We open up at the Will Rogers World Airport also known as the Oklahoma City Airport with Ray Lopes just getting off his flight. He's dressed pretty comfortably in black basketball shorts and a white NLW t-shirt. Right now he's going through all the text messages he received while he was up in the air wishing him luck in his NLW title match against Josh Allen tonight, he's also got his headphones on and is listening to music. He looks up and sees JC not too far ahead of him who has already spotted and is staring devilishly at him. Ray can't help but smile as he takes off his headphones to hear what JC has to say.

JC: Well, well, if it isn't Ray Lopes.

Ray Lopes: That would be me!

JC doesn't care at all for Ray's sarcasm as his devilish grin turns into a serious scowl.

JC: You know you and I have some unfinished business.

Ray Lopes: We do?

JC looks annoyed.

JC: You know damn well we do!

Ray Lopes: Whoa, calm down there Joey.

JC: Don't call me Joey, my name is JC!

Ray laughs at how easy it is to get under his skin.

Ray Lopes: Okay, JC... so tell me, what unfinished business do we have?

JC: That fluke pin you have over me!

Ray Lopes: What's so fluke about it? You got all big boot crazy during that match. When you tried to hit me with it, you missed and got your foot caught over the top rope allowing me to put your big goofy ass over my shoulders and nail you with the Box Cutter, the referee then dropped down and counted to three and my hand was raised in victory... doesn't sound like a fluke to me!

JC's face starts to turn red in anger.

JC: I could have put you away at any time during that match, instead I decided to play with you and it cost me.

Ray rolls his eyes.

Ray Lopes: I think you hung out with Plague and Trent Steel a little too much over in OWF, you're starting to sound like one of them in their promos now, always making excuses for how you could have won, but you just decided not to.

JC: It's not an excuse, it's a fact!

Ray Lopes: Yeah, yeah... whatever.

Ray looks at his watch on his right wrist.

Ray Lopes So anyways, this conversation has been nice and all, but I've got to get going. I'd like to get to my hotel and get some rest before I wrestle Allen, who believe it or not is even a bigger douche then you, tonight! Now if you'd excuse me...

Ray motions to JC that he's about to go, but not before JC leaves him with these parting words.

JC: Yeah, good luck tonight, I'll be rooting for you and who knows maybe I'll come down and make sure you actually get the job done, so I can get you in the ring myself and take that belt from you since it is MY title shot you stole from me anyways!

Ray looks at JC one more time before walking off, presumably towards baggage claim to grab the rest of his luggage.

'Game On' by Discipline begins to play as the words 'NLW' flash across the screen, and the scene flashes back to last Uprising, where Drake Munday defeated Okuma, Vincent Cain defeated Josh Allen in a match with Ray Lopes was the special guest referee before attacking Ray after, and in the main event JC fought Ethan Dashery to a no-contest and The Phoenix was announced as the new commissioner of NL! The scene cuts to ringside, with Caelan Tyler and Jake Steel.

Caelan Tyler: Hello and welcome to Uprising, where the match you've all been waiting for will be taking place tonight. Josh Allen. Ray Lopes. Steel cage match for the NLW Championship.

Jake Steel: I know I'm excited for this. It's going to be EPIC!

Caelan Tyler: We also have Drake Munday taking on Ethan Dashery and JC taking on Vincent Cain.

Jake Steel: Oh come on, no one's paid money to see either of those matches. They want to see the main event!

Caelan Tyler: Who doesn't? I can't wait to see those two finally tie up in the ring.

Jake Steel: Damn straight.

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

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

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

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

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

Bleed your death upon me
Let your bloodline feed my youth

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

Zach King: The following match is scheduled for one fall! Introducing first... From Jersey City, New Jersey... Weighing in at 255 pounds... JC!

Caelan Tyler: JC looked impressive him his official NLW debut last Uprising, although I'm sure he would've rather picked up the victory rather than the no contest ruling by the ref.

Jake Steel: No duh Cael.

Caelan Tyler: JC also looked impressive when he made appearances both at Turbulence and Collision Course when he was making appearances as part of the OWF.

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: And his opponent... From Brooklyn, New York... Weighing in at 298 pounds... VINCENT CAIN!

Caelan Tyler: Vincent Cain managed to score a victory over Josh Allen last Uprising, thanks in no small part to the actions of Ray Lopes.

Jake Steel: Well he definitely made Lopes regret doing that, now didn't he?

Caelan Tyler: I suppose...

The bell rings, as JC and Vincent Cain stand in opposite corners of the ring. Cain unwaveringly stares at JC, who looks around the arena, as the audience showers boos down on the two competitors.

Caelan Tyler: Look at this, a rare match in NLW where neither man is getting any sort of positive reaction. These guys just don't lend themselves to endearment, do they?

Jake Steel: These fans are ingrates. They hate Ethan Dashery, too, yet JC nearly broke the man's neck and they still boo him. Vincent Cain beat that sorry douche Josh Allen, the bane of this federation's existence and your personal man-crush, and they boo him as well. So screw them all.

JC steps out of his corner as Cain does the same, as the two titans begin circling each other slowly. They meet in a grapple, deadlocked for a moment, before JC uses his much lower center of gravity to shove Cain back, coming out ahead in the first grapple. As he steps back, however, Cain unleashes a huge punch which clobbers JC in the jaw, knocking him to a knee. They both step back, wary of each other's strength and power, before quickly slamming together in another grapple. Cain breaks his grip, letting JC take the advantage again in return for throwing a massive overhead down on JC! JC evades this as he spins around Cain and clinches a waistlock, and looks to German suplex his huge opponent! Cain shifts his weight, and JC can't get him up before the big man turns around in place with an elbow aimed for JC's face! JC almost dodges again, but takes a glancing blow to the temple that staggers him back! Cain comes at him with a baseball-mitt sized fist, but JC catches the blow, and throwing a punch of his own back! Cain takes the hit hard, and attempts to return one of his own! JC blocks again! And another return! No, this time Cain blocks, catching JC's hand and yanking him into a crushing shoulderblock!

Caelan Tyler: Wow, you get the feeling watching this that this match could end at any point if just one of those knockout punches lands perfectly! Lately NLW has been a smaller man's federation, but this battle is taking us back to the last era of this company, where the roster was full of goliaths!

Jake Steel: I miss those days. Ice Man, Street Shark, Archangel, Drake Hazard...we had so many big guys with ridiculous power that I was sure I was going to see an actual death in the ring at some point.

Caelan Tyler: You'd like that, wouldn't you?

Jake Steel: In general, yes. Specifically, to Josh Allen, absolutely.

