'Game On' by Discipline begins to play as the words 'NLW' flash across the screen, and the scene flashes back to last Uprising, where Ethan Dashery defeated Corey Ashton by grabbing his tights during a roll-up, Ray Lopes defeated Corbin Damari and in our main event Josh Allen defeated Roxy Erikson in an Anything Goes match. The scene cuts to ringside, with Caelan Tyler and Jake Steel.

Caelan Tyler: Hello and welcome to the latest edition of Uprising. With me as always is that eternal grump Jake Steel, and I don't know about you but I'm curious to see what kind of fallout will come from last week.

Jake Steel: What fallout?

Caelan Tyler: ...The fallout of the fans being taken out by the stairs?!

Jake Steel: Oh right that.

Caelan Tyler: That can't end well for us Jake. I mean, can we survive a lawsuit?

Jake Steel: Psh, all this company has been is one long series of lawsuits.

Caelan Tyler: ...Damn, you're right.

Jake Steel: Don't sound so surprised.

Caelan Tyler: Hard not to be.

Jake Steel: What do you mean by that?

Caelan Tyler: Nothing Jake...

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. The entourage follows behind Okuma as he jumps up onto the ring entrance and enters the ring going to a neutral corner. He then removes his bright purple ring robe and tosses it to a member of his entourage. His entourage, with the exception of his interpreter and manager Asuka, then walk back to the locker room area.

Zach King: The following match is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Osaka, Japan... Weighing in at 232 pounds... OKUMA!

Caelan Tyler: Okuma is trying to get himself back on track after the loss in that take match a couple of Uprisings ago to Dashery and Roxy Erikson.

Jake Steel: He needs to make sure he doesn't do what Damari did and choke.

Caelan Tyler: Hopefully not.

The gong hits and 'Blow Me Away' by Breaking Benjamin begins playing, a hooded figure appears on stage, not reacting at all to the crowd cheering him. Then, in sync with the guitars, fireworks flash and the figure removes his hood to reveal Drake Munday, who poses on stage. The crowd cheers wildly as he saunters down the ramp. He climbs up the steps and acknowledges the crowd. He climbs he turnbuckle and poses once more before backflipping into the ring and stretching up. A smirk on his face.

Zach King: And his opponent... From Green Bay, Wisconsin... Weighing in at 225 pounds... DRAKE MUNDAY!

Caelan Tyler: This is Drake's return to NLW after a less than stellar run late last year going into early this year.

Jake Steel: He must've really kissed some boots to get another shot.

Caelan Tyler: Drake's always shown good hustle Jake.

Jake Steel: And that's about all he's shown.

The referee calls for the bell, as Drake Munday charges from his corner at Okuma, looking to make a name for himself in his debut NLW match! Okuma dodges Drake's charge, and uses his own momentum to bash Drake headfirst into the top turnbuckle! Drake staggers back, stunned only for a moment, but Okuma promptly drops him completely with a spinning back fist right across Drake's temple!

Caelan Tyler: Boy, we've kicked things off with a bang here, both men showing no restraint at all!

Jake Steel: And why should they? Drake Munday wants to prove to NLW that he isn't the flake he was before, and Okuma could really use a dominating performance to prove that submissions aren't just something internet fans fawn over.

Caelan Tyler: Hey, I respect a good submission hold, and I'm not always online.

Jake Steel: I call BS. I've seen you tweeting plenty under 'joshallensbiggestfan.' Lameass.

Drake Munday's quickly back to his feet, and now it's Okuma advancing on him instead! Munday barely ducks a massive roundhouse kick, and at the last minute blocks an elbow strike that was aimed right for his face! One motion of his free hand, though, and he sends Okuma staggering back with an eye rake! The referee yells at him, but Munday is unfazed, as he shoves Okuma back in the corner, where he pounds him again and again with punches! The referee finally shoves Munday off, forcing him to back off, but Munday steps right in again, this time kicking Okuma in the abdomen over and over, until Okuma's slumped in the corner, and Munday continues stomping the hell out of him!

Jake Steel: Respect this technical wizardry, humanoid. That's how you win a wrestling match.

Caelan Tyler: It's one way to do it, that's for sure. Okuma's gotta be stunned at the ferocity of Drake Munday's assaults. Normally he's known for his excellent scouting of opponents, perhaps he didn't have time prior to this show?

Jake Steel: Make your excuses. He's getting beat like a red headed stepchild misbehaving in K-Mart.

Caelan Tyler: I apologize for Jake here, to any of our viewers who are indeed red headed stepchildren who have ever been punished for public misbehavior.

Jake Steel: You're a special brand of ass-kisser today, aren't you?

The referee finally backs Munday off, and this time actually plants himself directly between Munday and Okuma, warning Drake that if he doesn't cease at his order this time, he'll be disqualified. Drake appears to finally ease off, stepping back to the center of the ring, but all the while eyeing Okuma carefully as the Japanese submission master slowly makes his way back to his feet in the corner. The referee steps aside, and Drake charges and leaps, driving a double-knee cannonball right into Okuma! Okuma ducks at the last moment! Munday crashes into the turnbuckles, before falling right onto and over Okuma! By the time he comes to a stop, Drake seems a little unaware of his location in the center of the ring, as Okuma lunges onto him, fighting hard to clamp an ankle lock onto Munday! He finally turns him! Okuma gets to a knee, putting more torque on Drake's ankle, as Drake bellows, writhing about for the nearest set of ropes. Unfortunately for him, he's nowhere near them, so he's left kicking away at Okuma with his free leg. He finally seems to make decent contact, loosening Okuma's grip for a split second, and quickly hopping onto his one free leg, before flipping and blasting Okuma away with an enziguri! Munday takes a moment to test putting weight on his ankle, but before he can react further, Okuma's clinched onto him from behind, locking on a crossface chickenwing!

