'Game On' by Discipline begins to play as the words 'NLW' flash across the screen, and the scene flashes back to last Uprising, where Jesse Williams defeated Eddie Williams, Ray Lopes defeated Drake Munday, JC defeated Roxy Erikson and in our main event, The Phoenix defeated Ethan Dashery in a 'Jake Steel Rules' match! The scene cuts to ringside, with Caelan Tyler and 'The Real Deal' Jake Steel ... and The Phoenix?!

Caelan Tyler: Hello, everyone, and welcome to the last Uprising of 2009! Three titles at stake tonight, and some history could be made before we even get to the main event!

Jake Steel: Does this history involve ABUSE~ of epic proportions?

Caelan Tyler: No, Jake. It involves anything but.

Jake Steel: Then who really cares?

The Phoenix: I think quite a bit of the audience cares, to be honest with you, Jake. We could be on the verge of history and I'm glad to be here for it.

Jake Steel: And who the hell invited you down here?

The Phoenix: Being the Commissioner has its' perks, Jake. If the Board decided to move me out of the tournament because of Ray Lopes and Ethan Dashery deciding not to take part, the least they could do is let me sit ringside for the opening round. I'm leaving before the main event because I don't want to influence the NLW Championship match in any way.

Caelan Tyler: Makes sense to me.

Jake Steel: Caelan, just stay between the fat cripple and me; I don't want to have to look at him.

The Phoenix: ....I'm not gonna dignify that with a response.

Zach King: Our opening contest in tonight's NLW Championship tournament is a triple threat match scheduled for one fall, and it is for the vacant NLW Anarchy X championship! Making her way to the ring, fighting out of New York City, NY... weighing in at 205 pounds...

The lights go out as the sound of violins echo through the arena, the 'What it's like to burn' by Finch hammering through the PA.

She buuuuuuuuuuuuurns

Zach King: THE BLACK PHOENIX!

Today's on fire
The sky is bleeding above me, and I am blistered
I walk these lines of blasphemy, every day
And still:

The lights begin to strobe as images of the carnage left in the wake of the Phoenix flashes on the big screen:
The Black Phoenix setting Ali Khadafi on fire, Her quickly moving out of the way as half the ceiling falls when she was just moments before in the infamous ladder match versus The Wrestling God and Vanity, wiping Medea Jane from OWF's blood over her chest. Sunset power bombing Twilight to the floor. Flicking her blood at the crowd.

Like a bad star, I'm falling faster down to her
She's the only one who knows, what it is to burn
So tell me
What's the price to pay for glory?

The Black Phoenix appears underneath a spotlight on the turnbuckle as flame explode from the other turnbuckles, the mask looking even more ghoulish as it reflect the light of the fire, which fits the fiery color of her hair. She throws her hands in the air as the light come back on with a thunder of pyro on the stage.

Today is fire, and she burns
Today is fire, and she burns
She burns
She burns
She burns

The lights fade back up and the music fades as The Black Phoenix drops from the turnbuckle, awaiting the battle ahead.

Jake Steel: WHOO! We're starting with the crazy bitch ABUSE tonight!

The Phoenix: This is going to be interesting. I'd heard rumors that BP may not be the same mentally as before--if you'll remember the lumberjill match at the Halloween Uprising, she basically paid no attention to Aphrodisia Jordan, a person she's had a long history with, for the entire match. This should be interesting to see what she brings into the ring tonight.

Caelan Tyler: Phoenix, I'm glad for one that you're out here; you might actually bring some semblance of commentary to this match.

Breaking Benjamin's 'Blow Me Away' hits, and the reigning MVW-OWF-NLW LillyAss Champion makes his way towards the ring, his belt conspicuously absent tonight. He spends a few moments talking trash to the fans in the aisle before sliding into the ring. As he stands he doesn't see BP coming until it's too late, and gets rocked with a step-up enzuigiri for his efforts! Munday falls to the mat, and BP looks for a cover! The ref pauses for a split second before falling to the mat, not even worrying about Jin Royale's entrance:

1...

2...

Kickout at two and a half! Black Phoenix gets to her feet as Jin finally emerges from the back and runs down to the ring to officially make this the match it was supposed to have been. In the meantime, BP has pulled Drake to his feet and sends him away with an Irish whip. She drops low on the rebound, and as Drake hops over her Jin charges forward with a clothesline that sends Drake into a full flip before landing on his back. Knowing BP is nearby, Jin instead pulls Drake to his feet and delivers a quick scoop slam. Jin goes to the ropes for an elbow drop, but BP is quick instead to deliver a baseball slide to Munday's face to send him outside.

Caelan Tyler: Action starting from before the opening bell here, and now we'll see how these two fare against each other.

The Phoenix: Crafty move early on by BP, trying to steal the win before the third participant in the match could come out. Not one I agree with, but still a wily move regardless.

Jake Steel: The only thing you agree with is the buffet bar. Get him, BP!

Collar-and-elbow tie-up now, and Jin uses his clear-cut size advantage to force Black Phoenix into the ropes. Ref asks for a clean break, but BP denies him that with a forearm shiver to the face, and a second for good measure. She then goes for an Irish whip which is naturally reversed, and ducks under an attempted Jim Royale back elbow. On the second rebound Jin is ready for her, though, and hits a deep arm drag that sends her halfway across the ring. She's quick to recover, and comes back in only to eat a drop toe hold across the middle rope. Jin quickly slides out of the ring and hits a Saotome Rising that sends BP back into the ring. Scrambling in, and seeing no sign of Drake, Jin looks for the quick cover:

1...

2...

