The parking lot is abuzz with chatter in Mobile, Alabama, as the NLW crew runs crazy in preparation for the live Uprising show.

A white Cadillac, sporting a few dents and a lengthy scratch down the driver's side, pulls into the parking lot with Caelan Tyler behind the wheel. He begins to open the door and step out, but a shiny black Hummer rumbles up next to him, causing him to swing the door shut so it isn't knocked off. Josh Allen steps out of the hummer. Caelan exits his vehicle and walks up to Josh, who is strapping his NLW Championship on.

Caelan Tyler: Sweet new ride Allen. What's up?

They shake hands as Josh slams his door and pats the Hummer on the hood.

Josh Allen: Test driving it. Thinking about buying some new wheels and I've always loved the hummer. There's just something about its bulky size that says there's no stopping it.

Caelan nods as he adjusts his large carry-along bag on his shoulder.

Caelan Tyler: Well, staff meeting in five. Later.

Josh Allen: Hey, hey, wait, where's Steel?

Caelan Tyler: Should be right behind me. Later!

Caelan walks toward the building and enters. Allen looks around as a dark red sports car whips into the parking spot on the right side of Caelan's car. Steel emerges and Josh quickly approaches from behind, and without giving any warning, takes Jake by the hair and back of his shirt and throws him into the grill of the hummer. Jake hits hard and arches his back as he falls to the pavement.

Josh Allen: Come on, you tough son of a bitch!

Allen kicks Steel in the gut several times, then lifts him up and spits in his face as Steel nearly cries trying to get away.

Josh Allen: You think you're a comedian? You want to play games with me?

Allen suddenly lifts Steel into the air and throws him onto the windshield of the Hummer, cracking it in millions of directions, but not shattering it. Steel's head knocks a small dent into the hood of the Hummer. Steel screams in pain as blood trickles from the cut on the back of his head.

Josh Allen: 'A real man will walk it off.'

Josh straightens his shirt, readjusts his title belt and leaves to go inside.

Josh Allen: On second thought, that Hummer looks like shit.

'Game On' by Discipline begins to play as the words 'NLW' flash across the screen, and the scene flashes back to last Uprising. Nick James fought a hard battle and picked up a victory over Eddie Williams; Ray Lopes handed out a beating to Emanuel Jackson; and Corbin Damari took out Okuma. The scene cuts to ringside, with Caelan Tyler and NLW Champion Josh Allen. Caelan, having watched the highlights from last Uprising, is whispering to Allen.

Caelan Tyler: Wasn't there supposed to be a highlight of Ethan Dashery pinning you?

Josh Allen: I deleted it. Shut the hell up. We live? We're live!

Caelan Tyler: Oh, right! Hello ladies and gentlemen and welcome to another edition of NLW Uprising, live from right here in Mobile, Alabama! I'm Caelan Tyler, and this man next to me is NOT Jake Steel!

Josh Allen: I think Jake Steel is a little under the weather, and being the nice guy I am, I volunteered to come out and fill in for him, seeing as how I wasn't booked this week. I think any NLW Champion should be willing to sacrifice for the good of the show, for the good of the company.

Caelan Tyler: Eriq doesn't know you're out here, does he?

Josh Allen: Not a clue.

Caelan Tyler: Well tonight, what a great main event we have for you! On the last Uprising, Eriq threw together a blockbuster event pitting the NLW Legacy Champion Nick James in a match against one of the newer talents to NLW - Ray Lopes!

Josh Allen: A guy who thinks it's okay to stick his nose in everyone else's business. Back there begging Eriq for a title match with me. Who the hell does he think he is, anyway? You can bet your ass I'll have a little something to say on the matter.

Caelan Tyler: And we also have a tag team match featuring Okuma and Corbin Damari against Roxy Erikson and Ethan Dashery, the cheater who screwed my best friend JA out of the non-title match on the last Uprising. Let's hope they hire a good referee for this tag team match, because we sure as hell don't want to see another screw job by Dashery.

Josh Allen: Caelan, Caelan, don't be so hard on the guy. It takes real talent to be a great cheater. I give him credit for that. Let's be honest, the way that match was going, he simply beat me to the punch. And if you ever bring it up again, I'll kick your ass just like I did Steel's. Understood?

Caelan Tyler: Eep.

Josh Allen: Alright, let's get this show started here!

Caelan Tyler: I'll keep my mouth shut about it.

Josh Allen: Shush!

Cut to the back where we see Ray still in his regular clothing entering into the arena carrying his bag, which one can presume has his wrestling gear in it. He looks stressed, perhaps from what he's been going through leading up to tonight. Charisma Finch the backstage interviewer for NLW approaches him for an interview.

Charisma Finch: Ray!

He turns to Charisma as she sticks her hand out to introduce herself.

Charisma Finch: Hi, Charisma Finch.

Ray drops his bag to shake her hand.

Ray Lopes: How can I help you?

Charisma Finch: Well, I'd like to ask you a few things about your match tonight with Nick James and what you really think about Josh Allen amongst other things.

Ray Lopes: You want to know what I think about Josh Allen? I think he's a prick that's what I think about him!