Caelan Tyler: Wow, another technical gem by Okuma!

Jake Steel: Yes, it'd be stunning and innovative...if this were 1982. But it's not.
Caelan Tyler: The powerbomb goes back to Lou Thesz, do you have anything against powerbombs?

Jake Steel: ...no. Damn you and your logic.

Munday quickly rears back, breaking Okuma's hold by smashing him into the nearest corner turnbuckle. A mule kick low blow from Munday to Okuma goes unnoticed, and with Okuma reeling in the corner, Munday snapmares him to the mat, before throwing a low dropkick to the back of his head! Munday goes for a cover!

1...

Kickout! Drake shakes his head, and yanks Okuma to his feet in the middle of the ring. Perhaps looking to end things quickly, he begins firing kick after kick into Okuma's abdomen! The Osaka warrior retreats with each strike...before catching one of Munday's kicks! Okuma clinches him close, and flings himself back, sending Munday careening into the corner turnbuckles upside down with a capture suplex!

Caelan Tyler: Ouch! Okuma showing off his versatility there. Technical wrestling isn't just submissions, Jake, it's suplexes as well, and other fun stuff.

Jake Steel: Sweet lord, there's like four hundred suplex variants out there, and of them all, approximately THREE might be cool moves. That just doesn't impress me!

Caelan Tyler: Understandable, on that note.

When Okuma gets to his feet, he sees Munday hanging upside down in the corner, one of his boots trapped to hold him in a tree of woe! The audience begins to cheer as Okuma steps in close, unleashing a barrage of palm and elbow strikes to Munday's torso! Munday fights back fiercely, but he quickly begins fading under the onslaught! Okuma switches to knee strikes, and absolutely pummels Munday's face with several knee drops! He frees Munday's trapped boot, and Drake slumps to the mat. Okuma begins to drag him into the middle of the ring...but Munday has the bottom rope, and he won't let go! Okuma keeps trying to pull him off, but to no avail! The referee finally forces Okuma to let go of him thanks to the ropes, so Okuma steps in close, looking to solve the problem another way. Perhaps deciding to fight Drake's unorthodox tactics with some of his own, Okuma takes Munday's arm, wraps it around the bottom rope, and then bounces off the second rope and comes down with a leg drop across Munday's arm and the ropes! Munday clutches his arm in pain, but Okuma isn't done! He drags Drake out of the ring until he's half hanging off the apron, and then rears back, lining up for a knee trembler! Munday dodges at the last second, but not as expected! He lets himself fall out of the ring, and trips Okuma up in the process! Okuma catches himself quickly, but not before getting a chop block to the back of his knees from Drake! Once he drops to his knees, Drake quickly dropkicks him from behind, sending him tumbling forward, where he crashes headfirst into the ring steps!

Jake Steel: Take note! That's how you win a wrestling match!

Caelan Tyler: Not to take anything away from the sheer effectiveness, but Jake, really, it was a trip, followed by a chop block and then a dropkick. You could train a monkey to do that sequence.

Jake Steel: Haven't we? This is pro wrestling, Cael.

Munday gets to his feet with a wicked grin, after hearing Okuma's impact with the stairs. He rolls the Japanese warrior into the ring, before making his way up the ropes...and coming down hard with Acrophobia! But Okuma rolls out of the way! Munday lands flat on his back with nothing to show for it! Both men are slow to their feet, but Munday is up first, slowly approaching Okuma, who is leaning against the ropes for support. Munday throws a roundhouse punch, but Okuma catches it, spinning Munday around and throwing him right over the ropes with a half-nelson suplex! Munday goes all the way to the floor outside...but lands on his feet! Okuma is unaware, still recovering on the ropes, while Munday rears back and charges, hopping onto the apron at the last second to drive a wicked spear into the small of Okuma's back!

Caelan Tyler: What balance on Drake Munday's part, to land on his feet after being suplexed completely out of the ring! And then to get right back on the offensive? The ball is definitely in his court now!

Jake Steel: Okuma either can't or hasn't hit any kind of serious maneuver yet, something that simply changes the match. Munday's done that already a couple of times so far, with that spear, and driving Okuma into the steps earlier. If he keeps that up, he's gonna go a long way.

Drake Munday's quick to slide into the ring, and clinches Okuma with a neckbreaker lock. He cranks back...but Okuma slips free, and shoves him into the ropes! Okuma runs to the opposite ropes, here they come...big Yakuza kick by Okuma! Munday ducks, and Okuma spins around to catch his balance...and gets the Darkness from Munday, out of nowhere! Munday falls atop Okuma, hooking a leg!

1...

2...

3!

Caelan Tyler: What a furious sequence to end this match! It looked like Drake had the clear advantage, then Okuma countered back, and then the Darkness suddenly puts an end to the match in Munday's favor!

Jake Steel: Hey, if you're not within arms reach of a weapon, just grab someone by the head or neck and faceplant them! That's what my Momma always told me!

Caelan Tyler: Your real last name is Orton, isn't it?

Jake Steel: What?

Caelan Tyler: Never mind. Regardless, what a display from Drake Munday on his return to NLW. Like you said earlier, if he keeps up his knack for high impact attacks, this will be far from the only notch in his win column.