Kickout just after the two. Shrugging, Jin stands up, oblivious to movement behind him. As he goes to pull Black Phoenix to her feet, Jin's back gets slammed by a trash can lid! Royale arches back in pain before getting clocked in the back of the head by the same can lid, and in the span of a moment Drake Munday is the last wrestler standing, weapon in hand and both opponents down. Dropping the can lid, he moves for a quick cover on Jin:

1...

2...

Kickout at two and a half. Drake turns to BP, but sees that she is starting to rise and just waits for her to get fully to her feet before landing a high dropkick that sends her sprawling to the outside.

Jake Steel: First ABUSE of the night goes to Drake Munday!

Caelan Tyler: I'm shocked that didn't eliminate Drake from the match, Phoenix.

The Phoenix: Anarchy X title match. By long-standing NLW rule, that means no disqualifications or countouts. I may have never gotten to properly defend the title during my time as the Anarchy X champion, but I am familiar with the basic rules of the belt. I imagine the ref is going to give quite a bit of leeway in this one.

Jake Steel: If only someone would take you out instead, Phoenix...

The Phoenix: Jake, don't tempt me.

With Black Phoenix temporarily disabled, Munday decides to press his advantage as he pulls Jin to his feet and comes off the far side ropes, hitting a bulldog on the way back cross. Royale is down, but Drake doesn't go for the cover just yet as instead he grabs the trash can lid and puts it into position at the back of his legs. He jumps a moment later, landing an Arabian--or is that Green Bay?--Facebuster on the former Anarchy X champion! Jin flops around on the mat for the moment before getting pulled onto his back by Drake, who hooks the leg for the lateral press:

1...

2...

Two and a half only, as Jin gets a shoulder up! Undaunted, Drake steps outside the ropes and climbs to the top turnbuckle, watching Jin carefully to see if there are any signs of a trap appearing. Finding none, Munday leaps off and hits a diving elbow from the top rope, and again looks for a lateral press:

1...

2...

Broken up by a stomp from BP! Drake manages to get to his feet and shoves Black Phoenix away before turning his attention back to Jin. This turns out to be a mistake on his part, though, as Black Phoenix hits a textbook round kick to the back of the head that drops Munday like a bad habit! With an opportunity at hand, Black Phoenix covers Munday, looking to steal one quickly:

1...

2...

Thr--Jin with a double axe-handle to the back to break up the cover!

Caelan Tyler: Action going back and forth here, no one is worn down enough to really worry about a cover--

Jake Steel: That's because this match is sorely lacking in ABUSE, dammit!

The Phoenix: Jake, there's more to wrestling than beating people with large, blunt objects.

Jake Steel: No, there isn't!

The Phoenix: So help me, I will make you cry for your mother before the night is over, Jake. That is a promise.

As Black Phoenix rolls off of Drake, Jin pulls the LillyAss champion to his feet and sends him into the ropes where BP is standing. Instead of a collision, though, BP simply drops down, grabbing the top ropes as Drake goes sailing over it and onto the floor! With one competitor out of the way, Jin comes over to BP and takes her down with a snap mare. Royale seems to think he's in control, but quickly finds out that it is a false sense of security as Black Phoenix pulls out a gogoplata submission and locks it in tight! Jin is trapped, and seems to have nowhere to go as he flails around, looking for a possible way out of this predicament. Whether it's fate or Lady Luck smiling on him is debatable as one of his feet manages to catch the bottom rope to force a break. To say that Black Phoenix looks pissed is an understatement as she finally lets go, and Jin desperately gasps for air. His reprieve doesn't last long, though, as BP assumes a rear mount position and starts raining crossface forearm shots on Royale, forcing the larger opponent to cover up or have his nose broken--or worse. The ref watches, looking ready to call the match if Jin gets knocked out, but it's all in vain a moment later as Drake comes in, this time with a kendo stick in hand, and nearly breaks it over the head of Black Phoenix!

Jake Steel: That's what I am talking about! WHOOOO!

The Phoenix: I know I've asked this before, Caelan, but how the hell can you handle this every show?

Caelan Tyler: Custom earplugs. It dampens his voice enough to where it doesn't run down your spine.

The Phoenix: Remind me later to ask where you got them from.

Jake Steel: Guys, I'm right here, you know. I can hear you.

The Phoenix: Unfortunately for us....

With the shattered remains of the stick still in hand, Drake presses the weapon down across the throat of BP, looking to choke her out much like she tried to do to Jin just a moment ago. After about twenty seconds of this, Munday jams the bottom of the weapon into the forehead of Black Phoenix, stunning her as he goes into a lateral press:

1...

2...

Two and a half only, as BP kicks out easily due to a lack of a hooked leg. Drake gives the ref a quick look before pulling Black Phoenix to her feet and planting her with a hard DDT that reverberates throughout the arena! Instead of going for a cover, Drake instead rolls out of the ring, pulling up the apron as he looks for something else to use as a weapon. A moment later, he finds what he's looking for as he brings a table and a chair both into play. Sliding them into the ring, he follows them inside and quickly sets the table up in the corner before looking at the situation around him. Black Phoenix still seems out of it, and Jin Royale is beginning to recover slightly. With a nod, Drake's plan finalizes itself as he pulls BP to the tabled corner and rams her head into it, leaving her dazed as he walks over to Jin, and pulls him to his feet in the opposite corner. With a glance over his shoulder at BP, Munday braces himself as he tries to send Jin across the ring. Jin's having none of it, though, and reverses the move, sending Drake into the corner. As he nears the corner, Drake goes low, looking to spear BP through the table, but Black Phoenix leaps out of the way and it's Drake going through the table alone!

