, Adrian Neville! The Young Bucks take on the newest team in the very competitive tag scene, Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane, the Midnight Express! “Unbreakable” Michael Elgin finally gets his hands on the man who piledrove him three weeks ago, “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff! And as mentioned in our impromptu opening segment, William Regal squares off again against Verne Gagne, but this time, they do so in a 30-minute ironman match… and it starts right now!
VS.
Verne Gagne vs. William Regal (w/Layla): This match was booked after their 15-minute draw a few weeks earlier, and was a match both men wanted. Like before, it was a very stiff, snug, and well-wrestled contest. Regal was more willing to fight a dirtier style this time around, but Gagne knew just as many tricks as the Englishman, and gave as well as he got. Gagne grabbed the first pin of the match relatively early, approximately eight minutes in with a double-chickenwing bridging suplex, and reminded his opponent, just loudly enough for the cameras to pick it up, “I guess that makes ME the top contender.”
The referee restarted the match after 30 seconds, as per AWA rules. Regal tried to force the pace after that, wrestling in a more dynamic and hard-hitting manner. However, as before, Gagne was happy to oblige, and nearly put the match out of reach with several two-counts against his less-defensively-minded foe. Frustrated, Regal rolled outside to gather his wits, and returned a few moments later to slow it back down. It was a see-saw struggle for the next ten minutes, and it went to the mat often. At about the 28-minute match, with one eye on the clock, Regal tripped Gagne and locked in the “Regal Stretch”, holding on for over a minute in the middle of the ring. Eventually – incredibly – the AWA stalwart tapped, and the match was tied at one fall each.
Gagne, however, could not get to his feet. Regal stood triumphantly over his foe, exhorting the official to start the 30-second clock, and he did. Unfortunately for Regal, the 30-minute bell rang first, and the match ended in a 1-1 draw. The Monarchy’s representative walked back first, with Layla, sore and angry, but smiling. Gagne recovered quickly, and limped back afterwards.
VS.
The Midnight Express vs. the Young Bucks: It was a four-man brawl to start, and the action went in, out, and above the ring for the first three minutes of the match; the referee, perhaps in awe of the moves being employed, let it go. Eventually it settled down, and the four men made lightning –quick tags and executed tandem moves that made the fans stand. Though the quickest team in the AWA (the Bucks) had the early advantage, mixing in aerial maneuvers and blatant cheating, the Express rallied back, and won the 13-minute match with the “Rocket Launcher” splash.
[60-second recap of AWA Throwdown, with highlights from every match; most notably, Scott Hall calling out Nigel McGuinness for the AWA Intercontinental championship after a match with Wade Barrett, resulting in a four-on-one beating by the Monarchy.]
VS.
Michael Elgin vs. Paul Orndorff: Elgin entered first, anxious to get vengeance on “Mr. Wonderful”. So anxious, in fact, that he ran up the ramp and met Orndorff halfway down. They brawled viciously, trading punches, forearms, elbows, and kicks. They threw each other into the ringside barricades, and completely ignored the referee’s instructions. This time, unlike the match before, the official had no choice but to call it a no-contest.
After a minute or so, and after both men were separated and taken back to the locker room area, Christy Hemme entered the ring and announced that a stand-by match was going on next.
VS.
Alexander Rusev vs. Big Van Vader (w/Gary Hart): The bout had a 10-minute time limit, but it lasted just over six minutes. The Bulgarian brute surprised Vader at the beginning, staggering him with chops and headbutts. That was about the extent of his offense, though, and Vader took control. He made Rusev look smaller than his 300 pounds, and slammed him relentlessly with forearms to the head. It was an unfortunate lesson for Rusev, who despite one last-gasp rally, fell to the master of the power bomb. Post-match, Vader pointed to his waist, declaring himself the best man in the AWA.
VS.
The Great Muta [C](w/Gary Hart) vs. Adrian Neville: It wasn’t Neville’s first crack at the Television title, and he fought like a man possessed. He went to the air often, as did Muta, who was equally at ease coming off the top rope. The champion eventually put Neville on the mat, and utilized various nerve holds to weaken his foe. But “the man that gravity forgot” would not stay grounded, and resumed his high-impact offense. Unfortunately, a split-second slip from the top rope was the one and only opportunity Muta needed – he kicked in Neville’s knee near the corner, then hit his moonsault for the sudden, literally breath-taking pin to earn the hard-fought win to close the show.