AXW Ep. 76 [2.2.19]

We open to a jam packed Smoothie King Center in New Orleans as the cameras pan the arena on signs that read:

“ARIES WAS ROBBED!”

“WHY DID THEY LET HALL STAY CHAMP?”

“KING DUNK FOR AXW GM!”

and

“DO IT THE BILLY WAY…WAY!” just to name a few. We cut immediately to the ring, where already standing there is AXW Owner, The Notch, to a raucous ovation!”

The Notch: “Man, you guys are red hot tonight! Welcome to AXW Episode 76!”

The crowd chants “NOTCHY NOTCH”, as the man just smiles and nods.

The Notch: “Thank you very much. Now as I was saying last show, a new general manager is being appointed to handle the day to day operations and happenings of these programs, while yours truly handles any and all scouting and other, well, let’s face it, front office stuff.”

“So without further ado-“

The Notch is instantly interrupted by Digital Summer’s “Push Me” as the crowd gives that all too familiar mixed reaction to the ever smug Duncan Aries!

Mike Vincent: “Folks, welcome to AXW 76, and tonight, well, tonight we find out who our new general manager is-“

Cole Haywood: “Yeah, well first we are graced by a certifiable wrestling god in Duncan Aries, who I’m sure wants to know more than anybody just who this general manager is!”

Aries, in a denim jacket, black “Ace Of Spades” t-shirt, and blue stonewash jeans, enters the ring, once again basking in the glow of some of the hate from the crowd, while others actually give him hero worship, not that he cares. As his music fades, The Notch looks annoyed.

The Notch: “You know, this wasn’t really something you needed to be here for. Everybody else is waiting in the back there, watching like everybody else here, so-“

Duncan Aries: “Aww, did I ruin this little party? Pardon my Aries English when I say I don’t fucking care!”

The crowd boos as Aries chuckles.

Duncan Aries: “But, but there is one thing I do care about, and that’s whoever that little pencil pusher and “match maker” is that comes out here, does what’s right and gives me, yes me, my rightful AXW Championship shot!”

Aries smiles wide, hands extended, as The Notch sighs.

The Notch: “Are you done? Good. Because we have a show to run. But I will say this, I wouldn’t-“

Duncan Aries: “Wouldn’t what? Call this guy a pencil pusher? Question the logic of this fucking company for even allowing Danny Hall to remain champion when he defended the title ZERO times and got to sit on his ass and pretend to be something special? Who’s fucking idea was that anyways?”

The Notch: “That’s about enough. I’m going to enjoy this though. I know I will.”

Duncan Aries: “Oh will you?”

The Notch: “Yep. Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, the NEW AXW General Manager…BRUISER LAZZOU!!!”

Cole Haywood: “WHAT?!”

Mike Vincent: “Ha ha, yes!”

Aries’ mouth drops as “Code Red” by Nonpoint brings out former AXW Champion and AXW Hall Of Famer, Bruiser Lazzou! Clad in a red and blue trucker cap, matching Bruiser Business t-shirt and jeans, Lazzou storms the ring as the fans go wild. Fans chant “LAZZOU, LAZZOU, LAZZOU!”

Mike Vincent: “Listen to this place!”

Cole Haywood: “A world full of choices and our owner chooses this slob to handle the day to day?”

Lazzou shakes hands with The Notch, who, with a grin and wave to Aries, exits the ring. “Code Red” fades out as Lazzou is handed a mic, tapping it loudly before growling out to Aries, getting right in The Wild Card’s face.

Bruiser Lazzou: “DID YOU SAY SOMETHING, YA LITTLE RUNT?!”

The crowd roars as Aries glares back at Lazzou, not making a move.

Bruiser Lazzou: “That’s what I thought.”

Duncan Aries: “Shocked you think at all. Or by the scent of you, shower. You do eat though. You’re good at that.”

The crowd “Oohs” as Lazzou just smiles and nods, even laughing.

Cole Haywood: “SICK BURN!”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Cute, Duncan. Real cute. You were always full of words..but, not much else these days.”

The crowd once again “Oohs” as Aries rolls his eyes.

Mike Vincent: “He has a point there.”

Duncan Aries: “So you’re the general manager, huh? What, was no one else present at the buffet when The Notch stopped in for some grub?”

Bruiser Lazzou: “You know what, Duncan? Blow it out your ass!”

The crowd cheers, as Lazzou looks to have had enough.

Cole Haywood: “Listen to this blowhard, you can’t talk to talent like that!”

Mike Vincent: “Bruiser Lazzou does his own thing, always has.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “I was asked to do this job because I’m pretty damn impartial, and I call things like I see them, and speaking of, I just want to say if you’re looking for the guy who decided to keep Hall on as champion, you’re looking at him.”