JC gets whipped to the ropes, and on the return Cain is waiting, hunched over for a back body drop. JC delivers a swift kick to Cain's abdomen, before clinching him by the arms and flipping the giant overhead and to the mat with a butterfly suplex! JC throws himself over Cain for a cover, but Cain immediately presses JC off of him. Cain recovers quickly, getting to his knees, but JC shoves him down and locks in a camel clutch! Cain struggles, but his size is being used against him, with JC stretching his back perhaps moreso than he could to a smaller man. Cain quickly gets to the ropes, and JC milks the referee's five count for as long as possible before finally breaking the hold. By then Cain has almost lifted him off his feet with the ropes for support, and JC slides off, driving several forearms into Cain's back further.

Caelan Tyler: I wonder if this is a game plan on JC's part, or just happens to be his first chance at doing damage to Cain. He's been doing damage to the back, which is pretty wise.

Jake Steel: It doesn't matter how big you are, if your back's hurting, you aren't doing anything.

Caelan Tyler: Surprisingly astute for you, Jake. Normally if it doesn't involve steel chairs, you just don't notice.

Jake Steel: I'm trying to branch out. It's boring as hell, let me tell you, but I'm trying, damn it.

Vincent Cain is leaning on the ropes, stretching his back and recovering, while JC bounces off the opposite ropes, coming at him with a clothesline aimed to send Cain right over the top rope! Cain has other plans, though, as he delivers a big boot that drops JC right in the middle of the ring! Cain follows with a series of stomps, pummelling his opponent now that their positions are reversed from moments before. JC starts to get up, only to have Cain grab him by the throat and ram him into the turnbuckles, blasting his ribs with repeated shoulderblocks, and then turning to fierce punches that leave JC rocked in the corner! He staggers out, stunned and almost out on his feet, while Cain climbs the turnbuckles in the corner!

Caelan Tyler: Whoa, that's a big fella on the top rope! This is the very definition of high-risk right here!

Jake Steel: This could get ugly! Awesome!

JC staggers almost completely across the ring before he finally turns, and catches a huge flying spear from Vincent Cain, who flies across the span of the ring! The collision blasts JC into the opposite corner, and he quickly rebounds to the mat, before rolling almost unconscious out of the ring. Cain doesn't rise immediately either, instead shifting onto his back near the corner, pain etched on his face as the maneuver clearly took a lot out of him as well.

Caelan Tyler: That was like watching a plane crash into a train! I don't know if JC will be able to get back in the ring in time!

Jake Steel: You know, I read somewhere that Randy Rhodes was always afraid of dying in a plane crash, so he took a tour bus everywhere instead. And then a plane crashed onto his bus.

Caelan Tyler: What does that prove?

Jake Steel: I just figured I'd play on your metaphor there. You know, show that there's more than one way to Skynyrd a cat. OH! I WIN!

Caelan Tyler: Horrific pun, but amazing topical reference. I don't even have a word for that.

Jake Steel: It's a shame that only when planes are referenced do I suddenly contribute to a broadcast. Any other time, zilch!

The referee begins the count on JC, who remains motionless outside the ring. Inside, Vincent Cain remains on his back through the three count on his opponent, at which point he finally crawls to the ropes, and slowly gets to his feet. It's a five count before JC finally gets to his knees, but still looks dazed as all hell. By seven JC is leaning on the apron, shaking off the cobwebs, but before he can chance a count out or recover on his own, Cain's reached down and grabbed JC by the hair! The referee breaks the count as Cain pulls JC up, forcing him to climb up onto the apron! JC slugs Cain with a few wild punches, but the giant still has a grip on him! Suddenly, JC lets his legs give out as he grabs onto Cain's arm, and snaps his arm over the rope with all of his weight! Cain's grip is finally broken as he stumbles into the middle of the ring, clutching his arm, while JC tumbles to the outside, and slowly gets back to his feet.

Caelan Tyler: Nice counter there on JC's part, who desperately needed to reverse the momentum since that flying spear knocked him into next week.

Jake Steel: Wouldn't it be funny if that were true? Like JC randomly pops into an unrelated match next week, and we're like 'Oh, it was just that spear from Cain way back when...'

Caelan Tyler: I...uh...suppose. Are you okay, Jake?

Jake Steel: Sure! My doctor says I'm healthy as a horse. I've got twice the pill problem as Amy Winehouse and look at how much better I carry it!

Caelan Tyler: What?!

Jake Steel: I mean...here in NLW, we don't condone or encourage the use of illicit substances or unauthorized prescription drugs.

Caelan Tyler: When they yell at you through the headset...don't repeat it verbatim next time, alright?

JC gets back into the ring, and the two slowly circle each other as if the match had freshly started. Both are looking worse for wear, though, already breathing heavily and favoring various parts. They come together for a grapple and it's JC who goes straight for the knee to the abdomen, immediately hunching the bigger man. He steps beside Cain, locking in a side position full nelson, before rearing back and yanking Cain into the air! As he falls back he slams Cain hard into the mat with something halfway between a full nelson slam and a dragon suplex! JC covers Cain!

1...

2...

Kickout! Cain emphatically throws one shoulder up, as JC shakes his head in frustration.

Caelan Tyler: It looks like JC is actually stronger than Cain, pound for pound, but Cain is still so big that a maneuver like that takes almost everything out of JC!

Jake Steel: Cain's around the three hundred mark, but he's so tall that he's not actually as heavy as he could be. He's sort of the Randy Johnson of the wrestling world.

Caelan Tyler: You and your porn references, Jake.

Jake Steel: What? No, seriously. Randy Johnson's a famous pitcher.

Caelan Tyler: I know what that means, Jake, keep that kind of filth to yourself!

Jake Steel: But...ah, screw it.

Caelan Tyler: Is that a quote there, too? You just can't leave it alone, can you?

JC is slow to his feet, but still has plenty of time to lead Cain into a standing headscissor as he slowly recovers. JC reaches as far as he can, locking Cain's legs and getting him off the ground for the Answer, his trademark package piledriver! Cain's legs slip free though, and his weight shifts, thwarting the maneuver. Suddenly it's JC who finds himself on unstable ground as Cain rises, freeing himself enough to clinch JC in the air and crush him to the mat with an elevated spinebuster! Cain takes a moment to catch his breath, and appears to consider a cover, before opting not to, and instead slowly lifts JC to his feet and clamps a hand to his throat. JC goes up and and then swiftly down, crashing to the mat on his back as Cain delivers a chokeslam, and gestures that it's time for the end.

Caelan Tyler: Vincent Cain's saying it's time for the Nocturnal Crucifixion!

Jake Steel: Holy non-PG move names, Batman!

Caelan Tyler: That's a crucifix powerbomb lift, switched into an elevated powerbomb before bringing his opponent down. What it means?

Jake Steel: Pain?

Caelan Tyler: And the end.

Vincent Cain gets JC into position, but JC fights out of it, trying to lift Cain by the legs, but Cain fires some clubbing blows down onto JC's head and back, before locking him back up. Cain finally gets JC up, but JC slips off of Cain as Cain shifts his grip! Cain turns, looking to regain the momentum with a lariat intending for something resembling decapitation, but JC ducks, bouncing to the ropes! Now it's JC blasting Cain to the mat with a mammoth spear!