The Phoenix: Drake took too long to set that up, and Jin made him pay for it. If Royale can capitalize on it here, he's going to move on.

Jake Steel: But...but Jin sux!

The Phoenix: So does your mom, but what's your point?

Caelan Tyler: Oooh, burn!

As Drake slumps in the corner, Black Phoenix comes charging at Jin, and catches him a bit off-guard with a leaping punch. An elbow strike follows this up, and BP seems to be back in control. She backs off a step or two, looking for some momentum to go with whatever her next attack is. It's in vain, though, as Jin sidesteps a high thrust kick from BP and sends her to the mat with a left-side lariat. Out of the corner of his eye, he sees Drake get up and move towards him, and Royale turns to deal with that threat. Munday tries to lash out with a kick to the sternum, but Jin catches the leg and grins evilly as he drops to a knee as the crowd explodes into cheers. Drake tries to beg off of it but Jin's having none of it as he rears his right hand back and screams 'Shoryuken!' as the fans say it with him. What follows next is certainly painful for Drake Munday (and most of the male viewing audience, for that matter) as Jin uppercuts Drake in the family jewels ten times to the counting delight of the audience.

Jake Steel: But....ABUSE...from the wrong person...but...ABUSE....

Caelan Tyler: There are no words for this.

The Phoenix: Took 'em from my mouth there, Cael. Damn.

Munday falls to the mat in a fetal position as Jin immediately looks for a cover:

1...

2...

Thre--Black Phoenix with a diving save! Drake rolls out of the ring, barely moving as Royale gets to his feet, looking at Black Phoenix. A few feet away, he sees the steel chair where Drake had left it earlier, and picks it up to the cheers of the crowd. Holding it steady, he watches BP stand, and whistles in her direction. She turns, sees the steel chair flying at her, and rolls underneath of it, popping to her feet a moment later...and falling right into position for a Showstopper Superkick! The impact is clean on the jaw, and Black Phoenix drops like a stone as Royale falls into the cover:

1...

2...

3!

The bell sounds as Jin gets to his feet, a smile on his face as the ref approaches him with the Anarchy X belt.

Zach King: Qualifying for the NLW Championship match, here is your winner and once again the NLW Anarchy X Champion... JIN ROYALE!

Jake Steel: But...where's all the ABUSE?

The Phoenix: Just goes to show you, Jake, sometimes people don't need weapons to cause anarchy.

Caelan Tyler: It was a good, hard-hitting match for certain. For a bit there I thought Black Phoenix had it cinched with her MMA apparoach.

Jake Steel: But...my ABUSE...

The Phoenix: Deal with it, Jake. All I can say.

Caelan Tyler: We're not going to waste any time here, as up next is the second of three title matches scheduled, and it's one that I know you have a vested interest in, Phoenix..

The Phoenix: That's an understatement, Cael. Everyone knows that when I was signed on as the Commissioner, JC was the first person I brought in to NLW. We've had one match before, in OWF, and I have respect for the guy in and out of the ring. And any long-time NLW fan knows of my history--both good and bad--with The Ice Man.

Jake Steel: Oh, is this the part where I get to complain about how boring the match is?

Caelan Tyler: How did I know that was coming?

Zach King: The following contest in tonight's NLW Championship tournament is scheduled for one fall, and it is for the vacant NLW Legacy championship!

The lights go dark, and a red spotlight shines on the stage.

I smell of death
I reek of hate
I will live forever!

'Bloodline' by Slayer blares on the speakers. Out from the back comes from JC, wearing a robe resembling that of a monk or a priest.

I'll kill you and your dreams tonight
Begin new life...

His eyes are focused on the ground, paying no attention to anyone in the crowd or his surroundings.

Bleed your death upon me
Let your bloodline feed my youth

He slides into the ring, discarding the robe as he waits for his opponent to make his entrance.

Zach King: The following match is a Legacy Rules match, where the winner will become both the new Legacy Champion as well as advance to tonight's main event! Introducing first... From Jersey City, New Jersey... Weighing in at 255 pounds... JC!

Caelan Tyler: Look at the determination on JC's face, guys. You can tell he really wants this win and the Legacy title.

Jake Steel: Yeah, it might bring some class to that belt.

The Phoenix: I never heard you complaining much when X-Terminator had the belt, Jake, even during his successful defense against JC at Turbulence.

Jake Steel: Well...didn't need to then.

'Second to None' By Styles of Beyond begins to sound over the arena loudspeakers and the lights begin to flicker slightly before going out completely. After a few moments there is a large explosion on the stage and the lights come back up, revealing The Ice Man in the middle of the stage. He takes a moment to look around before walking towards the ring, shaking hands with fans along the way. Once he makes it to the ring he climbs in and stands in the center, raising his arm into the air as explosions erupt from all four turnbuckles.

Zach King: And his opponent... From Portland, Oregon... Weighing in at 275 pounds... He is a NLW Legend... THE ICE MAN!

Caelan Tyler: Here is the guy who has to be the sentimental favorite; a win here and he becomes the first wrestler to win all three major singles titles in NLW.

Jake Steel: And if he loses, we'll call him the new-age King of Choke!

The Phoenix: Ignoring the idiot at the table....

Caelan Tyler: Keep in mind that this is Legacy Rules--three rope breaks per match, and the title can change hands on a DQ or count-out. As a former Legacy champ, Phoenix, what's your analysis as these two get ready to lock up?

The Phoenix: On paper, JC has the advantage--the Legacy rule-set is more to his style of wrestling, plus he's been active while Ice has been out of the ring for months. However, Ice has shown himself to be money in these big-time matches, and remember he was the first person to defend the NLW Championship successfully in years. This could go either way.