Duncan Aries: “So a loser as champion decides another loser as champion deserves a second chance at closing this place. Brilliant move, dumb ass! Or is it Fat Ass? All hail, General Manager Fat Ass, everybody!”

Aries golf claps as the crowd boos, Lazzou’s face getting redder, but he takes a breath, calms himself.

Cole Haywood: “Hilarious! Hail Lord Lard Ass!”

Mike Vincent: “You’re both disgusting.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Ya know, Aries, you come out here, run your mouth, and then want me, a guy you just spent a few minutes insulting, to give you an AXW Championship match because, let me get this straight, a referee didn’t see your foot on the rope?”

Duncan Aries: “Damn straight! And unless you want to be out of a job quicker than you can finish a triple Whopper I suggest-“

Bruiser Lazzou: “I SUGGEST YOU SHUT THE HELL UP!”

Mike Vincent: “I love our general manager already. Put Aries in his place!”

Once again the crowd roars as Lazzou glares at Aries.

Bruiser Lazzou: “Last I checked, Aries, we’re all human, we all make mistakes, and that includes referee Mat Baker. So no, you’re not getting an AXW Championship title shot handed to you, that’s not how we do things around here!”

Duncan Aries: “This is bullshit! Luke put you up to this, didn’t he? Didn’t he?”

Bruiser Lazzou: “You really need to calm the hell down, Aries. Luke is so far removed from this place, and yet you’re still here, scared shitless over the specter of the guy. I said you’re not getting an AXW Championship shot handed to. That’s all I said.”

Duncan Aries: “Oh please, fearless leader, what hoop do I have to jump through now?”

Bruiser Lazzou: “No hoop at all. I come from the school of thought that if you give somebody a receipt, like you did in our main event, you pay for it, with tip. So before I came out here I had a chat with a guy you might know, DDV.”

The crowd chants those very initials as Aries huffs.

Cole Haywood: “Here we go.”

Duncan Aries: “You mean the guy who cheated his way into the main event and yet he is still looked at as some kind of hero?”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Well Duncan, he actually agrees that you two should face off again, no controversy, just one on one in that ring. He also feels you should get your ass kicked for the stunt you pulled last show, and I happen to agree with him on that.”

Duncan Aries: “Fine. I’ll kick his ass, and get my shot, is that it?”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Sure, plain and simple. Of course, if you lose.”

Duncan Aries: “Pfft, if I lose.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Yeah, see, myself and our esteemed owner, well we had a chat, and, well, like he has said, AXW is now also about making new stars, not resting on our laurels. It also isn’t about letting people just run roughshod around here. The more we talked, the more we realized that as much as you keep ending up here, Duncan, you really don’t like AXW, so let’s just say, if you lose tonight, you’re going on a little, how do I put it, vacation.”

Cole Haywood: “WOAH WOAH WOAH, what is he getting at?”

Duncan Aries: “A vacation? Have you lost your ever loving mind in retirement, Lazzou? I am the money maker of this company. I am the reason it has existed this long, there’s no way I’m-“

Bruiser Lazzou: “Oh I’m sorry, did I scare you? I didn’t mean a permanent vacation, Aries. In fact, I didn’t even mean you’d be gone from AXW. What I meant to say was your vacation, it will be from getting ANY title shots for one calendar year!”

Mike Vincent: “Oh man! Look at Duncan’s face!”

The crowd is buzzing as Aries stands there, dumbfounded. Lazzou slaps him hard on the shoulder.

Bruiser Lazzou: “No big deal, right? Another chapter in the story of Duncan Aries returning to the title, right? Ha, good luck pal!”

“Code Red” starts again as a stunned Aries is there, hand over his forehead, with Lazzou laughing as he goes.

Cole Haywood: “This is ridiculous! It seems no matter who is in charge, the deck is stacked against our living legend!”

Mike Vincent: “Who runs his mouth, pisses off authority figures, and makes you wonder if he even wants to be here anyways. He pissed off the wrong “pencil pusher” as he thought, and now tonight it’s put up or shut up for the loudmouth Aries!”



The shocking truth is that this match never got underway, as with The Rysing in the ring awaiting their opponents, they were attacked from behind by the emerging Kings In Chaos, Brandon Laux and Benji Matthews, double suplexing Jackson Kern onto the barricade and double super kicking Garrett Stevens before throwing him into the steel steps. As they went to leave up the ramp, looks of pure smug on their faces, they were encountered by Snot Rocket Cinema! The crowd was going crazy, but it wasn’t long until they too fell to Laux and Matthews, Jace getting hit with a wheelbarrow/stiff European uppercut combo and poor Brighton Fischer getting decimated with the Plebian Plummet (Shatter Machine) on the ramp! To a chorus of boos, the Kings In Chaos would bow, declaring “IS THIS THE BEST YOU’VE GOT, AXW?!” before departing to the back, cameras picking up all the sheer chaos these two kings of professional wrestling left in their wake.
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We cut to Mike Vincent and Cole Haywood at the commentary table.

