Post by fifthhorseman on Jan 5, 2019 17:43:47 GMT -5
MLW FRIDAY NIGHT HEAT
EPISODE 18
EPISODE 18
60-second video montage recapping last week’s show, followed by title graphics and explosive pyro.
Howard Finkel: “Ladies and gentlemen, coming down the aisle, weighing 260 pounds… the Major League Wrestling World Heavyweight champion, the ‘Million Dollar Man’… Ted DiBiase!”
A rare monologue led off the show, as DiBiase – flanked by Irwin R. Schyster and Keith Lee – slowly walked down the ramp, the championship strap cinched around his waist. He took the microphone from Finkel and arrogantly dismissed him from the ring.
DiBiase: “You’re looking at the man in Major League Wrestling! I’ve worn this gold for over three months, and no one has pinned my shoulders to the mat. No one has made me submit. And no man ever will. And mark my words, it 's only a matter of time – literally one match away, whenever the championship committee wakes up and gives Money Incorporated the shot – before my partner and I are the MLW World Tag-Team champions, too.”
“Last week, you saw me put Edge to sleep, fair and square, right in the middle of this ring. A lot of people would say that he’s the best this company has to offer – but they’re wrong! I beat him, and I took out Christian out of the title picture at the same time. Jarrett, you keep lining them up, and I’ll keep knocking them down.”
“But in just a few weeks, I have some other business to take care of. Seth Rollins, you’re wearing yet another championship that I want – the MUW World championship. After all, it’s only fitting that the best wrestler in the world today should be wearing such a prestigious title… and Rollins, you’re looking at him! Enjoy it while you can, because when Battlebowl is all said and done, the Million Dollar Man is going to be wearing all of the gold!”
He tossed the microphone aside as his colleagues applauded, and the trio left the arena to a chorus of jeers.
Lance Russell: “Good evening, wrestling fans, and welcome to MLW Friday Night Heat! I’m Lance Russell, and I’m joined on commentary this week by the Dynamic 2uo themselves, Gino Hernandez and Austin Aries. Major League Wrestling has four matches in store for you tonight, and our main event pits the World Tag-Team champions, Curt Hennig and Brian Pillman, against Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane, the Midnight Express. So let’s get right to the ring, where Howard Finkel is standing by!”
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST vs. the STREET PROFITS:
vs.
vs.
The Profits came down to the ring first, and as opulent as their entrance was, their opponents definitely outshone them. Batista started the action off against Dawkins, tossing him around the ring like he was a cruiserweight. Ford fared a little better, so the 300-pounder tagged out to George. After that, it didn’t take long for the more experienced pair to take charge again, and it ended at an even eight minutes when Batista powerbombed Dawkins for the pin. Then, for good measure, he did the same to Ford. The victors left the ring smiling, pointing to their waists, declaring themselves challengers to any title in MLW.
COMMERCIAL
A 60-second Battlebowl vignette ran, followed by an updated graphic, followed by an announcement by CIO Jeff Jarrett: every champion would be in action at Battlebowl. DiBiase vs. Rollins was already set; in addition, both sets of tag titles would be defended against opponents to be named later, and MLW Wild Card champion Jay Briscoe would face the winner of a 20-man battle royale… taking place next week.
CHRISTOPHER DANIELS (w/Frankie Kazarian) vs. BUDDY MURPHY (w/Wesley Blake):
vs.
vs.
Russell quickly filled in the backstory here, as the Addiction and WBKS brawled on the stage last week. Both squads felt like they were overlooked in MLW, and they saw each other as a stepping stone to capture some of the spotlight in MLW.
This was a fast-paced battle, with the youth and power of Murphy proving to be a true test against the savvy and technical skill of the “Fallen Angel”. Kaz and Blake jawed at each other on the outside throughout, and occasionally lent a helping hand to their respective partners when the referee wasn’t looking. There was barely a break in the action, and after slipping out of Angel’s Wings, “the Juggernaut” caught Daniels in Murphy’s Law at 18:45. WBKS celebrated on the ramp, until the Addiction chased them off; this feud wasn’t over yet.