Charisma Finch: Okay, well how do you think you match up against him and do you think the two of you will be meeting in the ring anytime soon?

Ray Lopes: I don't know that's something for Eriq Mobley and my agent to talk about.

He grits his teeth at the mentioning of his agent.

Ray Lopes: As far as how I match up against him, I think I match up pretty well against anybody I face in the ring, regardless of what style they bring, I'm a pretty versatile guy myself you'll see that when I take on Nick James tonight!

Charisma Finch: How well do you know Nick James?

Ray Lopes: Let's see I met him back when he was about 15 or 16 years old a few years ago. Back then I was a rookie wrestling up in Canada with his father, who I learned a thing or two from being in a stable with him and all. I haven't had too many conversations with Nick though, so I can't really say that I know him all that well. From what I’ve seen of him in the ring, he's definitely a better wrestler than his father at least physically he is, but then again his father never really relied on physically beating his opponents, so that's a moot point.

Charisma Finch: So what kind of a match are you expecting tonight?

Ray Lopes: A spirited one! I expect Nick to throw everything he's got at me and put his body on the line just like he does in all of his matches. I know he fancies himself a daredevil, but you know with that style you do just as much if not more damage to yourself than you do your opponent, so I plan on using that to my advantage definitely.

Charisma Finch: Interesting, well good luck tonight!

Ray Lopes: Thanks.

Ray picks his bag back up and then walks away.

Caelan Tyler: Well it sounds like Ray Lopes is prepared for his match against Nick James tonight.

Josh Allen: He's going to have to be, that kid is absolutely insane.

Caelan Tyler: Plus it didn't sound like he thinks too highly of you.

Josh Allen: He's just jealous of the gold Cael, they all are.

The soft piano in Pennywise's 'Unknown Road' begins to play melodically throughout the arena. The calming melody almost soothing to the crowd, roars of cheers or jeers are contained to solitary shouts from random attendants rather than the group as a whole. A few moments pass, and Corbin Damari emerges from the back with a domineering presence, but not one of hostility or pride - merely the subtle resolve of determination. Without losing stride, he glances out over the arena inquisitively before giving a satisfactory nod. Upon reaching the ring, he uses the stairs to guide his way into the squared circle. The melody of 'Unknown Road' still ringing through the arena, keeping the crowd at bay. A few more moments pass which seem to last a life time, before the melody begins to drift off. Corbin merely stands in his corner, head bowed, pacing, in some what of a pre-match meditation. Once the music has finally faded out, his head raises, determination radiates from his eyes as the sound of the bell is awaited in quiet contemplation.

Zach King: The following match is scheduled for one fall and is a tag team match! Introducing first, from New York City, New York... weighing in at 215 pounds... CORBIN DAMARI!

Caelan Tyler: Damari has looked very impressive since debuting with NLW several shows ago, beating both Emanuel Jackson and Okuma by submission.

Josh Allen: He's definitely shown some skill so far, but he's going to have a much more difficult time getting those kinds of holds locked in on a top guy like yours truly.

Lights go out as the crowd ohhhs and ahhs in anticipation. Evolution by Ayumi Hamasaki begins as a light show plays. Okuma followed by his ring entourage begins to run through the hallway and out to the entrance area. His (and the entourage's) run slows to a walk as the crowd cheers him down the entrance way. A spotlight flashes down on him and follows him all the way.

As Okuma comes down the aisle, he is attacked from behind by Dashery, who blasts him with a double axe handle to the base of the neck before putting the boots to him! Damari sees this and leaves the ring to assist his partner, but is assaulted by Ethan's partner, Roxy Erikson, as she darts around the brawling pair in the aisle and takes down Corbin with a double leg takedown. All four participants are fighting in the aisle, and the match hasn't even begun officially yet!

Caelan Tyler: Whoa, things have gotten out of hand quickly here tonight!

Josh Allen: Nothing like a good beatdown to lift your spirits. Just ask Jake Steel, I'd be willing to wager he's as high as a kite with all the pain killers they probably had to give him.

Caelan Tyler: ...

The ref comes out to try to get some order restored, but all four wrestlers continue to fight on the outside, not even bothering to listen to the official. Finally, Dashery pulls Okuma to his feet and throws him into the ring, following in himself. With two wrestlers finally in the ring, the ref calls for the bell as he slides in himself, making the match official. Ethan continues to hammer away at Okuma, not letting the technical wrestler get a chance to lock in a hold. Dashery tries this one time too many, though, and Okuma is able to move his head to the side to dodge one of Ethan's punches, and the aggressor is forced to stop his offense as he punches the mat. Shaking his hand, Ethan tries to get some feeling back into it, but is caught off guard as Okuma raises his legs up and gets Dashery in a modified Sunset Flip! Ref floats over for the cover, but only gets one as Ethan gets his shoulder up.

Caelan Tyler: Looks like Okuma's recovered enough from the assault to open the match to get some momentum going in his favor.

Josh Allen: Momentum is important. Remember Gold Rush? That's what momentum can do for you.

Caelan Tyler: That was pretty impressive.