The referee raises Drake Munday's arm in victory, as he stands over Okuma for a moment, before shaking his head at him and sliding out of the ring and up the ramp. Okuma slowly comes to, looking at the exiting Munday in disbelief of his loss.

Zach King: Here is your winner... DRAKE MUNDAY!

Caelan Tyler: You gotta wonder where Okuma will go from here.

Jake Steel: Hopefully back to Japan.

Caelan Tyler: You're just incapable of appreciating good wrestling, aren't you?

Jake Steel: Apparently!

Back in the locker room, Ray Lopes is preparing for his role as special guest referee for the upcoming match of Josh Allen and Vincent Cain. As Ray stuffs clothing into his travel bag, a knock on the door catches his attention for a moment.

Ray Lopes: Yeah? I'm busy here.

The door suddenly opens as the large Vincent Cain forces himself into the room in his wresting attire. Ray spins around, obviously annoyed.

Vincent Cain: Don't tell me everyone in this fed is as small as you.

Ray Lopes: Get the hell out.

Vincent Cain: I want a word with you.

Ray Lopes: I told you I was busy, asshole.

Vincent Cain: I don't give a shit. The only thing I care about is you calling a fair match tonight. I don't want you screwing me over tonight just because you have a feud with Allen.

Ray Lopes: Haven't you stopped to think for a second that this 'feud' might just work in your favor? Now if turn around and exit this room it still just might be in your favor.

Vincent Cain: Yeah I have thought about it, and the thought of me winning my first match against the World Champion on a fluke doesn't set right with me. You're going to call this match right down the middle. No sneak attacks, no chair shots, no fast counts, no bullshit. Do you understand?

Ray Lopes: Yeah yeah, I get what you're saying. But he if he dares touch me or even look at me the wrong I'm making no promises I won't intervene. You winning or losing this match fairly isn't my problem.

Vincent Cain: Trust me, it is your fucking problem.

And with that Vincent and Ray stare each other down before Vincent backs up and exits the locker room.

Caelan Tyler: Probably not the smartest thing in the world to do, antagonize the referee of your first match with the company.

Jake Steel: Nope, but it is a good way to let the #1 contender know you aren't going to deal with crap.

Caelan Tyler: True.

'Riot' by Three Days Grace hits, causing some unsettled fans to stand and boo. Josh Allen strides onto stage and treads down the aisle, shaking his head in apparent disgust at some of the front-row fans before patting the NLW Championship around his waist and smiling.

Zach King: The following match is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma... Weighing in at 221 pounds... He is the NLW Champion... JOSH ALLEN!

Caelan Tyler: Allen could not be very happy about the discussion that just happened backstage. Last thing anyone wants is the special guest referee in their match saying they would consider getting involved.

Jake Steel: What are you talking about? He's probably happy that Cain provoked Lopes.

The arena goes pitch black, causing a wave of cheers, boos and random yelling to spew from the crowd of fans. Suddenly, a distorted sound of music begins to grow over the arena's PA system as an explosion of 'What a Horrible Night to Have a Curse' by The Black Dahlia Murder blares from the speakers as the stage lights quickly flicker white with the tempo of the bass drum. As the onslaught of death metal continues, a tall silhouette steps onto the stage.

'This twisted wretched place shadowed by the utmost darks of Hell,
In dreams of black beyond the bounds of a withered witch's spell,
Where the doors surely are locked when the sun threatens to wane,
Where shamblers dwell in dim moon light beyond the warmth of day!'

Vincent begins walking down the fog-hidden ramp at a steady pace. With a cold stare in his eyes, his sights are set on the ring before him as he completely ignores the fans shouting from both sides.

'Liars line the roads at dawn watchful eyes are upon you held,
Sacred weapons to the sacred revealed to be unleashed upon the council of Hell!
Blood flows down the streets at night where wolves cry out for flesh,
Where a horrible curse taints the woodlands nearby with the forms of the walking dead!'

As he nears the ring, he grabs the top rope with his right hand, lifts himself onto the apron, swings his right leg over the top rope and enters the ring.

'Unholy inversion of hope twisting the faith of the meek into hate!
Driven insane by The Dark One to bring forth the foul biddings He speaks.
The undead are among us, at dawn they shrink back to their silken beds.
They dance by night and drink the blood of a child's broken neck!'

'His spires are growing taller still, their shadows stretching throughout the land.
Freeing the evils that sleep within the weaker minds of man!'

Vincent circles the ring slowly, staring about the arena with a sly smirk on his face. Nearing a turnbuckle, he leaps to the middle rope and stares about the fans around him. Suddenly he tilts his head down, takes a deep breath, stretches his neck left and right, then takes off his black leather jacket. After a moment of stretching, he gives a cut-throat motion and the lights of the arena returns to normal and the music sudden ends.

Zach King: Introducing next, his opponent... From Brooklyn, New York... Weighing in at 298 pounds... VINCENT CAIN!

Caelan Tyler: This is Cain's debut in NLW, and he certainly cuts an imposing figure on his way to the ring.

Jake Steel: I don't think we've seen anyone that size since Drake Hazard...

Caelan Tyler: Or Street Shark.

Jake Steel: Bah, Street Shark.

'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, wearing a referee's uniform. He gives a pound to a fan or two along the way and then slides inside the ring.

Zach King: And the special guest referee... From Los Angeles, California... Weighing in at 225 pounds... He is the NLW Legacy Champion... RAY LOPES!

Caelan Tyler: This is definitely going to be interesting.