The bell sounds and immediately both men engage in a stare-down in the middle of the ring. Not a word is said between the two as their eyes do all of the talking for them. Simultaneously, both men hit with right hands, and the war is on as neither man backs down. Slowly, Ice gets the advantage with his strength, and begins to back JC towards the ropes before sending him away with an Irish whip. On the rebound, Ice looks for a shoulder tackle, but neither man moves on impact. This time, Ice goes to the ropes to get the momentum for the tackle, and again neither man budges on impact. Ice heads to the ropes a second time, as does JC, and as they close in on each other JC charges forward with a clothesline that sends the Ice Man to the mat. Quick to capitalize on the advantage, JC applies a side headlock that Ice has little problem in returning to a vertical base out of. As Ice tries to power his way out, though, JC frees his right hand to punch the NLW Legend in the stomach, stopping the attempt before it truly begins.

Caelan Tyler: JC showing early that he's going to work his style of match no matter what Ice tries to pull here. That's going to be to his advantage as the match progresses.

Jake Steel: Meanwhile, people like me--

The Phoenix: Jake, no one likes you, so stop your lies right there.

Jake Steel: I wasn't finished, you overweight piece of donkey shit!

The Phoenix: Yes, you were. Now be a good little idiot and watch the match.

After a few moments, Ice once again tries to power out of the side headlock, and this time JC releases the hold as Ice begins to put more power into his escape attempt. The result is that Ice loses his balance for a bit, and JC is quick to charge in with another clothesline to drop the former NLW Champion to the mat. JC then begins to stomp at the neck and back of Ice, and doesn't relent until Ice has managed to squirm his way out of the ring, avoiding using a rope break in the process. The ref begins to count Ice out of the ring, but JC simply pushes his way past the official and drops to ringside as well. As Ice is trying to recover, he finds that it's short-lived as JC plants a boot into the sternum of his opponent and hooks up a suplex on the outside. There is a brief struggle as Ice tries to fight his way out of it, but to no avail as JC gets him up and over. The ref's count has gotten to four at this point, so JC grabs Ice and throws him back into the ring before sliding in himself. Thinking quickly, JC positions Ice's foot on the rope before going for a lateral press. This immediately forces a rope break, and the ref makes certain to force JC away from Ice while the former NLW Champion stirs.

The Phoenix: ...JC, you sly dog. That's a hell of a strategy.

Jake Steel: Looked like he had a brain fart to me, why the hell did he do that?

Caelan Tyler: Rope breaks, Jake. That forced Ice to use his first one of the three allotted.

Jake Steel: Oh, you mean the Wuss Rule?

The Phoenix: ....

As Ice gets to his feet, JC finally decides he's tired of waiting and pulls Ice away from the ropes before sending him over in a snap mare. JC then locks in a surfboard maneuver, again working on the spine and possibly softening Ice up for the Solitaire Unraveling. JC keeps the hold locked in for about a minute before finally releasing it and simply kicking Ice in the spine with a running boot. As Ice winces in pain, JC drops into the first cover of the match:

1...

2...

Kickout just after the two. Undaunted, JC rolls Ice onto his stomach and drives a knee into the small of his opponent's back before picking him off the canvas. JC wastes no motion as he gets Ice Man into a front slam position and then drops Ice back-first across his outstretched knee. Without letting go, JC does it again, and a third time before bending Ice backwards over his knee for a few extra seconds. After finally letting Ice go, JC once again looks for a cover:

1...

2...

Foot on the ropes stops the count!

Caelan Tyler: That is Ice Man's second rope break of the match, and we're still early in.

The Phoenix: JC already has a huge advantage here, as it should start floating through Ice's mind here that he's only got one more 'Get Out of Jail Free' card remaining.

Jake Steel: Wait, so this is Monopoly now? Good God, no wonder this is boring!

The Phoenix: That's not what....you know, never mind. I'm not gonna waste my time.

The smirk that crosses JC's face can be called nothing short of feral as he yanks Ice unceremoniously to his feet and preps him for an Irish whip, only to bury a knee into Ice's gut before he lets go. With his opponent in deep trouble, JC grabs the head of Ice and levels him with an Implant-style DDT! Instead of going for a cover, JC instead measures Ice up before bouncing off the ropes and driving a knee into the forehead of the NLW Legend. It's at this point that JC decides to make the cover, having delivered a little extra punishment to his opponent:

1...

2...

Two and a half only, as Ice gets his left shoulder up. Instead of going for another high-impact move, JC decides to pull Ice back to his feet and lock in an abdominal stretch, using his elbow to dig into the oblique muscles of Ice for that extra level of punishment. The ref leans in to check on Ice, asking if he wants to give it up. Ice's reply of 'NO!' can be heard throughout the arena as JC continues to wrench on the hold.

Jake Steel: Oh, for the love of...can we please get to the--

The Phoenix: Mr. Producer: John-Sierra-Tango-Foxtrot-Union, please.

Jake Steel: What kind of bull--

There is a sudden silence as Jake's voice cuts off.

Caelan Tyler: Uh, Phoenix? What did you just do?

The Phoenix: Phonetic alphabet: JSTFU. 'Jake, shut the fuck up.' You can thank me later.

Caelan Tyler: I need to remember that line....