Josh Allen: Damn right it was. I'm sure some day these guys hope to get that kind of run going at some point.

Dashery is up first, but Okuma stops him coming in with a palm thrust to the gut, followed by a forearm to the side of the head that staggers Ethan against the ropes. Okuma follows up with an Irish whip, and catches Ethan on the rebound with a stiff forearm to the temple. Ethan drops like a sack of potatoes, one hand immediately going to his neck as he winces in pain. Okuma sees the weakness immediately and pounces, cinching in a rear chinlock that he puts a great deal of pressure on. Dashery scrambles wildly, trying to get to the ropes and gets lucky to catch the bottom strand with his foot to force the break. Calmly, Okuma pulls Ethan to his feet and drags him over to Okuma's corner, where he tags Corbin Damari into the contest. As Corbin enters, Okuma hits a drop toe hold on Dashery, and Damari follows this up with an elbow drop to the back of the head. Okuma heads out of the ring as Corbin falls into the cover:

1...

2...

Shoulder up--barely--at two and a half!

Caelan Tyler: Nice teamwork there by Damari and Okuma, who don't seem to be showing any sort of ill will from last Uprising.

Josh Allen: You're just asking for trouble if you're not all business in there. Trust me.

Caelan Tyler: Well both competitors have definitely shown themselves to be 'all business' in the ring.

Josh Allen: Pretty much the opposite of what Jake Steel does on commentary.

Caelan Tyler: Thank you! About time someone acknowledges that.

Josh Allen: Quiet you.

Pulling Dashery to his feet, Corbin sets up for another Irish whip, but Ethan hangs on to the ropes on the opposite side, grimacing at the slight whiplash before scrambling over and slapping the hand of an unsuspecting Roxy Erikson. To say that Roxy looks upset is an understatement as Ethan rolls under the ropes and kneels on the apron, one hand still trying to work some circulation into his neck. Erikson comes in the ring, sizing up her opponent as Damari backs towards the center of the ring. As Roxy closes in, Corbin looks for a collar-and-elbow tie-up, but gets nothing except a thumb to the eye. With the brief advantage, Erikson kicks Corbin in the gut, and then again in his face as he doubles over. Damari falls to the mat as Roxy assumes a mount position and begins to blatantly choke him, forcing the ref to start his five-count. Roxy breaks at four and a half, then looks up at the ref and clearly yells, 'I've got five, dammit!'

Caelan Tyler: Vicious set of moves by Roxy to start up her time in this match.

Josh Allen: Remind me not to pick a bar fight with her, it wouldn't do me any good to have some crazy chick maim my face or something like that.

Caelan Tyler: Well didn't you beat a 'crazy chick' to win that championship for the first time?

Josh Allen: Yeah, and I used a taser on her and handcuffed the bitch to a cage. I have a responsibility to make sure NLW is the best it can be Cael.

Caelan Tyler: And you accomplish this by cheating?

Josh Allen: A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do, not that you'd know how that is.

After berating the ref, Roxy repeats the choke with the same result. As she goes a third time, though, Corbin reaches up and hits a right hand to stun her, allowing him enough leverage to shove her off of him. Quickly getting to a vertical base, Corbin delivers a forearm to the back of the head, staggering Roxy before he reaches back to tag in Okuma. Okuma is wary climbing into the ring, looking for the right spot to target before deciding on the back with a slap kick to the small of Roxy's back, followed by a palm thrust to the same location before taking her legs out from under her. As he tries to get into position for a follow-up move, though, Erikson lashes out and manages to catch Okuma in the knee with a kick, stopping the offense before it can really begin. Getting to her feet, she punches the throat of Okuma--which the ref warns her about doing--before raking the eyes and back of the technical wrestler.

Caelan Tyler: Damari and Okuma briefly regained the advantage there against Roxy, but her brawling style and questionable tactics allowed her to get back in the game.

Josh Allen: Questionable? She's doing what it takes to win.

Caelan Tyler: You don't think eye rakes and chokes are questionable?

Josh Allen: Not as questionable as your mom!

Caelan Tyler: ...

Josh Allen: Hey, I had to try it once to see why Jake enjoys saying that so much.

With an advantage, Roxy is able to land a running facecrusher on Okuma, and goes for a cover without realizing that Okuma's foot was under the bottom rope. After hearing this from the ref, she just shrugs and proceeds to once again choke Okuma, this time actually drawing the ref into physically pulling her off of Okuma to give her a verbal beating. In the meantime, Ethan reaches over and tags himself into the match as Roxy stares daggers at the youngster. Ethan is quick to pull Okuma away from the ropes slightly and drop into a cover, hooking the leg nearest the ropes:

1...

2...

Kickout right after two!

Pulling Okuma to his feet, Ethan whips his opponent into the ropes, and looks for a flying forearm...but Okuma ducks, and Ethan crashes into the mat, his head bouncing off the canvas mere moments after his shoulder impacts the mat.

Caelan Tyler: Dashery certainly misjudged that maneuver.

Josh Allen: That's what a lack of experience in the ring will get you, moments like that.