Mike Vincent: “Folks, earlier today, as you’re about to see, we had ourselves a little altercation between Togo Oni and the man he eliminated in the four way elimination match last show, Billy Way.

Cole Haywood: “You mean THE Billy Way, Mike, and this was beautiful!”

We do indeed cut to earlier today, Togo Oni arriving at the arena, shaking hands with some backstage officials, and giving DDV a nod of respect. As Oni rounds the corner, he’s clobbered from behind by THE Billy Way, who grabs Oni by the hair and throws him into a soda machine, and then slams him onto a table. Raining down punches, we hear Way yell out “YOU’RE NOTHING, ONI! NOTHING!” before connecting with Oni’s jaw for a Billion Dollar Kick (roundhouse kick) sending him to the floor in a heap. Officials swarm as The Notch yells out “GET HIM OUT OF HERE!” as Way claps his hands together for a job well done before exiting the scene with a smirk.

We cut back to Mike Vincent and Cole Haywood.

Mike Vincent: “Because of this, AXW owner The Notch has booked for AXW 77, Togo Oni versus THE Billy Way!”

Cole Haywood: “Yeah, and if it’s anything like we just saw, Oni is going to wish he was back in Japan tanking some other promotion!”
-------

Backstage, we see Bruiser Lazzou kicking back in the office formerly maintained by AXW Owner, The Notch. As Lazzou slings his cap on a coat rack, he turns and comes face to face with Angelique Francois, who glares at Lazzou, who doesn’t flinch.

Bruiser Lazzou: “Yeah? Can I help you?”

Angelique Francois: “If you are to be the one to run things around here, I suggest you begin by awarding me the AXW Women’s Championship.”

The crowd boos as Francois scowls in their direction, Lazzou actually laughing.

Bruiser Lazzou: “That, my dear, was a good one. You almost had me there.”

Angelique Francois: “There is nothing funny about this. This is no joke. I am no joke! Either give me the champion, or give me the title.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “How about no, to, well, both of those? Yeah, I like the sound of that.”

The crowd cheers as Francois is fuming. Lazzou holds up a big paw of his.

Bruiser Lazzou: “Now as much as I’m sure Ambiance would get on a flight, come here, and, well, as she would eloquently put it, put a cunt in her place. Can I say that? Yeah, I just did. As much as she would, she is no longer AXW Women’s Champion, and vacated the title some time ago. However, I am not handing that championship to you or anyone else, is that understood?”

Angelique Francois: “You are making a grave mistake.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Yeah, because I haven’t heard that before in my career. Look, it sounds to me like you’re in need of some more competition, and lucky for you, The Notch, well he has made some signings to the women’s division, and tonight, well, get ready, because you’re facing one of those new signees in the ring. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have dinner to order myself.”

Lazzou shoos Francois away, as the crowd comes alive for that announcement.

Mike Vincent: “Turns out our owner has indeed been busy, signing new members to our women’s division. We’ll get to see one of them tangle with Angelique Francois in just a bit!

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Give credit where it’s due, AXW Faithful, for the man known as Evan Starr showed no fear in this match with Xander Blaze, making his way to the ring with the definitive backing of the AXW crowd. Starr would await his opponent, as “The Alpha Predator” would saunter to the ring, entering as referee Stephen Deens called for the bell.

Early on, Starr would stick and move, evading the 325lb monster, Blaze, even staggering him with a crescent kick and some chops, before actually taking him down with a drop toe hold to a buckle! The big man would stagger out and a running bulldog would take him down again! The crowd was loving the effort of Starr in this David vs. Goliath affair, as a beautiful shooting star legdrop nearly put Xander Blaze away!

Starr would connect with a missile dropkick, showing his quickness, but barely gain a two count before Blaze would power out. Starr would once again head up top, looking for the Starrlight Drop (top rope double knees) but was actually caught in midair by a pissed off Xander Blaze, who would deliver a buckle bomb to Evan Starr, before spinning him with a STIFF lariat out of the corner, the crowd gasping as Starr hits the mat in a heap.

From there Blaze would aggressively assault his smaller opponent, a swinging full nelson slam, spinebuster, and a big boot, further buckled Starr under the attack, but “The Alpha Predator” wasn’t through, gorilla press slamming his opponent, before finally, and mercifully ending the match with a left handed knock out punch he calls Nighty Nite.

Salvatore Pellegrino: “Here is your winner, “THE ALPHA PREDATOR” XANDER BLAZE!

Mike Vincent: “And just like that, this one is over. Give Evan Starr credit-“

Cole Haywood: “He makes a great punching bag, ha ha ha!”

Stephen Deens thought twice but to raise the arm of this dangerous man, but Blaze didn’t care, stomping away at Starr as the crowd booed. Blaze kept raining down clubbing blows to Starr, who was motionless.