Ray Lopes calls for the bell, seeming to quite enjoy the concern on Josh Allen's face from Lopes' striped referee shirt. Allen steps out from his corner, juking and jiving as he approaches Vincent Cain. Cain finally steps forward, perhaps looking for a grapple, but Allen sidesteps, throwing a couple of elbows way up to the giant's face. This barely fazes Cain, who promptly grabs Allen and almost carelessly throws him all the way across the ring.

Caelan Tyler: Wow! The World Champ better have a game plan, because this NLW newcomer is TITANIC!

Jake Steel: Man, reminds me of the glory days when it seemed like everyone in this fed was 6'6' or up.

Caelan Tyler: Yup, and...

Jake Steel: And you start singing 'Glory Days,' I'm gonna shin-kick you.

Josh Allen is quick to his feet, but realizing that Cain is heading his way quickly, he leaps through the ropes to the outside. Allen mouths off to Lopes, telling him to keep Cain back, as his monstrous opponent leans over the ropes, almost grabbing hold of Josh by the hair. Allen dodges and punches Cain in the face for his efforts. As Cain reels back for a moment, Josh quickly leaps up to the apron and grabs Cain by the hair instead, yanking his throat down over the top rope with all of Allen's weight, as he hops back to the floor. The audience boos lustily as Josh Allen celebrates for a moment outside, his arms outstretched as he mouths off to nearby fans about personally dropping the giant.

Caelan Tyler: What a job by Josh Allen, showing that size isn't everything! There's a reason he's champ!

Jake Steel: It certainly isn't any sense of decorum or respect for ring announcers, I'll tell you that much. You're such a fanboy that he could probably beat your ass and throw you through a windshield and you'd still cheer for him.

Caelan Tyler: Would it be a stellar beatdown on me, or just a run of the mill 'you're pissing me off, here's a punch in the face?'

Jake Steel: Words just can't describe.

Allen quickly slides into the ring, while Vincent Cain staggers in the middle of the ring. Josh bounces off the ropes, smashing his shoulder into the giant...but gets nothing for it. Cain barely moves, and Allen bounces to the next set of ropes, returning with another shoulder block! This time Cain staggers back, leaning against the ropes for support. Allen bounces back again, this time returning with a clothesline to send Cain right over the ropes! But Cain ducks it, and presses Allen up into the air! Way up there, and catches him on the return, smashing him brutally to the mat with possibly the highest spinebuster in NLW history! Cain goes for a cover!

1...

Kickout!

Caelan Tyler: The Greatest isn't done yet!

Jake Steel: ...'The Greatest'?

Caelan Tyler: Well he is champ, isn't he? If the champ isn't then who would be?

Jake Steel: Yeah, because I'm sure that's the first time that moniker has ever been used...

Vincent Cain yanks Josh Allen right back to his feet, but Josh Allen immediately thwarts any further action with a stiff-fingered shot to Cain's throat! Cain staggers back for a moment, but Lopes immediately interjects himself, backing Josh Allen off and warning him loudly. Allen hollers back, accusing Lopes of having bias.

Caelan Tyler: He's not biased against you, Josh, only against cheap shots.

Jake Steel: Imagine that, your great messiah Josh Allen inflict a cheap shot? For SHAME!

Sure enough, Allen and Lopes' argument is ended with Cain crashing the party, throwing overhead blows down on Allen that quickly pound him to his knees! From there, Vincent grabs him by the throat with both hands, and promptly lifts Josh right off the mat, holding him overhead with a two-handed choke! Ray Lopes begins counting to five, before yelling at Cain to break the hold. Cain complies, by simply letting go, and leaving Allen to crash to the mat on his back. Cain hauls him right back to his feet, and whips him into the far corner. A split second after he hits, Cain follows with a huge avalanche splash, which leaves Josh slumped against the bottom turnbuckle. Cain puts a boot to Josh's throat, putting all his weight on choking the hell out of the World Champion!

Caelan Tyler: What the hell is up with Lopes? Josh hits a throat chop, and Lopes gets all in his face! Cain chokes Josh earlier, and is choking him now, and all Lopes is doing is giving Cain the five count to break it? What gives?

Jake Steel: I'll tell you what's going on; the sweet glory of Josh Allen getting his sorry self choked the hell out, and it's BEAUTIFUL.

Caelan Tyler: There's nothing beautiful about biased officiating!

Jake Steel: Choke on it, Allen! This is for the rest of this federation that hates you!

Caelan Tyler: I think you're generalizing now, just because he put you in your place.

Jake Steel: Probably. But it feels damn good, Cael.

Again, Cain breaks at the five count, giving Lopes a blank stare for a long moment afterward. He drags Josh back to his feet, locking him in and lifting him for a vertical suplex! Josh tumbles through and down on the other side, before driving a forearm into the small of Cain's back. Cain stumbles into the ropes, as Josh continues kicking and punching his back and neck. Lopes moves to separate the two, but before he can, Cain finally turns about quickly, and blasts Josh back with a mammoth headbutt! Allen staggers back, bouncing against the opposite ropes, and on the return, Cain crushes him to the mat with a Black Hole Slam! Cain hooks a leg for the cover!

1...

2...

Kickout! Cain stares at Lopes again, with the same exact expression, before dragging Josh to his feet yet again. Cain lifts Josh up...and then up further, gorilla pressing Allen over his head, probably eight or nine feet in the air! He throws Josh up, and he comes down across the ropes in the corner, laying prone across the turnbuckle. With a huge boot, Cain kicks Allen in the ribs, which sends him tumbling off the ropes and to the outside, where he smashes off the ring steps before finally coming to a halt in a heap on the arena floor!