The look on Okuma's face says it all: he sees a weakness and is ready to take Dashery apart piece by piece. His next move further symbolizes that realization, as he locks in a camel clutch to wrench the head and neck of Dashery further. Ethan is screaming out in pain, desperately reaching for the ropes that are just outside his grasp. Digging an elbow into the canvas, he manages to pull himself forward about two inches...but that's just enough where his fingers brush the bottom rope to force the break. After (reluctantly) breaking the submission hold, Okuma pulls Dashery to his corner and tags in Damari once again. Okuma gets Dashery in a front head chancery, which Corbin imitates on the opposite side. With a nod, both men lift up Dashery a little before planting him into the mat with a double Implant DDT! Okuma rolls out of the ring as Corbin goes for a cover:

1...

2...

Thre--Roxy comes in to make the save!

Caelan Tyler: Dashery's getting worked over now by the two submission specialists, which can't possibly be good for his neck.

Josh Allen: Can't possibly... Do you always have to state the completely obvious?

Caelan Tyler: Well, it's my job to do the play by play...

Josh Allen: Yes, as in calling the match, not stating facts that anyone with half a brain could see.

Caelan Tyler: Well too be fair, I usually have to call the match with Jake.

Josh Allen: ...Touché.

The ref turns to admonish her, but Erikson's already heading out of the ring, the damage done. Damari is on his feet, all but begging Ethan to get up while signaling for The Milieu, looking to focus further on the neck and possibly putting an end to this match. Dashery finally stands, wobbly on his feet as Corbin closes in. As soon as he touches Dashery, though, Ethan tries a go-behind, looking to avoid any further damage to his neck. This doesn't work as planned as Damari rocks Dashery with a back elbow, and quickly locks in the Milieu, dead center of the ring! Ethan is fading fast, and Roxy apparently knows this as she comes into the ring to break the hold. The ref is forced to attend to her, completely missing the fact that Ethan has stopped moving and is quite unconscious. Finally, Damari drops the hold and goes over to deal with Erikson himself as she wisely gets out of the ring. A bit irate, Damari falls into a cover on Dashery, knowing that his opponent is unconscious:

1...

2...

Roxy with a kick to the head to break the count! As she leaves the ring, oblivious to the referee's screaming, Corbin tags in Okuma, who looks down at the practically unconscious Dashery with an amused smirk on his face.

Caelan Tyler: This match should've been over by now, but Roxy is somehow keeping her team alive here.

Josh Allen: That's kind of what you gotta do in tag matches, if your partner is done for you're done for.

Caelan Tyler: So what was that about stating the obvious?

Josh Allen: Quiet you.

Instead of going for a submission maneuver focusing on the neck, Okuma instead decides to make his opponent feel pain all over, as he drives a series of knees into the back of Dashery, softening him up and also making sure that he's aware enough to feel the pain that's incoming. Without any further preamble, Okuma grabs the legs and quickly applies the Deathlock, making sure that Ethan is nowhere near the ropes as he leans back on the hold. Ethan is screaming with pain at this point, with tears coming from his eyes as he tries to hang on. Finally with no choice left, he taps...but the ref doesn't see it! The ref is trying to forcibly remove Erikson from the ring, who is causing all sorts of hassle on the other side of the ring to distract the official! Okuma finally drops the hold, turning to where Roxy still has the ref distracted. She sees this, and quickly gets out of the ring as Okuma comes over, screaming in Japanese at her.

Caelan Tyler: Roxy again with the distraction to save Dashery's bacon.

Josh Allen: Looks like Dashery is making a habit of having women bail him out of trouble.

Caelan Tyler: He'll probably be pissed off when he hears about that.

Josh Allen: Good, I'll send him the audio clip.

After a few seconds of this, Okuma realizes that he should continue the attack, and turns back to where Dashery is starting to get his wits about him. The ref is finishing up with Roxy, and so misses the blatant crotch shot from Dashery, sending Okuma down in a heap! Finally, the ref turns around to see both men down on the mat, and so starts his ten count. Okuma is clearly in the better condition, and gets the tag to Damari easily. Ethan, on the other hand, barely manages to make it to his corner and weakly hit the hand of Erikson, who comes in with all guns firing. Damari is sent down with a clothesline, and a second for good measure. Okuma comes in at this point, and Roxy uses his own momentum against him to end him careening into Corbin. With both opponents in a heap, Roxy is quick to use a splash to damage both Corbin and Okuma before shoving Okuma off of the pile and going for a cover on Damari:

1...

2...

Shoulder up at two and a half!

Caelan Tyler: Roxy taking control of the match pretty much from the second she got back into it, although having not seen much action I'm not too surprised by that.

Josh Allen: Oh come on, that woman's seen plenty of action.

Caelan Tyler: ...Not that kind of action Josh.

Josh Allen: ...Oh.

Roxy breaks the cover, getting to her feet and grabbing Corbin to drag him to his feet. Okuma, in the meantime, has managed to get back in his corner. Erikson hits Damari with kick to the gut that looked borderline illegal, but the ref allows it as Roxy sets up for a DDT of some kind. At least, that was the plan before Corbin counters into a northern lights suplex, bridged into the cover:

1...