Caelan Tyler: What a mammoth hit! That was like...

Jake Steel: A plane hitting a train? Because you already used that one. What are you, preprogrammed to spit that one out anytime someone hits a spear?

Caelan Tyler: No, no! That was like...a...a...a small asteroid hitting an artificial satellite!

Jake Steel: Dear god, never mind. Stick to the formula; your improv metaphors are horrid.

JC pounds his chest, believing he's finally done some serious damage, but much to his shock, Vincent Cain recovers rather quickly, staggering right back to his feet!

Jake Steel: He's a zombie! Watch out, JC!

Caelan Tyler: Why? Zombies eat brains.

Jake Steel: Well duh! That's why...oh. Oh, I see what you did there.

JC immediately steps over to Cain, lifting the bigger man onto his shoulders awkwardly. He motions for Solitaire Unravelling, but almost immediately Cain shifts off of his shoulders, just too awkward a lift with Cain's height and weight. Cain swings for JC's head, but JC ducks and quickly turns and charges at Cain, throwing up a big boot that clobbers Cain right in the sternum.

Jake Steel: BIG BOOT OF DEATH! BIG BOOT OF DEATH! BIIIIIIIG BOOT OF DEATH! [/explodes]

Caelan Tyler: Not quite, Jake, normally the big boot hits the face, but Cain's just too tall! Wait...Jake? Jake?!

Cain is rocked by the boot, but he's quick to his knees, while obviously feeling the effects of the boot. JC rears back and delivers a second, this one connecting completely with Cain's face!

Jake Steel: [reappears] Phew...thank god for another one to reverse...that. It should be noted, Cael, don't ever use the phrase 'big boot of death' three times in a row. Baaaaaad mojo.

Caelan Tyler: Wha...but...never mind. I don't want to know. And where did you get that Dairy Queen Blizzard?!

Jake Steel: What Blizzard...AGH! Where the hell did that come from?! Hmm...but delicious, nonetheless.

Caelan Tyler: ...

The second boot finally leaves Cain motionless, but JC doesn't let Cain get a moment to recover, as he's immediately on top of him, smashing him with brutal punches to the face and head! The referee finally forces him off, but JC just drags Cain into the middle of the ring and stomps him a dozen or so times before resuming with the vicious mount punches!

Caelan Tyler: Wow, JC has gone off completely, he's making sure Cain is done for! He might even get himself disqualified!

Jake Steel: Disqualified? For what? This isn't against the rules, it's simply...wait for it...

Caelan Tyler: What? Oh.

Jake Steel: Wait for it!

Caelan Tyler: Just say it already!

Jake Steel: ...ABUSE~!

Cain isn't moving, but JC drags him back to his feet, whipping him to the ropes before leaping high in the air to nearly flip him inside out on the return with a flying lariat! The referee finally physically gets between JC and Cain, forcing JC to back off with the threat of a disqualification! JC yells at the referee, before shoving him aside and yanking Cain into a dragon sleeper! JC's yelling for the referee to call the match now for him if he's got a problem with him!

Caelan Tyler: I think the ref ought to listen, here, he's gotta stop this! Cain could be severely injured here!

Jake Steel: Come on, now. If JC cranks just a little harder, Cain will always have a future career as a human Pez dispenser.

Cain isn't fighting the hold at all, just hanging motionless, before the referee finally calls for the bell, and attempting to raise JC's arm in victory! JC refuses to break the hold, however, giving the ref his other arm, defiantly! Finally, a moment later, he lets go, letting Cain tumble awkwardly to the mat, unmoving.

Caelan Tyler: JC with the win via referee stoppage! JC's on a tear since he hit NLW last show!

Jake Steel: You think he's on a tear? Imagine what Ethan Dashery and now Vincent Cain think of him!

Caelan Tyler: Speak of the devil!

Sure enough, JC quickly bails from the ring, narrowly missing a chair shot from Ethan Dashery, who has slipped in from the crowd! Dashery swings over the ropes, again almost hitting JC, who retreats up the ramp defiantly. Inside the ring, Ethan gestures furiously with the chair, and pointing at his neck with a threat to JC.

Caelan Tyler: Boy, Ethan means business! From here I can hear him screaming that next time it'll be JC's neck, and then him clanging that chair against the mat!

Jake Steel: The boy's got some anger issues, don't ya think?

Caelan Tyler: He's got issues like a magazine. Take your pick.

Jake Steel: ...LAME.

Caelan Tyler: What?

Jake Steel: So very lame...

Caelan Tyler: Anyways Jake, I feel like I've gone to Rome and kissed the feet of the Pope. I mean, I'm here, in Oklahoma City! This is JA's home state! It's GREAT!

Jake Steel: Oklahoma City is a city, not a state, dumbass. Oklahoma is his home state. And I don't know what you're getting all worked up about. These people like 'Boomer Sooner,' guns and ... well, guns. I bet half the crowd's packin' heat tonight.

Caelan Tyler: And we'd all hate to see one go off and hit you. Tragedy, that would be......

Jake Steel: Whatever. Rednecks.

'Riot' by Three Days Grace brings the crowd straight up, and the support for their own shushes Jake and Caelan and Josh Allen appears on stage, the NLW Championship slung over his right shoulder.

Caelan Tyler: FINALLY!

Jake Steel: I'd say, you nearly wet yourself in anticipation. Weird son of a bitch. I'm going to get some popcorn and aspirin.

Caelan Tyler: You're sitting your ass down!

Caelan pushes Jake into his seat as Allen walks down the aisle slowly. Josh stops to acknowledge a few of the signs declaring OKC as 'Sooner Country.' He passes them by and makes his way up the ringside steps and into the center of the ring, taking a microphone. To his own surprise, the hometown crowd continues its applause. Allen waits, and a quick grin slips out before he can stop it.

Josh Allen: You know, I came out...

The screams drown out his voice. He waits again.

Josh Allen: ...I came out to try and be a badass, and get an important message across, but if you'd like to do this all night, I can live with that.

He looks around as more cheers spread throughout the crowd. Finally, enough people settle in that Josh tries again.

Josh Allen: I came back to NLW after what could have been a career-ending illness. I fought my way back to this belt, and took back what was rightfully mine. And since then, I've been fighting the shitheads sitting at big desks in the back, trying to take back NLW, which also was once mine. Not take it back for me, but trying to take it back for YOU.

More cheers and applause.

Josh Allen: Every move I made, Eriq tried to checkmate me, tried to screw it up. Well, fine. I told you what would happen. I told you that if you kept up your bullshit, you'd see this company die. So I came out here to demand...

Caelan Tyler: Oh damn, he's using the 'd' word... that's not going to go well...