With Caelan's sanity restored at ringside, Ice is still trying to get out of this hold inside the ring as he finally shifts his weight enough to hip toss JC off of him. The damage has been done, though, as Ice slumps to a knee, clearly shaken up as a result of being in that submission hold. JC doesn't take long to recover and comes back to his feet, looking to continue his assault as he grabs Ice and puts him in position for possibly The Answer or a powerbomb of some type. Before JC can pull off the move, though, Ice goes dead-weight on his opponent, throwing off JC's balance slightly. It's enough for Ice to suddenly stand up, with a firm hold of JC's ankles, and deliver a high-velocity spinebuster before falling back to the canvas himself. Both men are down as the ref steps in to begin the mandatory ten-count.

Caelan Tyler: This could be the break Ice needs to get back into the match, Phoenix.

The Phoenix: And if JC isn't careful, this could be the second straight tournament in which he's ousted in the first round. We're about to find out if Ice still has the heart of a champion, right Jake?

...oh, that's right, I shut you off, didn't I? My bad.

Ice is on a knee at the count of six, and is up at the count of eight at about the same time as JC. The two men stare each other down again, but this time Ice makes the first move with a forearm shot to the bridge of the nose. JC staggers back, and the space that opens is enough for Ice to charge in with a lariat that nearly turns JC inside out. 'The Answer' is down as the NLW Legend moves in for a cover:

1...

2--kickout right at the two. Not wasting any time, Ice picks JC back up and hooks up a suplex, snapping JC over with authority. The former NLW Champion is back up quickly though, and catches JC staggering in with a hard right hand that spins the OWF Tears champion around. That's all the opening the Ice Man needs as he locks in a rear waistlock and heaves backward, sending JC over with a released German suplex! JC crashes hard into the mat as Ice scrambles for a cover:

1...

2...

Foot on the ropes, forcing the break!

The Phoenix: This is where JC's penchant for Pure or Legacy Rules comes into play, Cael. He's worked over Ice Man from the opening bell, and now he just seems to be trying to weather the storm. Having those two remaining rope breaks in his back pocket is another bonus.

Caelan Tyler: But what if Ice proves to be too much?

The Phoenix: I know JC as well as I know Ice. There's a plan brewing inside that head of JC's. The only question is what exactly it is, and how it will come into effect.

As JC starts to stir, Ice ducks out onto the apron, and ascends the turnbuckles nearby. His eyes never leave JC as 'The Answer' gets on two shaky feet and turns towards the corner where Ice is perched...and Ice leaps off the top with a Hail Storm that brings the crowd to its' feet! With a battle cry, Ice signals that he's ready to end this and claim the Legacy title for himself. Grabbing JC by the head, Ice pulls him to his feet before lifting him up into a fireman's carry, looking for the Ice Pick and the victory. However, JC senses it coming and slides out of the move, kicking the Ice Man in the gut and hoisting him into a fireman's carry of his own before dropping Ice into a modified spinebuster!

Caelan Tyler: Solitaire Unraveling!

The Phoenix: And there is the plan I mentioned. But Ice is too close to the ropes, and he's got a rope break left. If JC doesn't catch it, Ice is gonna sneak out of this one!

JC seems to be a bit too winded to note the ring position, and instead hooks the near leg as he goes for a cover:

1...

2...

Thre--there's the foot on the ropes, and only now does JC realize that he just let his best chance so far at the Legacy title slip from his grasp! He pounds the mat, then quickly realizes that Ice has no more rope breaks left, as he leaves the leg on the ropes there and hooks the other leg again. Ref once more slides into position:

1...

2...

Thre--no! Ice barely gets a shoulder up! JC's growl of frustration is quite evident as he gets up, forcefully shoves Ice onto his stomach and locks in a Camel Clutch, wrenching back on it for all he's worth.

Caelan Tyler: If JC keeps this pressure up, we could be looking at our next Legacy champion.

The Phoenix: JC has to be careful now. He has the advantage but his temper is what's going to be the deciding factor. If he can keep it in check, he's in the driver's seat for this match. If he starts to lose it, then that's all Ice will need to take advantage.

For a brief moment, Ice seems to be fading, and fading fast as JC wrenches back on the hold. However, in his haste to put the extra pressure on the hold he moves just enough to allow Ice a bit of leverage, and it's with painful slowness that Ice begins to get to his feet, slowly getting his legs under him until he's standing, with JC in an electric chair position. The camera zooms in on Ice's face--the look is intensity personified before Ice falls backwards, breaking the hold on impact. Both men are slow to get up again, forcing the ref to once more begin a ten-count. This time it's Ice up first at five, and he pulls JC to his feet before whipping JC into the ropes. A clothesline greets JC on the rebound, and Ice has no problems repeating this sequence with the same result. After a third repetition, Ice immediately drops to the mat, locking in a crossface submission that he has no intentions of letting go. JC flails about, trying to work his lower body into a position to reach the ropes, and finally manages to do this after a minute of being caught in that hold. The damage may have already been done, though, as JC seems to be favoring his neck just a bit as he starts to stand back up. Ice is waiting for him, and charges in with a clothesline--JC ducks, Ice off the rebound on the far side, JC looking for the Big Boot of Death--Ice catches the foot in mid-air and hits a textbook dragon screw legwhip! Without preamble, Ice keeps hold of the foot and locks in a standing ankle lock submission, as JC screams in pain!

Caelan Tyler: That sequence looks awful familiar, doesn't it?

The Phoenix: No kidding. Classic counter by Ice, and JC must not have been expecting my trademark to come out of it. He's got a rope break left, though, and he might be thinking to use it here.

With Ice in a standing position, it makes it slightly easier for JC to get to the ropes, using his final rope break in the process.. Ice breaks the hold long enough to get the ref off his back before trying to pull JC to his feet. The OWF Tears champion counters with a stiff thrust to the throat, staggering Ice back a few steps. With a roar that seems to say 'And now I end you,' JC blasts the Ice Man with an elbow strike before hoisting him into position for a second Solitaire Unraveling. This time, though, Ice has it scouted and slips out the back door, delivering a forearm shot of his own before hoisting JC up into position...ICE PICK! JC is down, dead center of the ring as Ice falls into the cover:

1...