2...

Shoulder up at two and a half!

With Roxy stunned, Corbin immobilizes her and reaches out, making the tag to Okuma once again. Okuma hops over the prone body of Damari and drops an elbow on the back of Roxy before quickly locking in a crossface submission. It doesn't last long, though, as Roxy is able to twist her lower body to get a foot draped over the ropes. Forced to break the hold, Okuma pulls Roxy to her feet and lands a hard kick to the side. He does this a second time, and a third for good measure, forcing Roxy near the center of the ring. With a step or two backwards, Okuma charges in looking for a Roaring Elbow, but Roxy ducks out of the way and simply kicks Okuma in the back of the knee to send him down before turning to Corbin and simply raising her middle finger at him.

Josh Allen: Classy.

Caelan Tyler: Well, I suppose this isn't Ring of Honor...

This is enough to draw Damari into the ring, but before the ref can admonish him Ethan reaches over and tags himself back into the match, which the ref acknowledges. Roxy is pissed, to put it lightly, and screams at Ethan as he shakily comes into the ring. The ref is distracted with trying to divert Corbin out of the ring, and as the shouting match between the heels continues, Roxy decides that she's had enough, cold-cocking Dashery in the jaw with a right hand! This staggers Ethan backwards, the back of his head colliding with Damari's face. Both men collapse in a heap, with Ethan on top of Damari. The ref...slides in for a count?

1...

2...

Okuma tries to break it up, but gets chop blocked by Roxy!

3! The ref just counted the illegal man out for the pin! The bell sounds as Roxy bails, leaving her partner to rot in the ring with two people who are more than likely going to be angry at the result.

Zach King: Here are your winners: ETHAN DASHERY AND ROXY ERIKSON!

Caelan Tyler: Dashery and Roxy just stole one in the confusion! Why did the ref count the pin, he knew Damari wasn't legal!

Josh Allen: Probably paid him off.

Caelan Tyler: *sighs*

Dashery rolls himself out of the ring, a smirk on his face as he quickly realizes what just happened. Damari has started to come to as well, but before he can really give chase to Ethan Okuma stops him, shaking his head and motioning that it isn't worth it.

Caelan Tyler: Why does NLW keep employing referees that can be easily bought?

Josh Allen: Simple Cael, Eriq Mobely doesn't care. Hell, he's yet to show any interest in the fact that I'm out here, despite the fact I sent one of his commentators to the emergency room earlier and could very well send the other one as well by the end of the night!

Caelan Tyler: ...

Josh Allen: I'm just joking with you Cael, relax.

The scene cuts to backstage, where Eriq Mobely is walking down a corridor, looking rather flustered. A stagehand approaches him, carrying a piece of paper.

Stagehand: Mr. Mobley! We just got word back from the hospital, they plan on keeping Jake overnight just to make sure it's not more serious than they think, but will release him in the morning.

Eriq Mobely: Damn Josh Allen. What about the match I have planned for next Uprising for Dashery?

Stagehand: Got the call back just a couple of minutes ago, his opponent agreed to it.

A smile crosses Eriq's face.

Eriq Mobely: Excellent. Oh, and do me a favor, make sure next Uprising Josh Allen is booked into a match against Roxy Erikson.

The stagehand nods before pulling out a pen and quickly scribbling that down.

Eriq Mobely: I love it when plans come together.

Eriq continues his walk down the hall as the scene cuts to ringside.

Caelan Tyler: What's that supposed to me?

Josh Allen: beats me, what I'm more concerned with is the match he booked!

Caelan Tyler: You versus Roxy? That should be interesting.

Josh Allen: I'm going to have to choke a bitch. I'll let you figure out which of the two bitches I'm referring to.

'Mad Mann' by Sean Price blasts throughout the arena as most of the fans rise up to their feet and begin cheering for Ray Lopes, as he makes his way down the ramp. He gives a pound to a fan or two along the way and then slides inside the ring.

Zach King: The following match will be contested under Legacy rules and is for the Legacy Championship... Introducing first, the challenger... From Los Angeles, California... Weighing in at 225 pounds... RAY LOPES!

Caelan Tyler: Ray Lopes is coming off of a successful NLW debut last Uprising, which led to Eriq Mobely giving him this shot at the Legacy Championship, although Lopes made it clear that the real prize he's after is the belt currently held by you Josh.

Josh Allen: So what? He can chase after my belt all he wants, he's not going to get anywhere near my championship.

Flickering red and purple stage lights strobe over the dimmed entrance and the upbeat tempo of Angry Young Man by Billy Joel slams out through the arena. The curtains burst open with flourish and James pauses on the stage, looking down to peer out at the crowd over top his sunglasses, with both the Legacy and NLW Tag Team championships strapped around his mid-section. Soaking in their cheers for a moment, James brushes them off, marching toward the ring while he wraps white tape around his wrists. James leaps from the floor to the apron without even taking a running start, then hooks an arm over the middle rope and rolls through into the ring, throwing his arms out to the sides and spinning in a circle as he enjoys the spotlight.