Caelan Tyler: My god, the referee should stop this match! Of course he won't, because Ray Lopes just wants to see Josh suffer himself, but for all that is holy, how can Josh Allen be alright after that fall?!

Jake Steel: He isn't, Cael. It's getting better and better. Come on, Ray, don't stop the match. Don't change a thing. It's coming together just awesome.

Vincent Cain follows Josh Allen outside of the ring, finally lifting him to his feet, and clinching him for a chokeslam! He lifts Josh up, but Josh shifts his weight, landing on the ring apron beside Vincent Cain! A few kicks back Cain off, and Josh flings himself back, throwing a crossbody press at Cain! Cain catches him, though, and launches him overhead and he lets himself fall back with a fallaway slam! Allen looks like he's in agony, crawling away desperately as Cain slowly gets to his feet and pursues him around the ring. Somehow, Josh gets into the ring, crawling into a corner, where he puts himself between the ropes. Cain follows, coming in, but is forced away by Ray Lopes, who won't let him go after Allen with him in the ropes!

Jake Steel: Look at that, you hypocrite! Ray Lopes is calling an even match, you're the biased ninny!

Caelan Tyler: About damn time. The damage is done by now though.

Jake Steel: Get over it, man. People need to be warned after straight up cheap shots, but when someone gets choked, that's what the five count it for. You need to stop grabbing your ankles everytime the Allen train gets anywhere near your tunnel.

Caelan Tyler: And what the hell does that mean?!

Josh Allen finally gets to his feet, and Cain steps into the corner, pounding him immediately with several fierce punches. Cain switches to elbow smashes, and Josh finally dodges one, slipping out of the ring again to escape the sheer power of Vincent Cain. Cain glares down at Allen, before turning to Lopes and making some kind of comment to him. Lopes simply shrugs, as Josh slowly climbs back into the ring, eyeing both Lopes and Cain warily. Allen motions to Cain for a grapple, and the two come together in the middle of the ring, except that Allen ducks and spins at the last moment, rolling up Cain out of nowhere!

1...

2...

Kickout!

Jake Steel: Pretty sketchy there on Allen's part, eh, Cael?

Caelan Tyler: Any other time you'd be cheering so hard you'd get a run in your hose. Why the hate for Josh Allen, Jake?

Jake Steel: Um, wait. I had an answer...oh, right. He savagely attacked me because he's a pussy. A grade A piece of trash excuse for a World Champ...pussy.

Caelan Tyler: Stunning allegations coming from someone as 'illustrious' as yourself, Jake. Stay classy, moron.

Vincent Cain rises to his feet quickly, as does Josh Allen, who meets Cain's fist right around his throat! Cain backs him into the corner, and before Lopes can get on his case for the choke, in one smooth motion he lifts Josh Allen up by his throat, steps out from the corner, and then crushes him right back into the turnbuckles with a chokeslam!

Caelan Tyler: Dear god, what do you call that, anyway? A vertical chokeslam? Aren't they all, really?

Jake Steel: Well, sure, but you usually end up horizontal. I think that's what should count. Vertical chokeslam works for me.

Caelan Tyler: On an unrelated note, did you notice, Jake, how in some matches we talk a whole lot more than in others?

Jake Steel: I have. I think it's because of the jackasses yelling at me from my headset.

Caelan Tyler: How does that explain it? Do they do that more in some matches than others?

Jake Steel: Probably. To steal your line from last show, I blame it on the writersbookers.

Lopes tells Cain to back it out of the corner, and Allen decides to capitalize on the situation, kicking Cain in the gut. Allen then drives a forearm into Cain's skull, knocking him back. Looking to take advantage, Allen climbs up the turnbuckles, leaping off and grabbing Cain's head, spiking him to the mat with a tornado DDT! Allen then goes for a pin, using the ropes for leverage:

1...

2...

No, Lopes looks up, stopping his count. Allen pops up, confused as Lopes tells him that he's got his feet on the ropes and it doesn't count. In frustration, Allen shoves Lopes. Lopes is fuming at this point, and kicks Allen in the gut. By this point Cain is to his feet, and decides to capitalize, delivering his Nocturnal Crucifixion powerbomb! He quickly goes for the pin:

1...

2...

3!

Caelan Tyler: No! That was BS!

Jake Steel: No, it was justice!

Zach King: Here is your winner... VINCENT CAIN!

Cain immediately gets to his feet, catching Lopes with a nasty right! He then wraps a hand around Lopes' throat and chokeslams him to the mat, the crowd immediately erupts into a chorus of boos at this. He yells at Lopes for interfering before heading to the back.

Caelan Tyler: Well it looks like someone agrees with me that Lopes shouldn't have done that.

Jake Steel: Somehow I doubt he disagrees with winning Cael.

Caelan Tyler: You never know Jake. Sometimes those things can weigh on the conscience.

Jake Steel: I doubt that guy even has one of those...

Caelan Tyler: Probably right...

The arena lights shift to differing shades of red, as spotlights focus on at the top of the entrance ramp, while 'Debonaire' by Dope begins playing. As the heavier guitars come in, Ethan Dashery steps onto the stage, holding his hands in the air, as if gesturing for the whole world to check him out. He's got a neck brace on, but doesn't seem to be calling any real attention to it.

He saunters down the entrance ramp, sneering at the audience and trading insults with nearby fans. Reaching the ringside area, he charges onto the ring apron near one of the corners, before vaulting over the top rope and into the ring, landing on the adjacent second rope, where he takes a few final pot shots at the fans, and spits at them, before hopping off the ropes. The music fades and the lights return to normal, as Dashery removes the neck brace before he leans cockily in his corner, waiting for the match to start.