2...

3!

The bell sounds as Ice slides off of JC, looking exhausted at the war he's just been through. The sound of applause can be heard from the commentator's booth as Phoenix has risen to his feet, applauding not only the match but what has just transpired.

Zach King: Here is your winner, and the first-ever NLW Triple Crown Winner...your NEW NLW Legacy Champion...THE ICE MAN!

Caelan Tyler: Ice has done it! Another accolade to be added to his legendary resume!

The Phoenix: I had said I came back to be the first person to do it, to be the first Triple Crown winner. If not me, I'm damn glad it was him who got it. Way to go, Ice.

Jake Steel: Oh, spare me the fucking sob stories, already.

Caelan Tyler: Uh, Jake, you're back on the air.

Jake Steel: It's about damn time, too, the fans were leaving in droves because they couldn't hear my wonderful voice!

The Phoenix: Maybe I should leave you on mute for the next match too, Jake.

Jake Steel: In your dreams, lard-ass!

The Phoenix: I did it once, Jake, I can do it again.

Caelan Tyler: Guys, can we focus on what's coming next? It's the last match in the qualifying round for tonight's main event.

Jake Steel: Where both people hate the other guy sitting next to you, Cael, so I'd be ready to move if they come this way!

Caelan Tyler: While I doubt it'll go to that length, Jake is correct in saying that once again, both men have had a history with you, Phoenix.

The Phoenix: Cael, I try to pride myself on being a professional. I have respect for Draco, that man pushed me to my limits more than once. As for his opponent, I'm not going to say anything that is going to come back to haunt me as the standing Commissioner of NLW. My personal thoughts are my own, and I'm not going to air them here where people may take them as the official opinions of NLW.

Jake Steel: Then why don't you leave, you yellow bastard?

The Phoenix: Because I'd rather make you miserable. Zach, get us started before I have to choke a bitch.

Zach King: Ladies and gentlemen, the following contest is scheduled for one fall, with the victor earning the third and final spot in tonight's main event match!

After another slight pause, the arena is quickly cast into a state of darkness. In the blackened arena an air raid siren sounds causing most of the fans to press their fingers against their ears in a failed attempt to block out of the. On either side of the entrance ramp two rotating red lights shine showing that the entrance way through a thick fog. Through the siren bullets can be heard, and then soon after it escalates to missiles and bombs going off. A guitar starts to play a rift and gun fire is seen crossing back and forth across the stage making it look like a war zone.

During the lyrics even more smoke and gun fire had filled the stage. A silhouette appeared in the center of it all. No features can be made out through the thick fog and smoke at the entrance way. The figure's head is bowed as the bullets continue to whiz by his head getting closer and closer.

The music continues and the screen above the entrance way comes to life with what looks to be a piece of glass. The glass cracks and spiderwebs, but doesn't break. The cracks spell out the next lyric that the singer belts out.

Moving forward through the fog and all its hazards, the figure slowly lifts his head. The figure can be seen with a hooded sleeveless black T-shirt and a pair of black jeans. His chest is bare and gives us the clue to his identity. The sickening pale white scars spelling out no hope mark him as 'The Hellacious One' Draco. He walks through the fog managing to avoid harm from the gun fire trading back and forth.

Making his way through the war zone that was the entrance way without a scratch, Draco climbs into the ring. He throws his head up tossing the hood off to reveal his face. The fans cheer as he holds his arms above his head. He takes off his hooded shirt and tosses it into the crowd. Draco then leans against the ropes, staring across the ring at his competition.

Zach King: The following match is scheduled for one fall with the winner advancing to tonight main event! Introducing first... From Whitesboro, New York... weighing 204 pounds... 'THE HELLACIOUS ONE' DRACO!

Caelan Tyler: Draco returns, still the GCWA World Champion, and you have to figure that wanting to become a double world champion is clearly in mind.

Jake Steel: That, and the man takes no crap from anybody. This may be one of the few non-ABUSE matches I could enjoy.

The Phoenix: That's a shock...

The lights go black as a deep, eerie growl is heard over the PA. Immediately we hear dirty, distorted guitars come in before being followed by the drums kicking in. The second verse of 'Motel of the White Locust' by Glassjaw hits the PA System.

Now I kiss up to God, my fists and I pray to keep my head.
Though I like your pretty eyes better blackened,
And my fists all fucking red.
Through sickness and health, I've kissed up to God.
Two years, I have focused...
On the cameos made by the tiger in the valley of the fucking
locust.
Who could ever...
Who the fuck could ever...
Take the place of me?
Who could ever...
Who the fuck could ever...
No one can take the place of me.

After the chorus, we see Jesse Williams walk out from the back as the lights come back up to a normal setting, shining upon the entire arena. He takes his time walking towards the ring, making sure to take in all his surroundings. The fans giving him a mixed reaction, still not sure what to make of him as he keeps his eyes set on the ring. He gets to the bottom of the ramp and stops as the music starts to kick back in.

Wipe off your mouth!
Get up off your knees, and make me your god!
Who could ever,
Who the fuck could ever?
It's sexual debauchery you fucking cunt, you fucking whore, you
cost what you're worth.

He slides into the ring, directly under the bottom rope, smiling wide for all to see. He walks to the side of the ring closest to the cameras and reaches around behind him with his left hand.

Followed by a boy like this,
Reignited by all your visits.
As long as your mouth is shut,
You'll still be fucking beautiful.