Zach King: And his opponent... From Brantford, Ontario, Canada... Weighing in at 171 pounds... He is the one half of the NLW Tag Team champions as well as the Legacy champion... 'UNTAMED' NICK JAMES!

Caelan Tyler: This is Nick James' second match in defense of the Legacy championship since winning it back at Blackout. What do you think Nick's chances of retaining here are Josh?

Josh Allen: Well as long as he doesn't do anything stupid he should be fine.

Caelan Tyler: Well he is a bit reckless.

Josh Allen: Well then he's screwed, isn't he?

Caelan Tyler: Well that recklessness allowed him to retain against Okuma.

Josh Allen: Sheer luck.

The referee calls for the bell and Nick James and Ray Lopes begin to circle each other warily. Lopes heads sharply toward Nick, looking for a grapple, but Nick ducks the effort and bounces off of the opposite ropes! He returns with a flying crossbody...but Lopes hits the mat quickly, leaving Nick to fly haplessly over him. Nick lands on all fours though, catching himself without harm. They nod at each other, realizing just how well scouted they are.

Caelan Tyler: Looks like both men were prepared for this match coming in.

Josh Allen: You'd be stupid not to be for a title match.

They approach again, this time Lopes backing Nick off with a few feinted punches. Nick connects with a kick to Lopes' thigh, which doesn't appear to faze Ray much. They finally close the distance as Lopes is noticeably anticipating getting his hands on the high-flying James. Again Nick ducks the grapple, though, and slides behind to ram a forearm into the small of Lopes' back. Lopes winces, but is quick to turn, flattening Nick to the mat with a spinning lariat. Nick is stunned for a moment, but manages to roll out of the way of a fist-drop from Lopes. Nick James is back to his feet quickly, but Ray Lopes is upon him fast, giving him no chance to get away from him again. James retreats, but Lopes catches him in the corner and finally gets a chance to unload a barrage of knee strikes and forearms to Nick's torso and head. The pounding continues, Nick slumping against the mat in the corner. Lopes reaches down to lift him back to his feet, but the wiry Nick shoots upward, adding to Lopes' momentum, and kicks off of the turnbuckles behind him to flip right over Lopes' head, yanking him down to the mat with a modified snapping neckbreaker out of the corner!

Caelan Tyler: Flashy move by Nick to get himself out of a rather bad position in the corner.

Josh Allen: That was one of risks that's worth taking.

Caelan Tyler: And you'd definitely know which risks are worth taking.

Josh Allen: Damn straight I would.

Neither man is down for long, and as soon as he gets up, Lopes heads right after Nick again, looking to simply wear out the smaller man. No retreating this time for Nick, who instead leaps right at Lopes, taking the bigger man down to the mat with a low dropkick to his knee! Nick hasn't had a chance to do much offensively yet, and he's definitely taking advantage of this opening, as he yanks one of Lopes' arms up, before throwing kick after kick into his ribs and midsection. Lopes finally yanks his arm back from Nick, looking to block the assault, but Nick then steps right over Lopes in a mount position, and begins raining punches down on Lopes' head! After taking a few shots, Lopes finally catches a break, using one hand to grab Nick by the neck, and the other to absolutely clobber him with a hard fist to his jaw! The punch knocks Nick upright, and from there Ray Lopes drops him with a double leg takedown, and then clinches a waistlock, using his size and strength advantage to squeeze the air out of the small aerial specialist.
The referee checks on Nick, seeing if he's going to submit, but it's definitely not in the cards, even as the hold saps his strength. He works his way up to a standing position, before knocking Lopes back as he backflips out of the hold! Lopes stumbles forward, and Nick James follows up with a clothesline that takes both men over the top rope and outside the ring! The crowd begins to get louder, knowing that Nick James tends to dominate outside the ring with his high-risk offense.

Caelan Tyler: This isn't a good place for Lopes to be, as Nick has had most of his success as of late on the outside.

Josh Allen: This is stupid for both men. Nick can lose his title by being out there, and if Lopes thinks he can challenge for my title getting hurt on the outside isn't going to help him there.

As soon as Lopes gets to his feet, Nick charges at him, throwing a crossbody press! Lopes catches him! Using his strength, Lopes drives Nick into the ring apron, before tossing him through the ropes and back into the ring. Lopes follows Nick into the ring, dropping a massive leg drop across his neck before he can get up. Yanking Nick to his feet, Lopes whips him to the ropes, and on the return plants him into the mat with a 180 spinebuster in the middle of the ring! Lopes hooks a leg for the cover!

1...

2...

Kickout!

Caelan Tyler: High impact counter off of that crossbody attempt, although it wasn't enough to get the three count.

Josh Allen: Those are the kinds of risks you have to avoid. He does something else that stupid here tonight and he could end up losing that belt.

Nick isn't done yet! Lopes glares at the referee for a moment, before shrugging and lifting Nick back to his feet. The crowd gives him a loud mixed reaction as he pounds Nick down to his knees with several brutal forearm shots to the back of Nick's head and neck. From there, he bashes a trio of knee strikes to Nick's midsection, which finally leaves the smaller man slumped to the mat, nearly unconscious. Lopes goes for another cover!