Josh Allen: ...Eriq Mobely walk his happy little ass out here, and explain to me and the NLW world what the hell he's smoking. We grow some damn fine weed in Oklahoma, but he must have some foreign shit! So come on out.

Jake Steel: Yeah, good idea, Allen. Piss off the boss, demand he come out and speak to you. See how far that gets you.

The crowd looks to the entrance, waiting for Eriq. What they get, though, is a completely different matter as 'The Instinct' hits the speakers and the NLW Commissioner makes his entrance. The fans immediately erupt into a mixed reaction--half cheering the man who's fought for them in the past, half booing him because of his checkered past with their hometown hero.

Caelan Tyler: Something tells me that this is not going to go well.

Jake Steel: I hate to agree with you, Caelan, but I think our Commissioner is about to get his neck broken completely here. Allen's in no mood to mess around with, and I hope that fat bastard gets his!

The crowd fades to silence, as does 'The Instinct,' as the big man turns to face the NLW Champion.

The Phoenix: I knew full well that when I came here tonight, there was a fair chance you and I would have to have a one-on-one discussion. See, our employees do not simply come out and 'demand' we do anything. If that were the case, I'd be demanding that I get the chance to break Jesse Williams' neck in this ring like he tried to do to me. Be that as it may, Josh, the NLW Board of Directors have seen fit to give me the position of commissioner. It's Eriq's way of fixing this company. I hate to break your heart, old timer, but this is his way of saying your services - outside this ring - will never be required again.

The fans boo. Sweat drips down Allen's forehead, into and around his eyes as his face grows red with anger. He breathes heavily and steps back away from The Phoenix, as if trying to keep himself from getting physical.

Josh Allen: You know, 'commissioner...'

Jake Steel: Now he's just being sarcastic. Again, not a good call.

Caelan Tyler: What's The Phoenix going to do? He's injured, right?

Josh Allen: I just turned 30 years old this year. Yep, the big 3-0. And maybe you haven't realized this yet, but this 'old timer' is only but a couple years beyond you. And yet, even at 28, you've held... how many world titles is it, again?

The Phoenix raises his microphone to respond, but Allen cuts him off.

Josh Allen: Zero! It's a simple answer, really. Here I am, now with my fourth. Not to mention the laundry list of others that go along with my history. But take note. I'm tired of this company's shit. You can't get it together? Fine. This will be my final NLW world title, because I quit.

Allen drops the microphone, the crowd growing quiet as Allen shoves The Phoenix out of the way and drops to the floor below.

Caelan Tyler: WHAT?! NO! NO! You can't quit, Josh! Your people need you!

Jake Steel: The ratings have just taken a turn for the better! At last, Josh Allen is leaving NLW! For good!

Allen storms up the aisle, but The Phoenix catches him. Planting a meaty hand on Josh's shoulder, he spins the champ around so that he is looking into the eyes of the man in charge.

The Phoenix: Not so fast, Josh. Two things. First, you can claim all the titles you want, but while I may just be two years younger, I've also only been doing this for a total of three out of the last ten years. At least get the facts correct before you start spouting facts out of your ass. Second, you should know that just simply quitting NLW is not that simple. When NLW brought you back in, they did what any smart company would do. They wrote in a defense clause. Your match tonight against Ray Lopes is not an option, and if you choose to ignore OUR demands, we'll slap a fine on you big enough to buy every last piece of stock you have in that publication company you own. Tonight, NLW still owns you...and lest anyone forget, wasn't it around this time last year where you are quoted as simply saying, 'Fuck the Fans?'

Allen stares a hole through The Phoenix from his position halfway up the aisle to the stage area. He looks around at the Oklahoma City crowd and nods, Phoenix's last comment apparently not even worth giving a response to.

Josh Allen: Okay. If that's how you want to play this, I'll play along. Tonight, it's Josh Allen defending his NLW Championship title against Ray Lopes... in the very last match of Josh Allen's career.

The fans cheer, but are a bit unsure of how to react at the announcement.

Josh Allen: And since you guys still 'own' me, how about you lean down, pucker up and kiss my ass!

'Riot' by Three Days Grace blares again, and Allen raises his gold title into the air before disappearing to the back. On the ramp, The Phoenix shakes his head and can be seen muttering something about 'a disease' as he starts to head to the back as well.

Caelan Tyler: Damn. The Commissioner just got verbally bitch-slapped by Josh Allen. Talk about a bad start to your tenure.

Jake Steel: Heh. Fat boy got owned. This could be great.

Caelan Tyler: What do you mean?

Jake Steel: If the rest of the roster gives Phoenix that little respect, he may be the worst commissioner in NLW history!

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! Introducing first, from Warwick, Rhode Island... Weighing in at 195 pounds... ETHAN DASHERY!

Caelan Tyler: I'm still in shock at how he's managed to keep going in the ring despite the neck injury he's fought through, Jake.

Jake Steel: I said it before, I'll say it again: it just proves that he's tougher than most! This guy is future champion material, Cael!

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: Drake joins us from OWF, which I hear is beginning a farewell tour in the coming weeks.

Jake Steel: Eh, let them. We've got their good talent here in NLW anyway, and besides, we don't allow guns in any arena we hold a show at. We're committed to safety here!

Caelan Tyler: I think a few people would disagree on the safety part of that comment, Jake....

As the bell sounds, both men close in on each other and meet in the center of the ring for a staredown. It's obvious that both men are talking trash to each other, and Munday is the first to resort to physical action as he shoves Dashery away. Ethan responds with a shove of his own, and as Drake comes back for a second shove Ethan blatantly rakes the eyes of the former OWF Network champion. A kick to the gut follows, and then a small package as Ethan looks to steal a quick one!

1...

2...

Two and a quarter only, as Drake is able to get free. Both men are back up, and Dashery slaps on a side headlock that Drake is able to wriggle out of and counter into a hammerlock. Munday then slaps the back of Ethan's head before releasing the hold, and it doesn't take a rocket scientist to tell that Drake's flippant attitude has started to annoy the blueblood.

Jake Steel: Drake, don't do it, you're just going to get Ethan angry, and you wouldn't--

Caelan Tyler: Jake, I'm stopping you there before you get us sued for copyright infringement.

Jake Steel: Damn spoilsport....

Ethan charges in for a clothesline, which Drake counters into a drop toe hold. A quick slap to the back of the head follows before Munday applies a side headlock of his own. Ethan takes a few moments to slip out the back side of it, delivering a forearm to the base of Drake's neck. A punch to the kidneys follows this, and as Munday is stunned from the shot Ethan goes downstairs with a chop block to drop Drake to the mat. Ethan again goes for the quick cover:

1...

2...

Shoulder up right after the two. Getting to his feet, Ethan pulls Drake up to a vertical base before raking the eyes again to keep the Green Bay native off-balance. Heading to the ropes, Dashery looks for a clothesline, but instead eats a dropkick as Munday recovers and nails Ethan coming in!