Jesse turns to face Draco with his music fading out, and the crowd growing even louder in preparation for this match.

Zach King: And his opponent... from Las Vegas, Nevada... Weighing in at 235 pounds... JESSE WILLIAMS!

Caelan Tyler: The OWF Heavyweight Champion seems determined to once again have both the OWF and NLW Championships in his possession simultaneously. I wouldn't bet against him.

Jake Steel: Yeah, Phoenix, you'd know all about that, wouldn't you?

The Phoenix: .....

The bell sounds to get this match underway, and both men are cautious as they move to the center of the ring. Jesse looks for a tie-up but Draco wants none of that, nailing Williams in the jaw with a stiff right hand before applying a side headlock. Jesse is quick to slip behind with a hammerlock, which Draco counters into a hammerlock of his own before shoving Jesse away. Williams turns, ready to attack again, and Draco slaps the taste out of his mouth with a vile open-handed slap! As Jesse staggers back a step, Draco takes Williams down with a snap mare and cinches in a rear chinlock, his eyes moving over to the third man in the announcer's booth.

Caelan Tyler: Draco's got the early advantage, but I'm certain he, Jesse, and everyone else have at least one eye turned to you, Phoenix.

Jake Steel: Yeah, so when you make an ass out of yourself in this match, they can laugh at you for doing it!

The Phoenix: Draco needs to worry about Jesse. I'm not getting involved in this match, and he should know by now that it's not my M.O. to interfere.

It only takes Jesse a few seconds to wriggle out of the rest hold, and it's right back to a tie-up once again. This time, Jesse rakes the eyes of Draco before a side headlock takedown sends the Hellacious One to the mat. Draco gets the legs up to put Jesse in a head-scissors, which Jesse quickly kicks out of. Both men back to their feet, and again Jesse takes advantage with a running clothesline that sends Draco down. Not losing his momentum, Williams continues to the ropes, and comes back on the rebound with a low dropkick that catches Draco on the left temple. Jesse falls into a quick cover, looking maybe to steal one here:

1...

2--no, kickout with ease by Draco. Jesse is back on his feet in a moment, again coming off the ropes as Draco gets to his feet, and a spinning head scissors sends Draco under the bottom ropes and to the base of the announcer's table!

Jake Steel: Cael, you're on your own with the fat bastard here.

Caelan Tyler: Jake, get back here!

As Jake throws down his headset and Cael runs after him, Jesse rolls outside and picks up Draco, slamming his head into the commentator's table as he looks at Phoenix with a cold, unnerving stare. Phoenix's headset picks up Jesse's voice:

JW: You're not going to stop me, Will. You can't stop me.

Then, after a second shot to the announcer's table, Jesse throws Draco back inside before looking at Phoenix again and imitating a sore neck. Williams then finally gets back onto the apron, slingshots himself over the rope and hits a senton with ease. The OWF Champion's face is the epitome of smugness as he grabs Draco by the hair and pulls him to his feet. Still with a handful of hair, Jesse backs himself into the corner, hopping onto the second rope as he applies a front chancery before jumping off with a tornado DDT that shakes the ring. Jesse moves into a cover, hooking the far leg:

1...

2...

Kickout at two and a half! Without missing a beat, Jesse pulls Draco up into a fireman's carry position, and turns to face the announcer's table. The camera shot goes to a behind-the-shoulder shot of Phoenix as Jesse looks the man he injured dead in the face before delivering a textbook Death Valley Driver. Cover by Williams:

1...

2...

Foot on the ropes breaks the count.

Caelan Tyler: Check one, check--

The Phoenix: We can hear you, Cael.

Jake Steel: What's wrong, Phoenix? Afraid that Jesse's going to go beyond breaking your neck and instead shattering it this time?

The Phoenix: muttering Biggest mistake you can make against Draco, Jesse...don't wrestle like me. You're just gonna piss him off.

Jake Steel: What was that, Phoenix? You want to do what to Caelan's mom?

Caelan Tyler: If Phoenix comes after you, Jake, I'm not getting in his way.

Turning back to his opponent, Williams pulls Draco to his feet and again sends him into the ropes. Jesse comes off the near-side ropes, leaps into the air for a crossbody, but Draco stops short and dropkicks Jesse in the lower abdomen. Jesse falls to the mat, holding himself as if Draco caught him low...and a replay shows up, showing that perhaps Draco did just that, with the referee out of position and unable to see the questionable action. Back to live action, both men are down as the ref begins his mandatory count. It's not until the count of six that either man moves, Jesse trying to push his way to his feet while Draco has made it to the ropes to use for leverage. At eight, Jesse is up, staggering towards Draco as the Hellacious One gets on his feet. Jesse throws a right hand, which Draco blocks and returns with one of his own. Jesse tries again, and again is foiled. Draco then starts turning up the tempo, hammering away at Jesse with right hands that stagger the OWF Champion. The GCWA Champion whips Williams into the ropes, where a kick to the gut precedes a short hair-assisted backbreaker, and Jesse suddenly is in trouble now as Draco begins to assert himself! Draco then comes off the ropes and catches a sitting Jesse in the small of a back with a low dropkick, and Draco is quick to try a cover:

1...

2...

Shoulder up just after the two!

Caelan Tyler: And now Draco's got the upper hand, looking like he might be setting up When All Else Fails.

The Phoenix: It won't work.

Caelan Tyler: Come again?

The Phoenix: Williams expects people to work on his back. He's built a mental wall to not let anyone beat him with that focus; I've seen it first-hand.

Jake Steel: Look, just because you couldn't get the job done--

The Phoenix: If you value your life, Jake, then shut up now.