1...

2...

Kickout!

Caelan Tyler: Another pin attempt by Lopes, but Nick's still keeping himself in this.

Lopes seems unfazed by this kickout, simply more determined if anything as he yanks Nick back to his feet, throwing a few punches into his jaw to keep him stunned. Lopes locks in a standing headscissor, before lifting Nick up for a powerbomb! He charges forward...and Nick whips down faster than Lopes planned, flipping Lopes through the ropes and to the outside! Lopes doesn't land too badly, but it takes him a few moments to get back to his feet. In that space of time, Nick bounces off the opposite ropes and vaults over the top rope, crashing down upon Lopes! Now it's Nick shoving Lopes to his feet, and ramming him back-first into the apron! The crowd begins to really come alive again as Nick hops atop the guardrail and leaps toward Lopes, smashing him with a flying spinning wheel kick! Nick crashes into the apron, hurting himself as well as both men are out on the floor, while the referee starts the ten count on them!

1...

2...

Caelan Tyler: Nick James with some of his high-octane offense on the outside here, getting Lopes into exactly the sort of situation Lopes hoped to avoid.

Josh Allen: This is going to backfire.

Nick springs to his feet, perhaps a bit too soon, and promptly tumbles off-balance right into the guardrail and back to the floor! Against the ring apron, Ray Lopes begins to stir, his eyes still quite hazy.

3...

4...

5...

Lopes finally rises to his feet, tossing himself through the ropes to break the referee's count on himself. Nick James, meanwhile climbs to his feet and charges to slide into the ring feet-first, essentially hitting Lopes with baseball slide opposite the usual direction! Lopes rolls into the middle of the ring, while Nick leaps to the top rope, looking to inflict some serious damage on Lopes! Nick leaps with the somersault axe kick! Lopes senses the danger and sidesteps, catching Nick in the abdomen with a roundhouse punch! Nick crashes to the mat in a heap as Lopes backs off into the corner, looking to catch his breath. While he's there, he eyes Josh Allen behind the commentary desk warily, before waving a finger at him as if to ward him off from any interference, which gets some decent cheers from the crowd for him.

Caelan Tyler: Looks like Lopes finally decided to pay heed to the fact that you're behind the table here.

Josh Allen: Talk about stupid, he needs to keep his eyes on the match, not me!

With Nick finally getting to his feet, Lopes steps over and grabs him by the arm, driving a knee into his ribs. Lopes then yanks him up by the arm and rears back, looking to turn him inside out with a short-arm clothesline. Nick flings himself under the danger though, and bounces off of the ropes! He ducks on the rebound, as Lopes feints a punch, but instead catches Nick with a single-leg takedown, before driving a few elbows into the knee of the caught leg, and then turning to repeated elbow drops onto the same leg. In a smooth motion, Lopes flips Nick onto his stomach, locking a single leg crab on him, perhaps looking to neutralize Nick's speed and aerial attacks.

Caelan Tyler: First true submission hold on the match here, although neither man is exactly what you'd qualify as a 'submission specialist'.

Josh Allen: The win is what matters here, not how you get it.

Nick grunts in pain, while slowly inching his way toward the ropes nearby. After another half-minute or so in the agony of the hold, Nick finally grabs hold of the bottom rope, which leads the referee to start counting for Lopes to release the hold while motioning to Nick that he's got two rope breaks left. He does so immediately, but goes right back to grab hold of the leg he was working on, and attempts to again drag Nick into the center of the ring. Nick uses the ropes to get to a standing position, and smacks Lopes upside the face with an enziguri for his effort. Nick is clearly still in pain, but quickly rolls Lopes up before he can react!

1...

Got the shoulder up!

Lopes gets to his feet quickly, not too amused at all with Nick's pinfall attempt. He steps toward Nick, only to be sent into the ropes via a high flipping dropkick from James!
Lopes bounces off the ropes, clearly surprised by the strike, but when Nick charges at him, Lopes manages to yank him into the air and straight back down, plastering him to the mat with a flapjack. He moves to grab hold of Nick's leg again, but Nick pushes him off with the other leg, and when he tries yet again, Nick actually manages to monkey flip him almost into the corner! Nick follows up with a brutal looking double knee smash into Lopes abdomen, and the bigger man staggers a step or two out of the corner, looking particularly winded by the last strike. Nick reaches back into his high risk arsenal, quickly stepping around Lopes and climbing the corner turnbuckles, but apparently a second too slow as Lopes turns and yanks one of Nick's legs out from under him, sending him plummeting flat on his back into the ring. Lopes goes for the cover, hooking both legs tightly!

1...

2...

Kickout!

Caelan Tyler: Nick just can't seem to maintain his usual high flying pace around Lopes here. Do you think you'll have these kinds of problems when you face Lopes Josh?

Josh Allen: Of course not! I'm not going to stubbornly stick with a gameplan that isn't getting the job done like Nick is.

Caelan Tyler: I don't think Nick ever prepares a Plan B.

Josh Allen: Then he's done for.