Mike Vincent: “This is ridiculous! You made your point, Xander!”

Cole Haywood: “Starr’s mangled body is the fault of our management, not booking this man, hell, not just handing him the AXW Championship.”

Mike Vincent: “That’s not how things work around here, Cole, and-“

The lights dim as “Gasoline” by Porcelain and the Tramps echoes throughout the arena.

Cole Haywood: “Ok, now who is stupid enough to-“

After the vocals of “I’m highly flammable” are heard, the lights return to show..

Mike Vincent: “F.M. YOUNG! IT’S HER! SHE’S HERE IN AXW!”

The crowd roars for the One Woman Army as she struts down the ramp, popping her neck as Xander stands up from his attack on Starr. Young has entered the ring, thumping her chest with her fists, looking unfazed by the fact Blaze towers over her.

Cole Haywood: “Really now? She’s nuts!”

Mike Vincent: “She’s a warrior, Cole!”

Blaze is actually laughing, and then pie faces Young back, to a chorus of boos. Young, with a smirk, fires back with stiff kicks to the shin of Blaze, and an enziguri that staggers him. Young hits the ropes, as Blaze charges forward, the crowd buzzes, and F.M. connects with a spear!

Cole Haywood: “WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!”

Mike Vincent:”What happened? Young just took Blaze clean out of his boots, that’s what happened!”

Blaze rolls to the outside, clutching his ribs as Young goes to check on Evan Starr, motioning for Blaze to get back in the ring, but he waves her off as “Gasoline” begins again, the crowd still stunned and thrilled to see Young back in an AXW ring.
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We cut backstage, where Floyd The Butcher is given less than a hero’s welcome by the AXW Faithful, not that he cares, and looks to be heading to the office of General Manager Lazzou, when he is stopped by new backstage interviewer (and snazzy dresser) Aldred Kinswood.

Aldred Kinswood: “Floyd, Floyd, mate, what are you looking to discuss with our general manager?”

Floyd The Butcher: “Nice to see AXW still has the idea of hiring at least a semi-competent employee. Lookin’ sharp there, Al. I’m about to march in there, demand me one of those AXW Xperience Title shots, you know, because last I checked, a champion has to have all functioning digits, if you know what I mean, so-“

And with that, Aldred is nearly knocked over by a charging AXW Xperience Champion, Everett Andrews-Knight!, Knight pummels Floyd to the floor, punching and kicking at him. Floyd rises, tackling Knight into the wall, the two scraping it up on the floor, before officials and Bruiser Lazzou emerge, Lazzou in his gravely gruff voice yelling “GET THEM OUT OF HERE!” as the two are separated and Lazzou grins, nodding, “I’ll fix this” as we return ringside.

[/b]

Francois entered the ring to a chorus of boos, paying no mind to the fans, pacing the ring, and motioning to the ramp, saying “It doesn’t matter who it is!” when suddenly “The Devil Takes Care Of Its Own” by Band Of Skulls hits and the arena erupts for the arrival of KENDRA RAYNE!”

Cole Haywood: “Oh boy! Well, Francois wanted competition, and she’s going to get it!”

Mike Vincent: “Listen to this place, Cole! The New Orleans AXW Faithful are coming unglued!”

Rayne enters the ring and seems unimpressed by Francois, despite her being slightly taller and definitely a powerful sight. Referee Jesse Haynes calls for the bell and we are underway!


[/b]

This one started fast and frantic, with Angelique jumping in early with punches and kicks to Rayne, hitting her with elbow and knee strikes in the corner, and then monkey flipping her out of the corner, but Rayne would land on her feet, as Francois would turn out of the corner and get blasted with a running double forearm crosscheck taking her down! Rayne would rain down mounted forearm shivers as the crowd chanted her name. Rayne would bring Francois up and drop her with a falcon arrow, going for the pin and getting a two count.

A spinning back fist would clock a rising Francois, staggering her, but when another running double forearm crosscheck was attempted, Rayne was countered with a discus clothesline that nearly took her head off! Francois, stunned, was fuming, stomping away at Rayne before lifting her up in a stalling suplex and then yanking on Rayne’s arm, BITING HER!

Mike Vincent: “Good lord! We’ve seen this before!”

Cole Haywood: “I think it’s hot. I wonder if she’s single.”

Mike Vincent: “She would eat your soul, Cole.”

Cole Haywood: “Damn it, you’re probably right.”

The war would rage on, the women exchanging chops and forearm shivers, with Rayne getting the upper hand, scooping up Francois in a shower of strength, and hitting a running powerslam, gaining another two count. Rayne would put the pressure on, hitting a jaw breaker, followed by a heart punch, and a double rope run Yakuza kick, but Francois could kick out again.

Mike Vincent: “Angelique showing resilience here tonight!”

Cole Haywood: “She’s showing she can hang with anybody in that ring!”