Caelan Tyler: Drake able to recover in time; nice textbook dropkick by the former OWF Network champ.

Jake Steel: Okay, okay, I'll give him that much credit at least.

Taking a moment to get his bearings straight, Drake spots Ethan getting to his feet and drops him with a clothesline. Several well-placed boots to the head and neck area follow, and the pain is obvious on Dashery's face as Drake asserts control of the match. Pulling Ethan up by the head and neck, Munday sends his opponent into the ropes and delivers a textbook back body drop. On impact, Ethan is quick to roll to the ropes and get out to the arena floor to break the momentum of his opponent as he gingerly rubs his neck to get some of the soreness out. He's too close to the apron though, and Drake makes him pay with a baseball slide dropkick to the back of the head. Dashery tumbles to the base of the entrance ramp as Drake slides outside to retrieve him. Wasting no time, Drake throws Ethan back into the ring and slides in after him, already eyeing up the head as a target. A quick elbow to the base of the neck follows this, and Drake is solidly in control early as he follows this up with a second elbow to the same spot.

Caelan Tyler: Is it just me or does Drake seem determined to make a name for himself here tonight?

Jake Steel: He just better make sure that he doesn't piss Ethan off. All I'm saying.

Ethan seems slow to get up, and Drake decides to make the matters slightly worse as he bounces off the far side ropes and hits another low dropkick to the side of Dashery's head. The impact stops any effort Ethan had been making to stand up, and Drake decides now to make his first cover of the match, hooking the leg closest to the ropes:

1...

2...

Shoulder up at two and a half! Undaunted, Drake pulls Ethan to his feet and whips him into the ropes. Off the rebound, a hip toss is Drake's offense of choice, followed by a quick leg drop across the throat. As Dashery rolls onto his stomach and begins to slowly press himself to his feet, Drake walks over to the ropes behind Ethan, his eyes never leaving his target.

Caelan Tyler: Drake Munday's in firm control here; whatever he's got planned next for Dashery isn't going to go over well with Ethan, I think.

Jake Steel: Thank you, Captain Obvious. What's next, 'Dashery has an injured neck?' Give the peons at home some credit, at least!

Caelan Tyler: ...

Ethan is able to get his legs under him and begins to rise to his feet. He doesn't quite make it, though, as Drake comes charging in with a running bulldog. The impact rattles the ring as Ethan's head is driven face-first into the canvas. Not pausing to catch a breath, Munday pulls Dashery up to his feet again and hits a spinning neckbreaker to further damage the already weakened neck of his opponent. Drake looks for another cover but in vain as Ethan's leg is under the bottom rope. Seeing this, Drake pulls Ethan about a foot away from the ropes and then assumes a mount position, raining down right hands on the temple of Dashery repeatedly. The ref finally forces a break, but the damage has been done as Ethan looks out of it. Another cover by Munday:

1...

2...

Two and a half only, as Ethan kicks out.

Jake Steel: See, Ethan's just proving that he can take all sorts of punishment to his neck and still keep fighting. Drake Munday doesn't have a chance.

Caelan Tyler: Keep telling yourself that, Jake. Whatever lets you go to sleep at night.

Jake Steel: ...Wait. When the hell did you learn the sarcastic comments?

Caelan Tyler: Wouldn't you love to know.

Munday begins to look a bit annoyed as he pulls Ethan to his feet and whip him into the ropes. On the rebound, Drake jumps as if going for a hurricanrana, but Dashery ducks underneat, the momentum taking him into the opposite ropes. A double clothesline results as both men have the same idea in mind, and both fall to the canvas. Drake stirs quickly, not having absorbed nearly the amount of punishment so far that Ethan has, and begins to regain a vertical base. Ethan's only movement for a few seconds is to bring a hand up to his neck before slowly trying to gather himself back together. Drake is back up a few moments later, his eyes locked on the slowly-moving form of Dashery as he crouches near the corner, lining up his opponent.

Jake Steel: Seriously, Cael. It's like we're in Bizarro-world...or Canada...or something. You're never this sarcastic.

Caelan Tyler: Well, if your best friend announced that he was retiring tonight out of protest to management, wouldn't you be upset too?

Jake Steel: Why not blame Phoenix? It's always his fault anyway.

Caelan Tyler: ...

It seems almost an eternity before Dashery finally stands, a hand still clutching his neck as he turns towards where Munday is waiting. Drake charges, hitting max speed halfway during the run before ducking slightly and nearly cutting Ethan in half with a hard spear! The dual whiplash effect does Ethan's neck no favors as the back of Dashery's head slams onto the canvas after the impact. Drake makes a motion that this match is over as he hooks both legs for the cover:

1...

2...

Thre--no! Dashery gets a shoulder up at the very last possible moment! The look on Drake's face says it all: 'What else do I have to do to end this?' His decision comes a moment later, as he motions for Dashery to get up. Drake's eyes are locked on the head and neck of his opponent as Ethan groggily tries to get back up.

Caelan Tyler: It looks like Drake Munday wants to end this match right now, Jake.

Jake Steel: It'll never work.

Caelan Tyler: Why?

Jake Steel: Drake's a guy who had his infant son defend his OWF Network title, Cael. A one-year-old child. What makes you think that Drake takes this seriously?

Caelan Tyler: That's actually a good point, Jake. I'm impressed.

Drake can see the weakness, and has been around enough to know when to capitalize on it. Ethan barely has the strength to get to a vertical base (or so it seems) as Drake charges in. Munday looks for Darkness, but Ethan somehow has the wherewithal to shove Munday off of him, and Drake goes sailing over the top rope and to the floor outside as Ethan finds a way out of Drake Munday's finisher! Ethan staggers to a corner, slumped against the ropes as Drake now has to get back in the ring after that spill to the outside. The thirty seconds it takes for the ref to get to a count of eight is enough for Dashery to be able to function somewhat as Drake finally rolls back in, looking a bit worse for wear after that tumble to the outside. Munday begins to close in on Ethan in the corner, but is caught off-guard (as is the rest of the audience) when Ethan explodes out of the corner with a lariat clothesline that drops Munday to the mat! A quick elbow drop follows this, as does a cover by Ethan:

1...

2...

Two and a half only, as Drake gets the shoulder up! Without pausing, Ethan pulls Drake up to his feet and delivers a hard DDT, bouncing Munday's face off the mat before going for another cover:

1...

2...

Two and three-quarters that time!

Caelan Tyler: I think the recovery time was enough for Ethan to get a second wind, Jake.

Jake Steel: And now Drake Munday will die.

Caelan Tyler: Aren't you being harsh?

Jake Steel: Ethan's got money. He can make Munday vanish.

Caelan Tyler: I call BS on that.

Jake Steel: It's true. Jimmy Hoffa? He got Ethan's father angry. It's been forty years and they still haven't found him yet!

Caelan Tyler: ....

Jake Steel: Hey, wait. Did you just 'four-dot' me?