After getting beat up on for the early part of the match, Draco seems to be running on all cylinders now as The Hellacious One stands a few feet away from Jesse, eyeing him closely as Williams starts to get to his feet.. The OWF Champion gets to a knee as Draco charges in and almost destroys Jesse with a shining wizard! The impact can nearly be heard outside of the arena as Jesse flops back onto the mat. Instead of going for a cover, though, Draco hauls Jesse to his feet and lifts him up into a fireman's carry. Draco then spins Jesse off of him, for a moment looking perhaps for the Ice Pick, but instead Draco extends a knee and watches with satisfaction as Jesse's head and throat crash across the knee in question. Now Draco decides to go for a cover:

1...

2...

Thre--no! Two and three-quarters as Williams is somehow able to wriggle a shoulder free! With Jesse still a bit stunned, Draco grabs both legs of his opponent and flips him over into a submission hold.

Caelan Tyler: Draco with a move we haven't seen before from him, he calls that 'Inner Rage.' And now he's got a New York Crab locked in.

Jake Steel: Whatever it was, he needs to do it again. That looked sick! Certainly looked a lot better than this boring submission hold.

The ref leans down to Jesse, asking if he wants to give it up. Williams doesn't even bother to deign the official with a response, instead crawling on his elbows to reach the ropes and finally grab on to them in order to force the break. Draco keeps the hold applied until the very last moment, using the referee's five-count for all that he can. As he releases the legs, Draco heads to the corner, stepping out onto the apron and climbing up top, watching Jesse pull himself to his feet. Williams finally does so, and that is the opening the GCWA Champion was looking for as he leaps off, catching Williams with a missile dropkick to the back of the head! Draco is quick to scramble into a cover, dead center of the ring:

1...

2...

Thre--no! Jesse kicks out as the ref's hand was about three inches off the mat! Draco hits the mat once, shaking his head in frustration as he gets to his feet and heads to the corner, his legs bouncing slightly as he eyes up his target. Jesse slowly, shakily gets to his feet, and Draco charges in without even waiting for Jesse to turn around, launching himself into the air for his trademark Sick Kick...but Jesse ducks and Draco lands hard on the mat! Jesse seems to have gotten a brief spurt of adrenaline as he puts Draco into an Oklahoma roll for the pin attempt:

1...

2...

Two and a half only, as Draco kicks out!

Caelan Tyler: Could this be the opening Jesse needs to seal the match?

Jake Steel: Better question, Cael: Do we care?

The Phoenix: Draco needs to shake off that missed kick and go back to work on the head of Jesse. That's where he's gotten his success from so far in this match, and a few more high-impact moves could be all he needs.

Both men are on their feet at about the same time, and Draco is first to fire with a right hand. Jesse doesn't even bother punching back, simply kicking Draco in the gut before hitting a European uppercut. Draco rocks back, then shifts his body forward, using his own momentum as he hits Jesse with both fists square on the jaw. Jesse staggers back to the ropes, then suddenly charges forward with a spinning heel kick that sends Draco down. Shaking his head briefly to clear out the cobwebs, Jesse sees Draco getting to his feet and charges in, hitting a Roaring Elbow to send Draco back down to the mat. Williams wastes no time as he heads outside, climbing the turnbuckles nearest to Draco and lining him up. With the entire audience thinking that Laid to Waste is coming, Jesse fools everyone as he comes off looking for a double stomp, only for Draco to have rolled out of the way. Jesse tucks into a roll on the missed impact, coming up favoring his left ankle slightly. Williams turns around only to be met with a vile superkick from Draco! Jesse falls to the mat, but instead of going for a cover Draco pulls Jesse to his feet and moves him into the corner.

Caelan Tyler: Momentum Shift! Draco could be moments away from a huge victory here!

The Phoenix: muttering Careful, Draco...he's setting you up, I can feel it. Don't do it.

Jake Steel: What the hell you muttering about now, fat boy? Having flashbacks?

The Phoenix: ....

Draco rams Jesse's head into the top turnbuckle a couple of times before setting him on top, facing the audience. Draco climbs up as well, looking for Hellacious and the victory. As he leaps onto Jesse's shoulders, though, Jesse stands up, grabbing Draco's legs and keeping him in position. Draco tries to get out of it, but Jesse's having no part of that as he falls backward with Draco to connect with a super electric chair drop! Draco takes most of the impact on his back, but his head bounces off the mat as well as he lies motionless in the ring. Jesse absorbed a bit of that impact as well, though, and he barely manages to crawl over for a cover as a stunned audience looks on:

1...

2...

3...?

3!

The bell sounds, as Jesse slowly gets to his feet, looking the worse for wear except for the smirk plastered on his face.

Zach King: Here is your winner, and the final entrant into the main event: JESSE WILLIAMS!

Caelan Tyler: Jesse advances in a match that had to take its' toll on him!

Jake Steel: I'm calling it right now, Cael. Jesse will become the NLW Champion tonight! Who is going to stop him?

Caelan Tyler: A number of people may think you're right, Jake. Phoenix?

The Phoenix: Cael, I think that's my cue to exit before I say or do something I'll regret. Enjoy the main event, gentlemen.

Phoenix drops his headset and begins to head backstage, while Jesse is still celebrating in the ring.

Jake Steel: Finally, the fat bastard is gone. I was starting to get claustrophobic over here!

Caelan Tyler: Jake, I know he's a big guy, but is that necessary?

Jake Steel: Of course it is! Why do you think he doubles as a part-time Santa in the mall?

Caelan Tyler: ...That's not what claustrophobic means, Jake.