Another running powerslam would be attempted, but Francois would slip out, connecting with a big boot to Rayne, followed up by a jacknife powerbomb, but as she finished the move we would once again see the mysterious redhead from AXW 75 sauntering her way down the ramp to ringside to catcalls and whistles from the males in the audience!

Mike Vincent: “Well look who it is!”

Cole Haywood: “I wonder if she’ll give me a lap dance this time!”

Francois sees her and stops, telling her to “GET OUT!” pointing to the back, but the ginger seductress pays no mind, heading over to the announce table as we see Cole Haywood looking especially happy. Of course, she wags a finger at Cole, who frowns, as she steps on top of the table, letting her robe fall to the ground revealing a black lacy thong and matching corset!

Mike Vincent: “Oh my!”

Cole Haywood: “This is the best job ever!”

The crowd roars as Francois screams at Jesse Haynes to “Get that ginger bitch out of here!” but Jesse just shrugs, as Francois pushes her aside and exits the ring, the redhead grabbing her robe and exiting over the barricade, as every man in attendance tries for a butt grab, but she manages to put her robe back on.

Cole Haywood: “Aww, come back!”

Mike Vincent: “I don’t get this woman’s deal, but Francois, just like Reina Borne and November Reigns, doesn’t seem too happy to see her being a distraction during her match and, wait a minute!”

Francois shook her head, and entered the ring, only to be Alabama Slammed by Kendra Rayne! The crowd on their feet, as Rayne hits THIS IS WRESTLING, driving Francois to the mat for the 1,2,3 and the victory!

Salvatore Pellegrino: “Here is your winner, KENDRA RAYNE!!!”

Mike Vincent: “I guess, in a way, give an assist to the sultry redhead of mystery, as Kendra Rayne gets a debut victory here in AXW!”

Cole Haywood: “I wish she would give me an assist.”

Mike Vincent: “Stop that! Well one thing is certain, whoever she is, this is now the third person who has felt the sting of her, well, sensual distractions.”
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We cut backstage, where Bruiser Lazzou is on the phone.

Bruiser Lazzou: “Listen, boss, I get it, but don’t you worry, I will look after him. Yeah, I know, but trust me on this, he’s money if used right. We’re doing a bang up job bringing in talent. Alright. Yeah, we can touch base later.”

Lazzou puts his phone down as we see “Stunning” Ryan Graham has entered the room.

“Stunning” Ryan Graham: “Mr. General Manager, allow me to introduce myself-“

Bruiser Lazzou: “Yeah, yeah, I know who you are, kid. What can I do for you?”

“Stunning” Ryan Graham: “Well, even though you weren’t present for it, I’m sure you saw what went down on AXW 75. I was not pinned or submitted in that match. I was tossed to the outside after our champion, one I now know you allowed to remain after all this time AXW was closed-“

Bruiser Lazzou: “Get on with it, kid!”

“Stunning” Ryan Graham: “The outcome of that match should still make me the top contender for the AXW Championship. I feel I deserve that opportunity, and I deserve it TONIGHT.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Ok, ok, now calm down there, kid. Yeah, you won a triple threat match to get that shot, after one of your opponents was taken out of the match by Xander Blaze, so by your logic, I could also say that Evan Starr deserves an opportunity, but right now, that kid is picking up the pieces of himself left by said monster. So here’s what we’re going to do. Tonight, you will go one on one with AXW Champion, Danny Hall-“

“Stunning” Ryan Graham: “YES!”

Bruiser Lazzou: “In a non-title match.”

“Stunning” Ryan Graham: “What?”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Way I see it, you got into that main event last show with a little bit of help from Xander Blaze. You were then bit in the ass by karma, so let’s see, tonight, with no help, no triple threat, if you can get the job done. Beat the champ, and then we can talk title shot.”

“Stunning” Ryan Graham: “Fine. It’s obvious to me that the old guard of AXW has a problem with the new kids on the scene, but that just means somebody like me has to prove everybody wrong.”

Bruiser Lazzou: “Good luck.”

Graham says nothing, just scoffs at Lazzou before storming out of his office.

Mike Vincent: “Our GM laying down the law there.”

Cole Haywood: “While I think this bright new star in the AXW sky deserves a title shot, I see Lazzou’s point, and more than that, get to see my two favorite AXW superstars go at it tonight!”

[/b]

This match was a powder keg from the get go as 2MG found themselves brawling with Queen Soldiers before even entering the ring! As officials swarmed to restore order, we would finally have our match as Jack Adams demanded to start with “Ol Nappy Head” as he called Damien Kingston. Fhenix obliged and those two men would start the contest for their teams. The larger, more smashmouth parts of their respective teams would do battle, Adams opening the contest with some STIFF stinging chops, and some boots on Damien in the corner. Adams would smack Damien around, yelling “GET UP, BOY!” even going to spit in his face, but before he could, get knocked down by a flying shoulder tackle from Damien! More chops and a DDT would follow, reeling Adams, who would then walk into a snap powerslam for a long two count. Fhenix would call to Adams for the tag, as another shoulder tackle would be countered into a turning spinebuster from Adams before tagging in Fhenix!