COMMERCIAL
Russell: “Fans, I’ve just been given a notice from MLW officials – next week, right here on Friday Night Heat, the Intercontinental Tag-Team champions, the Heroes of the Republic, will defend their titles in a rematch against Jeff Jarrett and Elias. That will be-“
Aries: “Are you freaking kidding me? What does it take to get noticed around here? Must be nice to be the Chief Imagination Officer and an active member of the roster.”
Hernandez: “Give me a break. Just wait until Cornette hears about this.”
The LATIN AMERICAN EXCHANGE vs. the WIDOWMAKERS:
vs.
vs.
After the former TNA champs got to the ring, a clip of “Supermex” abandoning Barry Windham during their match several weeks earlier played on the screens. The Widowmakers showed no emotion when they got between the ropes, but the two former partners went nose-to-nose during the introductions.
The Widowmakers tried to use their size advantage on Homicide, but he was the quickest man in the ring. The LAX made frequent tags, confusing their foes with alternating speed and raw power, and Hernandez was very happy to put that power on display. The bout see-sawed back and forth, and all four men mixed it up inside and out of the squared circle, but a Sister Abigail on Homicide ended the brutal brawl at 14:02.
COMMERCIAL
Russell set up a 30-second Midnight Express highlight package that bled into a pre-taped interview with Lane and Eaton filmed earlier in the day. It was exactly what you’d expect – the former NWA World tag champs were confident, and planned on leaving the USF Sun Dome with the MLW titles.
Cut to a live shot of the Horsemen’s locker room. The Revival spoke first, lamenting their loss to the Road Warriors a week earlier, furious that they had no time to plan for such a match. Their manager was up next, reassuring Dawson and Wilder that they were the backbone of the Horsemen, and indeed, the unsung heroes of the entire MUW Network. Hennig and Pillman wrapped it up as only the cocky tandem could, putting over the Express as a quality team, but reminding the audience that the Horsemen were the best team going today.
MLW WORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
CURT HENNIG and BRIAN PILLMAN (c, w/JJ Dillon) vs. the MIDNIGHT EXPRESS:
vs.
CURT HENNIG and BRIAN PILLMAN (c, w/JJ Dillon) vs. the MIDNIGHT EXPRESS:
vs.
The Dynamic 2uo angrily stared down the Midnight Express as they stepped through the curtain, and when Eaton and Lane turned their backs, the heels belted them from behind with loaded tennis rackets. They attacked them viciously with several shots to the back and ribs before officials could manhandle the 2uo to the locker room.
The Express limped to the ring, and moments later, the Horsemen arrogantly arrived. The three men weren’t about to look this gift horse in the mouth; they looked forward to a quick night, an easy title defense, and the winner’s share of the purse.
Eatin and Hennig locked up first, two master technicians at work. However, it didn’t take long for “Mr. Perfect” to outmuscle his already weakened foe, and he ground him into the mat. A couple of minutes later, he tagged in the “Loose Cannon”, who also toyed with Eaton. Dillon watched on with admiration, but despite the beating “Beautiful Bobby” took, he refused to stay down for a three-count.
After several long minutes, he dove toward Lane for the tag. “Sweet Stan” enjoyed a few moments of glory, but Hennig dropkicked him in his ailing back, dropping Lane to the canvas where the Horsemen took charge again.
But the Express battled on, and with the crowd firmly in their corner, turned the tide. Eaton and Lane threw Hennig to the floor, and double-teamed Pillman with a series of unique maneuvers. But they missed a blind tag, and after Eaton was tacked through the ropes by Pillman, Hennig put Lane away with his patented Perfectplex at 16:33.
The show faded to black with Dillon proudly holding his charges’ hands high, as Russell wondered aloud who would be the next team up to challenge the unstoppable force of Hennig and Pillman.