Zach King: The following match is scheduled for one fall and is our main event! Introducing first, from Warwick, Rhode Island... Weighing in at 195 pounds... ETHAN DASHERY!

Caelan Tyler: Frankly, I do not know how the hell he's even standing, after all of the abuse his neck has taken since coming into NLW, Jake.

Jake Steel: Just proves that he's tougher than most, Cael. The guy refuses to stop wrestling!

Zach King: And his opponent...

There's a pause as people wait for Ethan's mystery opponent to be introduced. A few moments pass before the face of Eriq Mobely can be seen on the screen above the ramp.

Eriq Mobely: If I may have your attention for a few moments, please...I'd just like to let the NLW audience know that as of this moment, I've handed over the reins to a newly-named Commissioner. It was at this person's suggestion that I signed on your opponent tonight, Mr. Dashery. The new Commissioner will introduce himself in due time, but at the moment your opponent is itching to return to an NLW ring, Ethan. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... JC!

There is a moment of stunned silence before 'Wherein Lies Continue' by Slipknot hits the speakers. Another moment later, JC emerges on the entrance ramp, microphone in hand.

Caelan Tyler: Looks like JC's got something to say first, Jake.

Jake Steel: A better question: who's the new commish?

Jake's question isn't answered as the music fades and JC brings the microphone up to him.

JC: Yes, yes, yes. I'm here in NLW. Who knows why OWF shut down, who cares. I view OWF as a failure. Not only on the part of the idiots that were in charge but from me. I have failed the fans. I promised to cure the OWF of its' cancer and instead it has succumbed. Not the NLW. I've seen guys like Ray Lopes come over here and try to infect this company. This company that I fully supported when they battled the OWF. You've got a World champion not unlike Jesse Williams, a disgrace to the belt he holds.

Jake Steel: Man's got a point there.

Caelan Tyler: ...

JC: I must admit, coming here wasn't my idea. But I was brought here with a purpose. The man who brought me here is unable to save this company on his own. He made one phone call. Amazing and surprising that he called me.

The crowd murmurs at this statement.

Caelan Tyler: 'Unable to save this company on his own?' Is he talking about Eriq Mobely? Was JC the person who Mobely called at the end of last Uprising?

Jake Steel: Probably; guy couldn't save his way out of a wet paper bag.

Caelan Tyler: That makes no sense whatsoever, Jake.

Jake Steel: Well, neither does your--

Caelan Tyler: That's enough of that.

JC has started to come down the ramp, and resumes talking.

JC: Do you want to know what to expect from me? You can expect carnage. You can expect decimation. In order to rid this company of its' disease I will have to purify it completely. I will have to sanctify it from the filth that currently pollutes it. To do this, I will spare no one. You all are my enemies. You all will feel my wrath, my venom. I don't want anyone to hold that against me. I'm not malignant, I simply am.

And with that, JC slides into the ring where Dashery is watching him, a wary look on his face as the referee calls for the bell to begin the match.

Caelan Tyler: All of a sudden, Jake, I don't like Ethan's chances of walking out of here tonight.

Jake Steel: What do you mean?

Caelan Tyler: The last time we saw JC in a ring, it was against an opponent in a similar condition to Dashery. He showed no mercy then, and the months since that time have probably made him more determined to show what he can do.

Jake Steel: Does this mean ABUSE, Cael?

Caelan Tyler: Probably.

Jake Steel: Then I approve!

Collar-and-elbow tie-up starts the match, and JC is quick to get the advantage with a side headlock. He wrenches on the hold, forcing Ethan to endure additional pain before Dashery is able to shove JC off of him and into the ropes. On the rebound, Dashery is quickly knocked down by a shoulder block from the much larger JC. The former OWF star tries to get a quick stomp to the head in, but Dashery is able to roll out of the way and winds up on the arena floor, looking to buy some time as he absently rubs the nape of his neck. Unbeknownst to him, though, the former OWF Tears champion slides out of the ring on the far side and begins to make his way around to his opponent.

Caelan Tyler: Ethan trying to buy some time, but I'm not sure if that's going to work against an opponent the caliber of JC.

Jake Steel: Especially considering that JC isn't afraid to resort to underhanded tactics to get the job done!

Caelan Tyler: Indeed, that's also something that Dashery's going to have to worry about.

Ethan shakes his head a little to try to focus before sliding into the ring. He's lucky in that two seconds later, he would have been rocked with a clothesline from behind by JC. As it is, JC slides into the ring immediately after Dashery, but left himself open to a well-placed kick to the ribs by Ethan. Dashery pulls JC to his feet before blasting him with a forearm shot to the jaw, a kick to the gut, and a European-style uppercut that backs JC into a corner. Ethan looks for an Irish whip--which fails utterly--before JC reverses it and sends Ethan into the opposite corner at high speed. The impact is enough to cause a mini-whiplash effect on Dashery, who slumps to a knee with one hand immediately going up to hold his neck.

Jake Steel: Okay, we can see that JC knows to find a weak point and work on it. So why doesn't he speed up the job with a chair or two?

Caelan Tyler: Jake, that's not JC's mode of operation. He'll use his body and skills to pick you apart; he doesn't need weapons!

Jake Steel: That's not what Nick James was saying at Turbulence. Course, he was knocked out half the match, so it would have been hard for him to say anything.