The methodical self-proclaimed wrestling maestro would open up by kicking and stomping away at the left leg of his opponent, lifting it up and slamming it to the mat. Damien would crawl for a tag, but Fhenix would shake his head, yanking him back to his corner and once again slamming the left leg down before tagging Adams back in. This methodical pace would continue for some time, 2MG showing that classic tandem offense they are known for.

However, it wouldn’t be long before all four men would find themselves brawling on the outside, as referee Mat Baker would end up counting the legal men, Jack Adams and Damien Kingston both out, as the crowd would boo!

Salvatore Pellegrino: “This match has ended in a DOUBLE COUNT OUT!”

The two teams would continue duking it out, when suddenly an all too familiar 80s sounding techno intro would begin, the crowd coming to their feet!

Mike Vincent: “Wait a minute! Is that who I think it is!”

Cole Haywood: “Oh no, not these morons again!”

Indeed, former two time AXW Tag Team Champions, The Push, would emerge on the ramp to a huge ovation from the AXW Faithful! As officials continued to try to pull 2MG and Queen’s Soldiers apart, The Push would survey the crowd and begin dancing along to their “Dance Pants” theme song! With one last shot of 2MG and Queen’s Soldiers finally being pulled apart, we cut back to The Push who give the crowd two thumbs up before exiting to the back.

Mike Vincent: “A shame of an ending, but The Push are back in AXW!”

Cole Haywood: “I could care less, but of course these idiot sheep in the crowd care more about stupid dance pants and not two quality tag teams giving it their all in that ring.”

Mike Vincent: “Wait a second, we have word of action backstage!”

We immediately cut to The Push, Jimmy Reynolds and Timmy McDermott being pummeled by Kings In Chaos, Brandon Laux and Benji Matthews, with the final shot being double powerbombs threw catering tables!

Mike Vincent: “The Push were ambushed by Kings In Chaos!”

Cole Haywood: “Wrong, Mike! They were punished by their kings! Everyone knows kings hate stupid jesters, so thankfully Brandon and Benji took those two clowns out of their misery! Man, seeing deli meats and veggie trays go flying is hilarious!”
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We cut quickly to Bruiser Lazzou at his desk.

Bruiser Lazzou: “I’ll keep this quick. We all saw what happened earlier tonight between Floyd The Butcher and our AXW Xperience Champion, Everett Andrews-Knight. Now I’m old school, and I know those two have a ton of passion, ton of aggression, and I don’t want to give away their next encounter on television. No, that’s something best kept for PPVs. Sorry folks.”

The crowd boos, as Bruiser just shakes his head.

Bruiser Lazzou: “But what I am going to do is allow them the opportunity to pick their poison for their respective opponent, on the next two AXW episodes. On AXW 77, the champion will get to choose Floyd’s opponent, and Floyd will get the same opportunity on AXW 78. The caveat, of course, is that when you, our AXW Xperience Champion have your pick your poison match on AXW 78, it will indeed be your first defense of that championship! Thank you, and enjoy the show!”

Mike Vincent: “That’s big news!”

Cole Haywood: “It definitely is, but so is this next match!



This match definitely had the high stakes feel to it you’d expect, as the champion and the self-proclaimed rightful top contender met in the center of the ring. Hall was full of himself, but had the smile wiped off his face by an onslaught of punches and kicks from his opponent! Elbow and knee strikes would back the champion into the corner, as stinging chops would rain down, beating his chest red before a turning spinebuster off the ropes would earn Graham a two count.

Graham would stand over Hall, going “So you’re the champion, huh? Champion of what?” slapping Hall on the back of the head. The crowd was split so down the middle for this one, as this would get a mixed reaction. Graham would slip the Dream Of Billions (Million Dollar Dream) on Hall, but would get backed up into the corner, breaking the move, before Hall would strike back with hard chops of his own, before snap suplexing his opponent out of the corner. A running knee drop would connect for a two count.

A big boot would find its mark, Hall going for another cover and getting a two count. Hall would look for a superkick, but but Graham would actually catch the leg of Hall, dropping him and catching him in a single leg boston crab. Hall would crawl towards the ropes, Graham yanking him back center. This would happen again, the same result. A third time would see Hall just catching the bottom rope as the crowd let out a gasp, thinking Hall was going to tap.

Mike Vincent: “A close call for the champion there.”

Cole Haywood: “Danny Hall has more grit and determination than these people give him credit for!”