Caelan Tyler: Just call the match, Jake.

The adrenaline seems to be pumping through Ethan's body, as he steps out onto the apron and climbs to the top rope, looking down at Drake who is getting to his feet. Drake finally does, and as he turns Ethan leaps...missile dropkick connects and Drake is down! Ethan is slow to get up, but finally manages to crawl into a cover:

1...

2...

Thre--no, foot on the ropes! Ethan's groan of frustration is clearly audible as he punches the mat. He's not as quick to get up as he was a minute ago, but it's enough as he pulls Drake to his feet and hits a spinning European uppercut. He follows this up with a second one, and then hits a standing dropkick which catches Drake square in the face. In control, Ethan looks for a cover again:

1...

2...

Thre--no! Drake with the kickout at the last moment! Dashery looks winded as he starts to get to his feet.

Jake Steel: You've got this in hand, Ethan. Put him away!

The ref leans in to check on Dashery's neck and see if the youngster wants to continue on. Behind them, unseen to either man, is Drake starting to get up and close in on Ethan. Dashery clearly tells the official 'I can still move, damn it, I'm fine!' Drake is within reach now and looks for a double axe handle to the base of the neck--but Drake is able to bring a leg up in a mule kick low blow that the ref didn't see! Munday staggers backward, holding himself as Ethan turns and rolls up Drake in a small package:

1...

2...

3! Dashery steals another one as the bell sounds! He rolls out of the ring, looking at Drake seething between the ropes as the announcement gets made.

Zach King: Here is your winner: ETHAN DASHERY!

Jake Steel: I'll be damned, Ethan pulled it out again Cael!

Caelan Tyler: You've got to wonder when this streak is going to end, or when his body just won't go any more.

Jake Steel: Until it does, I think he could be the next NLW Champion!

Caelan Tyler: Strangely enough, you may be on to something there...
The scene cuts backstage, where a visibly upset Vincent Cain has seemingly recovered from his match with JC. He bumps into the NLW Legacy champion Ray Lopes who has been watching the action on one of the many monitors they have set up backstage to prepare for his match.

Ray Lopes: Nice match, big guy!

Cain doesn't look too amused.

Ray Lopes: Way to go, one show you're making your debut beating the NLW champ, this week you open the show and lose to a guy whose name unabbreviated is Joe Cool! I guess if I'm not special referring for you and helping you out, you can't get the job done, can you?

Vincent Cain: I didn't need your help to beat Allen and I made sure I made myself clear that I didn't after the match when I choke slammed you for making it look like I needed your help!

Ray Lopes: Yeah, about that...

Ray grabs the monitor he just watched the match on, jumps up and slams it into the side of the big man's head, laying him out.

Ray Lopes: Nobody hits me with a cheap shot and gets away with it! Now, I got a match I need to get to.

The fans in attendance all cheer as Ray looks down at the giant he just brought down a notch or two before taking off to the entrance ramp.

Caelan Tyler: This is just not Vincent Cain's night tonight, is it?

Jake Steel: Things definitely aren't going his way.

Caelan Tyler: Those are the worst kind of nights to have in this business, although it looks like Ray is really pumped for his title match here.

Jake Steel: Certainly looks that way.

'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 before entering the cage through the open door.

Zach King: The following is a steel cage match and is for the NLW Championship! Introducing first, the challenger... From Los Angeles, California... Weighing in at 225 pounds... He is the NLW Legacy Champion... RAY LOPES!

Caelan Tyler: Ray's been unstoppable since joining NLW, winning the Legacy Championship off of Nick James, so it'll be interesting to see what happens tonight.

Jake Steel: I think he tears Josh Allen a new one and the Championship stays in NLW.

Caelan Tyler: Could be.

'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: And his opponent, from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma... Weighing in at 221 pounds... He is the NLW Champion... JOSH ALLEN!

Josh enters the cage, eyeing Lopes before handing his championship belt to the ref, who hands it off to the stagehand outside the ring before closing the door on the cage.

Caelan Tyler: I'm curious to see what kind of show Josh Allen puts on with his last match in a NLW ring.

Jake Steel: Probably something boring because that's how he rolls.

Caelan Tyler: ...

Josh Allen looks quite annoyed as the door to the steel cage is locked, trapping him inside with the challenger Ray Lopes. The bell rings, and Allen immediately realizes how dangerous this could be for him as Ray smashes him from behind with a forearm smash, sending the champ stumbling forward into the ropes. Ray then grabs him and sends the champ charging across the ring with an irish whip, leveling him with a shoulder block as Allen rebounds. Allen pops back to his feet, only to catch a hard right to the temple. Staggered by the blow, Allen is helpless as Lopes whips him into the cage, quickly asserting his dominance in the early going.

Caelan Tyler: Lopes is wasting absolutely no time here getting the cage involved in this match.

Jake Steel: Yes! Start that abuse early!

Caelan Tyler: I can't think of too many matches that Josh Allen would want to have be his last match in NLW less than a cage match, especially not against a guy like Lopes.

Jake Steel: Yeah, you don't want a guy that can brawl like Lopes can in a cage. He's going to open up a can on your boy here.

Caelan Tyler: God I hope not.

Measuring the champ, Lopes pulls back his right, looking to score another blow to Allen's head when Josh ducks out of the way, Lopes fist cracking into nothing but steel. The look on Lopes' face lets the world know that his errant punch certainly didn't tickle, and Allen follows that up with a boot to the midsection that doubles over the challenger. Locking in a front facelock, Allen attempts to go for a DDT, but Lopes appears to have that well-scouted, grabbing Allen by the midsection and spinning him around, slamming the champ into the cage!

Jake Steel: More cage abuse! Lopes is giving the crowd what it wants!

Caelan Tyler: I don't the crowd wants to see their hometown guy get slapped around like this.

Jake Steel: Fine, he's giving me what I want to see, and that's Josh Allen abuse!

Caelan Tyler: Somehow I don't think your opinion represents the average fan Jake.

Jake Steel: I beg to differ my friend. M-V-Dub M-V-Dub!

Caelan Tyler: Oy.

Capitalizing on the counter, Lopes goes for the first pin attempt of the match:

1...

2...

No, Allen gets his shoulder up! Undeterred, Lopes delivers a boot to Allen before pulling the champ to his feet... only to get raked in the eyes for his trouble. Lopes stumbles backwards a bit trying to regain his vision, and Allen uses a dropkick to take the backpedaling Ray off of his feet. Ray pops up, this time catching a flying forearm across his chin. With momentum starting to shift in his direction, Allen lifts up Lopes, delivering a snap suplex that slams Lopes' legs into the cage then down across the top rope.

Caelan Tyler: Allen doing whatever it takes to put himself back into this match, even if that means dusting off moves that you don't see him use in your normal match.

Jake Steel: Well, at least he's applying the abuse and not being the flying around faerie he normally is in matches.