There is no pause for reflection as JC walks over, pulls up Dashery by the neck and again clamps on a side headlock. Ethan's quick to grab the ropes, though, and force the break. After holding it until the count of three, JC breaks the headlock and launches Dashery out of the corner with a hip toss before again going back to the head and neck with a rear chinlock. JC drives a knee into the spine of Dashery for leverage, and really pulls back on the chin to further damage the neck as Dashery looks for an escape. After a bit of finagling, Dashery finally does get out of the hold as he gets to his feet and gets JC in a hammerlock to buy some time. A back elbow puts a quick stop to those plans, though, and a clothesline sends Dashery down in a hurry putting further emphasis on the damaged neck.

Caelan Tyler: It's easy to tell that JC came into this match with a plan, and that plan was to focus on the obvious weak spot of Ethan Dashery. I still have a feeling of déjà vu though, Jake.

Jake Steel: What, because this is what JC was doing to that fat bastard Phoenix before lard ass got the impossible pinfall?

Caelan Tyler: Remember, Phoenix was a guy who JC had respect for. You can see what he's doing to someone without that respect.

Jake Steel: Yeah, it's called beating the holy hell out of them!

Without even pausing to consider his next move, JC pulls Dashery to his feet, locks in a rear waistlock and delivers a release German Suplex--all impact on the back of the head and shoulders as Ethan gets folded like an accordion. Instead of going for a cover, JC instead pulls Dashery back up yet again and sets him up for what appears to be a DDT. Dashery's having none of it, as he starts punching JC in the abdomen to try to escape. After six or seven shots, JC is stunned enough to loosen the hold enough for Ethan to break free, and a dropkick to the knee is the result as the larger competitor is dropped to a knee. A moment later, Dashery flips over JC and hits a modified neck breaker to send the former OWF star down. Dashery is quick to scramble into a cover:

1...

2...

Easy kickout at two and a quarter! Looking to try to capitalize on JC being down, Ethan begins to try to stomp a hole through JC.

Caelan Tyler: I'll be honest, I do not know how the hell Dashery is able to put together any sort of offense here. Most men would have given it up long ago!

Jake Steel: It's like I told you, Caelan. Ethan Dashery is tougher than most men!

Caelan Tyler: I hate to say it, but you might have a point there...

After about a dozen or so shots, Ethan heads to the nearby ropes, bounces off, and lands a quick elbow drop before trying to put the boots to his opponent again. This time, though, JC is ready and actually catches the offending appendage before it makes contact. With a shove, Ethan is pushed back to the ropes as JC makes his way up. Ethan comes back in, looking for a cross body block to stop the bigger man, but JC simply catches him and delivers a fallaway slam that sends Dashery to the outside! The ref gets to a count of two before JC rolls outside the ring and heads towards Dashery's location.

Jake Steel: And here comes the ABUSE. This is going to be good!

Caelan Tyler: Right now, Dashery's best bet is to get back inside the ring, and fast.

The look on JC's face says it all: he has bad intentions in mind for Ethan Dashery, and as he lifts the youngster off the protective mats he has his eyes set on the ring post and introducing Mr. Dashery's skull to it. JC hauls his prey to the post, and looks to deliver on his unspoken plan, but Dashery gets his arms up in time and manages to prevent the concussive blow. A second time this happens, and Ethan finally has enough as he buries a knee into the gut of JC and then introduces JC's face to the steel post! The former OWF Tears champion falls to a knee as Dashery scrambles back into the ring to give his beleaguered neck a much-needed period to recover. The referee is steady with his count, getting to six before JC is able to grab the ropes and pull himself onto the apron.

It doesn't quite last as Dashery comes across the ring with a low dropkick and catches JC flush in the face, sending the larger man back to the floor as the ref restarts the count. JC gets back up, looking a bit livid as he tries to re-enter the ring again...and again Dashery thwarts the plan, as a baseball slide leads into a spinning head scissors that sends JC chest-first into the ringside barricades. A quick kick to the ribs follows this, and Dashery returns to the ring with the momentum on his side.

Caelan Tyler: Ethan's put together a bit of a hit-and-run offense here, and has the advantage. If he can keep this up, he might be able to take a firmer grasp of the match.

Jake Steel: And if he can't, JC is simply going to wreck his shit.

Caelan Tyler: True enough...

The ref continues his counting, getting to six once again before JC slides under the bottom rope. Ethan is quick to pounce, dropping a running elbow on the back of JC's neck before continuing to stomp away. After the ref physically intervenes to break the carnage, Dashery heads to the opposite ropes, manages to slide between the ref's legs and catch JC in the knee with a low dropkick. The ref trips over Ethan as Dashery grabs the head of a kneeling JC and hits a short DDT. Cover by Dashery is no good, as JC's foot is still under the bottom rope. Seeing this, Ethan grabs that legs and hooks it, and with nothing breaking the plane of the ropes the ref finally makes a count:

1...

2...

Shoulder up at two and a half! All of the jaw-jacking with the referee might have cost Dashery the victory right there.

Caelan Tyler: Dashery needs to focus here. The more he hits the mat in frustration, the more time he's giving JC to recover.

Jake Steel: Tell us something we didn't already know, Cael.

Caelan Tyler: All right. There's 63,360 inches in a mile.

Jake Steel: ...how do you know that?

Caelan Tyler: Trivial Pursuit. It's beyond your level, Jake.

The look on Ethan's face says it all: he thinks it's only a matter of time before he can add JC to the list of champions he's beaten. And as he pulls JC to his feet, the confidence seems to just ooze off of him as he looks for a superkick, which JC is able to duck. Dashery spins on his grounded leg, cocking the airborne leg for the second half of the Shadow Kick, but gets absolutely destroyed by a vicious lariat that looks to be right at home in one of the Japanese puro federations! Dashery falls to the mat, barely moving except for an occasional twitch as a sick, demented smile crosses the face of JC.