Graham would clap his hands together, looking for The Dream Of Billions again, but Hall would flip Graham over him and then hit a swift kick to the spine, followed by a flipping neckbreaker the likes of which Mr. Perfect would be jealous of. Hall would then wait and hit Lovesick Harmony(Shining Wizard) on Graham for a long two count. Hall would argue with referee Stephen Deens, and then hit Graham with a falcon arrow for another long two count. Hall was once again in the face of Stephen Deens, before turning and getting floored with a running knee strike!

Mike Vincent: “Caught him! Right in the jaw!”

Cole Haywood: “I heard that crack!”

Graham crawls over to Hall, and the champion just gets the shoulder up! Graham, undeterred, looks to add insult to injury with a super kick, but Hall side steps and delivers a string of German suplexes, bridging the last one, but Graham just manages to kick out yet again! Hall is slamming the mat in frustration. He steadies himself and looks to connect with a big boot, when he’s caught in a capture suplex, Graham firing him back first into the corner buckle!

Hall is on dream street as Graham yanks him up from the corner, cinches in Dreams Of Billions, before lifting him up in a turning modified Rock Bottom, planting him into the mat! The crowd counts along as Graham gets the pinfall victory!

Salvatore Pellegrino: “Here is your winner…”STUNNING” RYAN GRAHAM!”

Mike Vincent: “Can you believe it? Ryan Graham has pinned the AXW Champion!”

Cole Haywood: “And if I’m Bruiser Lazzou, I’m seriously considering this man the #1 contender to that championship!”

Ryan Graham celebrates in the ring, telling Lazzou into the camera “Do the right thing!”

Mike Vincent: “Well that remains to be seen, but let’s send it back to our other correspondent, Stacy Murphy!
---------

We are now indeed backstage with new reporter Stacy Murphy.

Stacy Murphy: “Thanks guys, and right now, I have an interview with somebody pretty special.”

The camera pans to show none other than former AXW Women’s and Tag Team Champion, Zoey Matthews-Mitchell! The crowd goes crazy for her as she just smiles.

Stacy Murphy: “Zoey, tonight it’s pretty much all over social media, you have returned to AXW! What are your plans here in AXW?”

Zoey Matthews-Mitchell: “Well it’s no secret. I’d love to be AXW Women’s Champion again. But maybe that’s not it, maybe there’s something more. Maybe-“

Voice: “Maybe you won’t make me want to vomit!”

The camera pans again to show another former AXW Women’s Champion, Caitlin Shay! Shay, in a leather jacket, holding a Starbuck’s coffee, scowls at Zoey.

Caitlin Shay: “Oh I’m sorry, was I interrupting some kind of declaration of dominance? Some bullshit hero line that I’m sure you will fail to accomplish.”

Zoey Matthews-Mitchell: “Hi, Caitlin.”

Caitlin Shay: “Yeah, whatever. You know you’re not the only one who has come back here. I’m back to right a very serious wrong. You see this division, it has no leader, it has no star, it has no true direction. But I can handle that. I can handle anything as THE greatest AXW Women’s Champion of all time. In fact-“

Voice: “AHEM.”

We now see Kendra Rayne has walked into scene as the crowd goes crazy once more.

Kendra Rayne: “No offense. I know I’m not exactly a AXW fixture around these parts, but I do know a thing or two about being at the top of the mountain, which is what I plan on doing here in AXW.”

Voice: “Well now, if dat ain’t fookin’ enlightenin’.”

Sauntering in between them all is Alisia McGrath, one half of The Morrigan Hags tag team, and member of The Pantheon led by Ambiance!

Alisia McGrath: “I couldn’t help but notice dat the tree a yous, well, you’ve had your shots, your moments a’ glory, but not me. Every chance I’ve had was stolen from me! Dis..dis injustice been plaguin’ my career, it ends in AXW! I’ll see you three bitches around.”

McGrath smirks and saunters off.

Caitlin Shay: “Pfft. Whatever, you Lucky Charms suckin’ bitch.”

Shay takes her exit, as Rayne and Zoey have a staredown, before going their separate ways leaving the AXW Faithful AND Stacy Murphy speechless.

Mike Vincent: “Our boss has certainly done some great work bringing in talent, some familiar, and some looking to make their mark!”

Cole Haywood: “Those four are very talented..and Caitlin Shay is my hoe.”

Mike Vincent: “Your what?”
-----------
We cut to Bruiser Lazzou, who has Angelique Francois and Reina Borne screaming on either side of him. Lazzou clenches his fists, and then stands up, pushing his chair in.

Bruiser Lazzou: “THAT’S ENOUGH!”

The two women stop dead in their tracks, as Lazzou takes a breath.

Bruiser Lazzou: “Ladies, I get it. Nobody seems to know who this woman is or why she’s here, but I know both of you have legitimate gripes with her. Now I try to be fair here. Reina, you have had an issue with her a bit longer, so yes, on AXW 77 you will face her one on one.”