Caelan Tyler: He's not a faerie Jake.

Jake Steel: Hey man, he used to hang out with Skye Ricardo. Seems pretty open and shut to me.

Caelan Tyler: Just because you're friends with a guy like Skye doesn't mean you're one of them.

Jake Steel: I just keep imagining that scene from Freaks, except with frilly boas and hot pants.

Caelan Tyler: ...

Caelan Tyler: One of us! One of us!

Dragging Lopes away from the cage, Allen goes for a quick pin attempt:

1...

2...

No, Lopes kicks out. Shaking his head, Allen immediately applies a headlock, looking to wear down his challenger. In spite of the side headlock, Ray manages to power to his feet before delivering an elbow to Josh's side and shoving him off. Immediately Ray goes back on the attack, not giving Allen enough time to react before the champ finds himself on the receiving end of an atomic drop. Ray then lifts Allen up into a powerslam position before charging towards the cage. At the last moment Josh manages to slip out the back, shoving Lopes forward into the cage. Ray's head bounces off of the steel, and Allen then drapes him throat-first across the second rope, using his foot to grind Lopes' neck into it.

Caelan Tyler: Lopes was able to momentarily get in some offense, but Josh quickly put a stop to that.

Jake Steel: As much as I hate to say it, Josh Allen is really holding his own in there.

Caelan Tyler: Why is that so hard to admit Jake? He's not a two time NLW Champion for show you know. He gets the job done in the ring.

Jake Steel: Haha 'job'.

Caelan Tyler: ...You really are on drugs tonight are you Jake?

Jake Steel: No!

Caelan Tyler: I think they might have to start doing random drug testing again.

Jake Steel: I'm not I swear!

Allen continues to use the ropes to choke his opponent before deciding the time is right to try to escape from the cage. Heading across the ring, Josh begins his ascent by climbing to the top rope, then using that for a boost up. Allen's unable to get a quick hold, inadvertently buying Lopes the time he needed to catch his breath. Ray charges the corner, grabbing Allen's leg and pulling him down to the top turnbuckle. Allen kicks backwards, catching Ray in the jaw and sending him back a bit. Josh then sizes up the situation and re-steadies himself on the top rope, looking to take flight. Ray catches this out of the corner of his eye and throws himself into the top rope, shaking it and knocking Allen off of his perch, the champ crotching himself on the turnbuckle in the fall. Ray then heads over there, grabbing Allen by the head and climbing the turnbuckles. Allen tries to fight back, but Lopes is just too strong, and the challenger and the champion both go flying to the center of the ring with a superplex!

Caelan Tyler: Talk about a move that will put you right back into any match. Lopes with a massive superplex there on the champ!

Jake Steel: Crunch!

Caelan Tyler: Definitely going to be a tough move to recover from.

Jake Steel: Lopes as double champ! Come on, I wanna see it happen! NLW needs a champ that can bring the abuse!

With both men down, the referee starts his count. 1! No moment at all, as the champion caught the brunt of that impact and the challenger was already having a difficult time catching his breath before having the wind knocked right out of him from that. 2! The crowd seems incredibly torn here, as chants have started both for the hometown hero Allen and his well-liked challenger in Ray Lopes. 3! Both men are starting to stir a bit here, although it's still completely up in the air as to which one is going to regain their bearings first. 4! Lopes as managed to grab the ropes, and is slowly pulling himself up as the champ has rolled onto his stomach and is getting up. 5! Allen has managed to get himself to a vertical base, with Lopes doing the same not long afterwards. Allen goes for a quick jab, but finds it blocked before the challenger fires back with one of his own. Lopes follows it up with a couple more unanswered jabs before grabbing Allen and delivering an overhead belly to belly that crushes him into the side of the cage!

Caelan Tyler: Both men are really taking advantage of the steel cage surrounding the ring here, although Lopes seems to be hitting the more high impact moves involving it.

Jake Steel: You'd be an absolute fool not to take advantage of the steel surrounding the ring. That's like bringing a knife to a gun fight.

Caelan Tyler: Who does that?

Jake Steel: I'd expect Josh to.

Caelan Tyler: Yeah right, Josh would bring the biggest gun he could find.

Jake Steel: So he'd be overcompensated? I'd figure as much.

With the champ down Lopes decides to make good on an escape attempt of his own, scaling up the side of the cage. His movements make it clear that he's still struggling a bit to get his breathing back to normal, and he fails to notice that the champion has gotten himself untangled from the ropes after landing in them after the suplex. Lopes is pulling himself onto the top of the cage as Allen climbs up, grabbing his leg and yanking on it, trying to drag the challenger back in. Lopes attempts to continue his escape, but finds it impossible to pull both himself and Allen over. He pushes himself back into the cage, with Allen driving a forearm into his back as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Knowing an opening when he sees one, Allen delivers a shoulder block to Lopes' midsection, knocking the challenger back into the turnbuckles before standing up and stomping Lopes in the chest, each boot causing Lopes to slump down further in the corner.

Caelan Tyler: Looks like that escape attempt by Lopes backfired on him here, and now Allen is literally putting the boots to him.

Jake Steel: At this rate Lopes is going to have the bottom of Allen's boot imprinted on his chest, and I don't think Lopes wants to be rocking that. I think he's probably more of a Nike man.

Caelan Tyler: What makes you say that?

Jake Steel: Because Reeboks are for losers like Josh Allen.

Caelan Tyler: How many times does he have to prove you wrong before you'll start giving him the props he deserves Jake?

Jake Steel: Once more than he's capable of.

With Lopes down into a seated position, Allen puts his boot across his throat, using the ropes for leverage as he continues to try to drive the air out of Lopes' lungs. After a few moments of that Allen breaks the choke himself before stepping back several feet and charging the corner, delivering a seated dropkick that drives Lopes into the turnbuckles again. Pulling Lopes to his feet, the champ delivers a bulldog, driving Ray face-first into the canvas in the center of the ring. Allen then rolls him over and goes for the pin:

1...

2...

No, Ray gets his shoulder up!

Caelan Tyler: Josh Allen keeps dishing out the punishment here, but Lopes just doesn't seem to want to stay down.

Jake Steel: He wants that championship Cael. You want the #1 contender to have that kind of a drive to win a belt. I know you're used to contenders like The Phoenix or Kevin Heat, but Lopes is cut from a different cloth than most.

Caelan Tyler: He's definitely giving the champ a really physical match here.

Jake Steel: And he's going to walk out with the NLW Championship for his troubles, just you wait and see Cael.

Frustration starts to sink in at this point, as Allen was hoping he'd be able to put down Lopes in a hurry but to no avail. Allen pulls Lopes onto his hands and knees before dropping down and drilling Lopes in the back of the head with an elbow. Allen repeats this process a couple more times before pulling Ray to his feet and delivering a swinging neckbreaker that once again plants Lopes in the center of the ring and once again Allen goes for another pin:

1...