Caelan Tyler: You have to think that JC's signature Solitaire Unraveling is next, Jake.

Jake Steel: (shudders) I still love the sound of that name!

Instead of grabbing Dashery and preparing to end the match with Solitaire Unraveling, the former Joe Cool simply walks over to the prone body of Dashery and puts all of his weight into a stomp targeted at the base of Dashery's neck. Then, he does it again. And again. And keeps repeating it until the ref finally intervenes physically to check with Dashery to see if he wants to quit the match. He gets no reply as JC walks over, grabs Dashery by the hair and pulls him to his feet. He looks for an Irish whip, but Ethan's legs don't want to cooperate as Ethan falls to the mat about halfway across the ring. Again, the ref is quick to kneel down and check on Ethan to see if he's even in a condition to continue. Once again, though, this is in vain as JC picks up Ethan, applies a full nelson, and throws both him and Dashery backwards in a Dragon Suplex! JC doesn't hold the bridge for the cover, letting Dashery flop almost lifelessly to the mat.

Caelan Tyler: Okay, this is getting out of hand. The ref needs to seriously think about just stopping the match here before Ethan is permanently hurt.

Jake Steel: And deny us ABUSE? Blasphemy!

Moving to the other side of the ring, JC sizes up his opponent, looking perhaps for the infamous Big Boot that has injured numerous opponents in the past. To the shock of basically everyone in the arena, Dashery is using the ropes to pull himself to a vertical base. Again, the ref asks him if he wants to stop, and Ethan's groaned 'no' is picked up by the NLW cameramen. A few seconds later, Dashery is somehow standing, though his legs look incredibly unsteady beneath him as the sinister smile on JC's face now looks downright lethal. Dashery seems to begin to turn around, and JC charges, looking to end the match, much less the career of his opponent.

Time seems to slow down slightly as JC gets in position to hit with the big boot. It is only the self-preservation of Dashery that leads him to grab the back of the referee's pants and pull him into the path of the boot as Dashery falls to the mat. There is a sickening 'smack' as JC's foot meets the face of the official, and the official falls to the mat, not moving at all. As it dawns on JC that he didn't make impact with his opponent, said opponent lashes out from his knees with an uppercut that catches JC below the belt! JC falls to the mat, clutching his groin as--

Jake Steel: Cael! Dashery was wearing brass knuckles! He just low-blowed JC with a set of knucks! This is priceless!

Caelan Tyler: I...I don't know what to say.

Jake Steel: This carnage is glorious!

Dashery gets into a mount position, rocking JC's head with a couple of brass-knuckle shots before heading back outside and bringing in a steel chair. With no official left to keep order, this has broken down into anarchy as Dashery brings the steel chair down across the broad back of JC. A second shot follows this, and Dashery motions for JC to stand so he can be properly introduced to the chair, face-to-seat. As JC stands, Dashery looks to connect with the chair, but gets it thrown back in his face as JC kicks the steel back at Dashery! Both Ethan and the chair fall to the mat as JC quickly follows suit, locking in a Dragon Sleeper and putting all sorts of pressure on the neck of Ethan.

Caelan Tyler: This is too much! Someone's got to stop the match before Ethan becomes a quadriplegic!

Jake Steel: Quad…what?

Caelan Tyler: Paralyzed, dammit!

Jake Steel: Oh.

As JC continues to crank on the hold, the referee regains enough coherence to call for the bell. Immediately, the entryway fills with most of the NLW roster and security as they sprint to the ring, trying to get JC to break the hold. For about thirty seconds, their pleading is in vain until JC finally releases the hold. Ethan falls to the mat as JC raises his hands in mock-surrender and rolls out of the ring, still surrounded by the majority of the NLW security force.

Zach King: Ladies and gentlemen, the referee has ruled this bout a no contest; the official result is a draw!

Back in the ring, Ethan is starting to reach for the ropes and tries to pull himself up, despite the pleading of the E.M.T.'s at ringside. Walking up the entryway, JC's smile speaks volumes as he raises a hand. The camera can see him mouth the words 'I will cure NLW' before the shot returns to Dashery, who has somehow gotten to his feet. The fans applaud the tenacity of the youngster, even if they don't necessarily agree with his tactics.

Jake Steel: See? This guy is not human, Cael!

Caelan Tyler: I'd be hard-pressed to disagree, Jake...wait a minute. Sounds like something's going on backstage, Jake!

Jake Steel: We need a camera back there! Let's go, people!

Jake's comment is quickly answered, as one of the cameras backstage has caught up to Josh Allen as he storms down one of the hallways, arriving at a door marked 'NLW Commissioner.' Without breaking stride, he opens the door without knocking and walks in to find a small, bare office with two chairs in front of a desk and a third chair facing away from the camera and towards a monitor showing the ringside area. Allen pauses for a minute, a bit surprised before he rounds the desk and spins the chair around. The camera is locked in on his face, so the look of shock is evident as the view then pans downward to show...

...nothing. No one is in the chair, and as Allen growls in frustration a voice can be heard off-camera.

Voice: Looking for someone, Mr. Allen?

The camera quickly turns around, as does Allen, to show the figure the voice belongs to.

The Phoenix: Or, more specifically...looking for your new boss? Well, congratulations. You found him.

Josh looks a bit stunned as the new NLW Commissioner stares a hole through him while the camera fades to black....