Angelique Francois: “This is ridiculous! I could get rid of her! Let me-“

Bruiser Lazzou: “Stop. It’s not going to happen. Not next episode anyways. Now look, despite what happened, I liked what I saw out there with you and Kendra Rayne, so next show you will be in the ring with one of our three new signees we just saw. Am I clear on this?”

Reina Borne: “Yes. Thank you.”

Francois just nods, and walks off, a psyched Reina Borne following behind her.
___________


Like the previous match, another one with a big match feel with a lot at stake. Duncan Aries, arguably the face of AXW, a polarizing figure who would always seem to find a way back, against the man he screwed out of the AXW Championship, a man who was known all over the wrestling world, DDV.

Speaking of, the usually calm and calculating DDV was unhinged from the opening bell, tackling Aries and raining down shots on him. Aries is whipped hard into the corner, as European uppercuts rock him in the corner, followed by a capture suplex out of the corner, as Aries is sprawled out on the mat, reeled. Aries sees DDV approaching and pushes referee Mat Baker in front of him! DDV stops himself, and moves aside Baker, but Aries drop toe holds him into the buckle and then release German suplexes DDV![/i]

Mike Vincent: “Aries, using referee Mat Baker as a shield!”

Cole Haywood: “And finds an opening! You can’t hate on somebody for using their surroundings to their benefit!”

Aries whips DDV across the ropes and connects with a snap powerslam, getting a count out pinfall Aries steadies himself on the ropes and turns for Enter Gideon (Beautiful Disaster Kick) to DDV, but no it’s ducked and DDV boots Aries in the gut and fires off a snap double underhook suplex, flooring The Wild Card! A stalling brainbuster follows for a two count.

Mike Vincent: “DDV is still in this!”

Cole Haywood: “He’s pesky, I’ll give him that, but it’s only a matter of time before Aries closes in.”

DDV backs a rising Aries into the corner with stinging chops, Aries howling in pain, before turning the tables, firing off chops, before DDV regains the advantage with chops, before snap suplexing Aries out of the corner. DDV is fired up as he snapmares Aries, kicking him hard in the spine, before hitting the ropes and connecting with a knee trembler to the seated Aries. DDV goes for a cover, and gets a long two count.

DDV hits Breathless on Aries, as he gasps for air from the fireman’s carry double knee gutbuster. As he gasps, coughing, DDV scales the top turnbuckle.

Mike Vincent: “DDV looking for The Stargazer!”

DDV leaps off, but Aries rolls out of the way.

Cole Haywood: “And eats nothing but canvas, ha ha ha!”

DDV actually bounces up, clutching his ribs, as Aries delivers a swift kick to them before scooping him up, swinging him, and planting him to the mat with The Culmination as the crowd comes unglued! Aries goes for the cover, but DDV just gets the right shoulder up! Aries, grumbling, running his fingers through his hair, backs up, and as DDV rises, smirks, shrugs, and then fires off Creative=Zilch (Claymore Kick) to DDV!

Cole Haywood: “The one true ICON of AXW is breaking out new tricks!”

Aries goes for the cover, and once again DDV just gets the shoulder up! The crowd starts a dueling “THIS IS AWESOME!” and “FIGHT FOREVER” chants, as Aries is stomping around the ring.

Mike Vincent: “An impressive new move in the Wild Card’s arsenal, but not enough to put away DDV!”

Cole Haywood: “You watch, that idiot is going to wish he stayed down!”

Aries, seething, motions for DDV to get to his feet. Aries flies in for another Claymore Kick, but DDV rolls to the side as Aries collides with the corner in a heap! DDV sees his opening and drags Aries from the corner, picking him up, and hitting the Strong Bomb (sheer drop powerbomb) going for the jacknife cover..

1…

2..

Cole Haywood: “No, no, no!”

3!”

The crowd erupts in cheers as DDV and Aries are both out spent in the ring.

Salvatore Pellegrino: “Here is your winner…DDV!!”

DDV has his arm raised as Aries rolls from the ring, hitting the floor, as it sets in, reality, he is mortified, tilting his head back and letting out a yell of anger and frustration!

Mike Vincent: “What a night this was, AXW Faithful. New talent has arrived, our champion was upset in non-title action, and speaking of non-title..

Cole Haywood: “DON’T YOU DARE, MIKE! This is no laughing matter! A man who put this company on his back, made it a household name, is now being blackballed from title shots for a whole year! A whole year!”

Mike Vincent: “Well, you stated the obvious, and yeah, couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”

Cole Haywood: “Ugh.”

Mike Vincent: “Well for Cole Haywood, I’m Mike Vincent, and we’ll see you all in two weeks in Dallas for AXW 77! Goodnight!”

DDV celebrates with the crowd as Aries continues his sulk up the ramp, the AXW logo emerging as we slowly fade out.