2...

No, Lopes manages to kick out yet again, just refusing to give up here!

Caelan Tyler: Wow... How many high impact moves does Josh Allen need to hit in order to get the job done tonight?

Jake Steel: He's probably better off just trying to escape the cage at this point. I don't think he's going to be able to put Lopes down anytime soon with a pinfall.

Caelan Tyler: I think you might be right there, best just to try to climb and use your speed to your advantage.

Jake Steel: That's about the only advantage he has right now the way this is going.

Frustration is clear on the champion's face as he pulls Lopes to his feet before signaling that he's looking to put the match away. Kicking Lopes in the gut, Allen positions himself for the Touch of Reality, but as he attempts to turn Ray over Ray fights back, spinning Josh around before lifting him up and throwing him into the cage with a spinebuster! Allen's head smacks against the steel and Lopes drops to his knees, trying to re-gather himself. A very solid 'Lopes' chant starts up as the challenger gets to his feet, pulling Allen up before hooking him and lifting him up vertically, holding him briefly before bringing the champ down with a brainbuster! Lopes goes for a pin:

1...

2...

No, the champ kicks out!

Caelan Tyler: I don't think I've seen a NLW Championship match that's been this back and forth with high impact moves in a very long time.

Jake Steel: Braaaaaainbustaaaaaaaaa!

Caelan Tyler: ...Was that really necessary Jake?

Jake Steel: Absolutely one hundred percent necessary Cael. It's not a brainbuster unless someone says that. It's wrestling law.

Caelan Tyler: It is?

Jake Steel: Absolutely.

Ray is slow to get up, with Josh Allen's attempts to keep him out of breath taking their toll on him, although the champion isn't in much better shape after getting his head bounced off of the steel like a basketball. Ray manages to stagger to his feet before the referee starts his ten count, telling the ref that he's got this under control. Ray then grabs Allen, picking him up and positioning for the Boxcutter. As he lifts Allen up though, the champ flips over him, grabbing Ray's legs and pulling him down with a sunset flip! Allen holds on for the pin to try to steal one:

1...

2...

No, Lopes manages to kick out in time. Both men get back to their feet, with Allen burying a knee in Lopes' midsection, doubling him over before delivering another knee, this time catching Ray across the bridge of his nose! Ray struggles to stay on his feet, and Allen charges the ropes, bouncing off and heading straight for the challenger. Lopes telegraphs it though, and uses Josh's own momentum against him to send him flying with a back body drop! Allen uses the ropes to pull himself up as Lopes walks over to him, greeting Ray with a mule kick that immediately drops him to his knees.

Caelan Tyler: We're starting to see some truly vicious back and forth between these two men here, as both guys are realizing that the other has no intention of breaking.

Jake Steel: Dirty and vicious, just what I love seeing out of ABUSE~!

Caelan Tyler: Well both men are really delivering for you on that end here tonight Jake.

Jake Steel: Damn right they are.

Allen quickly shoves Lopes face-first into the steel, grinding his face into it before stepping back and unloading with a roundhouse kick, connecting with the back of Ray's head and bouncing it off of the steel. A gash opens up on the challenger's forehead, and the moment the blood starts to pour Josh homes in on it, delivering rights to the wound in an attempt to open it up some more. With Ray dazed from getting to know the steel up close and personal, Allen pulls him back into his grip, setting up for and delivering the Touch of Reality! Allen makes a throat slashing gesture before rolling Ray over and putting his foot on Ray's chest, making a particular nonchalant pin:

1...

2...

No! Somehow, Lopes was able to find the energy to kick out!

Caelan Tyler: I don't believe this! Lopes just kicked out of the Touch of Reality! I don't think I've seen that happen in a NLW ring!

Jake Steel: I can't recall a time either. I told you this guy wasn't like the people Allen had faced before.

Caelan Tyler: That's just incredible...

Allen is absolutely flabbergasted at this point, and decides that discretion is the better part of valor and goes to climb the cage wall. Lopes isn't moving as Allen gets to the top turnbuckle, the wear and tear of the match making it obvious that he's in a lot of pain as he tries to climb. Lopes starts to stir as he pulls himself up, and Lopes manages to get to his feet as Allen pulls himself onto the top of the cage. Lopes climbs up onto the turnbuckles himself, standing on them as he grabs Allen's leg, pulling the champ back into the ring. Allen attempts to hold on for dear life, but can't as the challenger's strength advantage again comes into place. Ray pulls him down off of the top of the cage, but then unexpectedly positions him and sends both men flying down to the mat with a massive Boxcutter! A hushed silence falls over the crowd before a 'holy shit!' chant breaks out.

Caelan Tyler: WHOA!

Jake Steel: It looks like Ray damn near broke Allen in half with that!

Caelan Tyler: Lopes doesn't look to be in very good shape himself at this point though.

Jake Steel: This...this is why I watch wrestling!

Both men lay motionless as the referee starts his count. He gets to an eight this time before there's movement, but an important movement it is as Lopes manages to drape his arm over Josh Allen for the pin attempt:

1...

2...

No, despite all the odds saying that this shouldn't be happening, Allen got his shoulder up!

Caelan Tyler: How?! How did he just kick out of that?

Jake Steel: I have no clue at this point.

There's not a soul in the building that's not on their feet at this point as both men struggle to their feet, with Allen once again taking a shortcut, this time with an uppercut aimed in such a manner that Lopes will probably be singing soprano for a while. Using that to his advantage, Allen once again decides to try to climb the cage. Lopes opts instead to not try to chase Allen up the cage, but instead tells the referee to open the cage door. Allen panics as he realizes that he forgot about the door, and starts moving across the cage in an attempt to cut Lopes off. Still struggling to get to his feet, Lopes instead crawls to the door, the ref opening it for him to exit. Lopes manages to get his head and upper body through the door as Allen manages to get over to where the door is, his body draped over the top of the cage. Allen climbs over the top, using his leg to kick the door, driving it right into the opened-up forehead of Lopes! Lopes goes limp on impact, and Allen then drops to the floor, the bell ringing as he does so.

Zach King: Here is your winner... and STILL NLW Champion... JOSH ALLEN!

Caelan Tyler: I don't believe this. Ray gave it everything he got but in the end Allen was able to take advantage of the cage one last time to pull out the victory here.

Caelan Tyler: The abuse was insane! I think if this was any other type of match that Ray would've won it. Allen was just able to skin of his teeth get this one done.

Caelan Tyler: I can agree with that... but what about the NLW Championship now? The champ is done with NLW!

Caelan Tyler: I don't know...

Josh Allen smiles as he's handed his championship, hugging it to his body as he walks up the entrance ramp, leaving Lopes alone in the ring. Lopes sits up, looking quite disappointed as the crowd starts to clap and cheer loudly, with a 'that was awesome' chant starting up as the scene fades out...