Ray Lopes shakes his head, before dropping a few elbows across Nick James' neck. Nick looks out of it, but Lopes seems unconvinced, particularly after this last kickout. He whips Nick into the corner, before following up with a spear to Nick's ribs and midsection! He doesn't let up, either, driving shoulder after shoulder into Nick's midsection, looking to apparently rip the smaller man in half from the force of his blows! On a final shoulder thrust, Nick somehow throws his weight upward and over Lopes, hooking his arms with his own legs and flipping him down into a pinning situation!

1...

2...

Kickout!

Both men are relatively quick to their feet; Lopes looking considerably irritated now, and Nick looking still very worn by Lopes' offense. Lopes throws a fierce punch, but Nick blocks, and throws one of his own! Lopes is jolted back, and Nick throws another, but Lopes blocks and counters in return! Nick is rocked back hard, and upon trying another blow, finds it blocked as well, as Lopes simply out-brawls the smaller man, pummeling him until Nick finally is bounced right over the top rope and to the outside of the ring with one final massive shot from Lopes!

Caelan Tyler: And this time Lopes sends Nick tumbling out to the floor!

Somehow, Nick finds the willpower to get back to his feet, even after yet another hard impact, while Lopes steps onto the apron. Lopes leaps at Nick with a double axehandle, but Nick steps back, leaving Lopes to take a boot to his abdomen for his effort. Nick grips Lopes by the head, and snaps him to the floor with a DDT that leaves the audience cringing at the impact! Nick helps Lopes back to his feet, only to whip the big man into the guardrail back-first, and follow up with a knee strike to Lopes' abdomen! Nick repeats the motion, this time smashing Lopes into the apron, and then another knee strike! He looks to finish off the trio of maneuvers, but Lopes reverses the whip, and instead with sickening speed launches Nick into the ring steps! The metal clang resounds through the air as Nick smashes into it and still has enough momentum left over to send himself flipping helplessly over and to the other side, where he crashes in an apparent lifeless heap.

Josh Allen: This is exactly what I was referring to earlier Cael. That 'abuse' that Jake Steel enjoys so much; it's something that only ends in tragedy for the guy trying to do it.

Caelan Tyler: I can agree with that, Nick's been getting ragdolled here.

Ray Lopes takes his time getting over to Nick, recovering from Nick's surge of offense, but clearly having the match as a whole under his control thus far. He eventually does head over to that side of the ring to toss Nick into the ring, while watching Allen at all times while he's outside the ring. He slides in after Nick, going for a cover!

1...

2...

Kickout!

Nick James just won't be put down for the count yet! Lopes shakes his head as he leans against the ropes, shaking his head. He motions that the end is near, before finally stepping back to Nick and dragging him to his feet. Lopes tosses Nick atop his shoulders, the start to the Boxcutter! Nick struggles mightily, finding the strength, but he apparently can't overpower Lopes and the size advantage! Finally, he rakes Lopes hard across the eyes! Lopes drops him, and Nick's quickly to the corner, going for the top rope! Lopes staggers for a moment, but quickly realizes the danger! He rushes toward Nick, and shoves him hard off the top rope! Nick soars through the air...and crashes hard through the announcer's table! He's motionless, surrounded by broken table, wiring and monitors, and surprised announcers.

Caelan Tyler: Whoa! Flying bodies!

Josh Allen: See, this is what's wrong with NLW. This is what Eriq doesn't get. This is garbage!

Lopes shakes his head in frustration in the ring, rubbing his eyes, when outside, he spots Josh Allen lift a monitor from the rubble, and smash it further over Nick James' head! The referee is still focused on Lopes at the moment, checking on his eyes, though, and he doesn't see it!

Caelan Tyler: What the hell Josh?

Josh Allen: I told you Cael, I told you that if he made another mistake like that he wasn't walking away tonight! I'm a man of my word!

Lopes stands, glaring fiercely at Allen as the latter yanks Nick from the rubble and tosses him into the ring, now that the referee's eyes are upon him. Josh Allen gestures with open hands, as if to tell the referee he was just helping Nick get back into the ring. Lopes shrugs, motioning to Nick's motionless form and then to Allen, as if to ask if that's it? He shakes his head, lifting Nick to his shoulders, and dropping him into the Boxcutter! He covers Nick lightly, knowing that Nick's done for in the match.

1...

2...

3!

The referee motions for the bell, as Lopes stands victoriously in the middle of the ring, his eyes focused on Josh Allen, who is on the receiving end of quite the nasty crowd reception as he retreats up the entrance ramp, matching Lopes' glare the entire way. Lopes turns away only for a moment, just to take the Legacy Title belt from the referee, and to hold it high above his head, glaring at Allen with a smile, unfazed by Allen's games. Allen does the same on the entrance ramp, as if to one up him, holding his World Title belt above his head, before finally stepping out of sight.

Zach King: Here is your winner... And NEW Legacy Champion... RAY LOPES!

Caelan Tyler: Jeez, I don't know what's going to happen next between those two, but I shudder to think what the result will be for the rest of the roster...

The referee slides out of the ring, checking on Nick James before making an 'X' symbol with his arms, which causes paramedics to come out as the scene fades to black...