#83: April 22, 2022

Melody Slayton Vs. Aislin Finn

• The show kicked off with the brand new Spartan Champion, Melody Slayton. The Scrappy Songbird had a ton of energy as she ran through the curtain and showed the championship belt off to the crowd in the Warehouse. Finn came out to a good reaction as the two were ready to compete.
• Finn opened up with stiff kicks to Slayton who backed into the corner and had a break to reset things.
• Finn and Slayton locked up and Slayton hit a series of uppercuts and sent Finn into the ropes and delivered a hip toss.
• Slayton looked for a Russian leg sweep but Finn battled out with elbows to the head and then followed it with Warp Spasm (Over Shoulder Back Kick).
• Slayton started to stand but was rocked with Crann Tabhaill (Springboard Corkscrew Roundhouse Kick). Finn went for a cover for just two.
• Slayton started to battle back and hit Finn with This Magic Moment (V Trigger) when Finn ran the ropes.
• Slayton pulled Finn to the top turnbuckle and was setting up for Splash Mountain (Pepsi Plunge) but Finn countered with a backdrop.
• Slayton and Finn got to their feet and exchanged slaps. Finn looked for a suplex but Slayton blocked and countered into a DDT.
• Finn got to her feet and Slayton looked for Sonic Rainboom (Poisonrana) but Finn countered into a powerbomb and bridged into a pin. Slayton just kicked out before two.
• Finn quickly rolled Slayton into a small package but the two kept rolling around the ring and both shoulders were down at two. Finn rolled the pile again and then they unhooked and got up. Finn slipped behind Slayton into a victory roll and just got three before Slayton just missed kicking out before three.

WINNER: Aislin Finn via pinfall @ 11:31

Slayton looked around and Finn had her hand raised. The two met in the middle of the ring again and shared a few words. Slayton was handed the Spartan Championship and Finn pointed over to it.

Austin Scott Gio DeLuca Vs. Gabrielle Montgomery

• It was time for the debut of Montgomery and she had a good sized pop. She posed for the crowd as she was set to await Austin Scott. To the dismay of the crowd, Gio DeLuca started walking out and cut a promo. He ranted about being tired of new faces thinking they can come into Empire Wrestling and just make a name for themselves.
• As soon as he rolled into the ring, Montgomery just shrugged and looked around. DeLuca looked for a cheap shot but Montgomery blocked it.
• Montgomery connected with a quick strike and then an elbow to the face of DeLuca.
• DeLuca was stunned and took a kick to the gut before Montgomery hit a lifted knee to the face.
• This opened DeLuca up for Montgomery to deliver GaBuster (Reverse Lungblower).
• Montgomery went to the top rope and started to set up for a moonsault but DeLuca was able to push her leg off the ropes and hung her up.
• DeLuca climbed the ropes behind her and looked for a backdrop off the ropes but Montgomery blocked it and pushed DeLuca off.
• Montgomery took DeLuca down with Head Over Heels (Diving Hurricanrana). Montgomery popped up and DeLuca got to his feet and she delivered the Double D-DT (Future Shock DDT) and covered for the pinfall.

WINNER: Gabrielle Montgomery via pinfall @ 9:46

New Generation

Kevin Olson was standing by backstage with Lacy Nelson, who received a pop from the crowd when she appeared.

Kevin Olson: I’m here with Lacy Nelson. Lacy, what’s this special announcement?

Lacy Nelson: Hi, Kevin! I know that Next Level didn’t go great for me but I didn’t want to dwell on it. I’m trying to look forward to what’s next for me here in Empire Wrestling. Maybe push for a one on one shot at Melody Slayton and her Spartan Championship, since I have a victory over her. Maybe I will try to knock off Cross and become Primetime Championship. Maybe Tia Santos and I will light it up and I try to become a three time World Champion.

Lacy pauses as the fans buzz as she just smiles into the camera and looks back at Kevin.

Lacy Nelson: But before any of that I get to do something that is more personal to me, Kevin. My little sister has recently signed a deal to train here at the Warehouse and will be making her debut in the coming weeks. I’m not going to spoil much but I’ve seen her working in the ring and if she keeps it up, she’ll be making waves before we know it. She’s picking it up quickly and is really pushing herself.

Kevin Olson: That’s exciting, Lacy. We’ll keep an eye out for her in the future.

Lacy Nelson: Now, if you excuse me, I have some scouting to do.

We were supposed to have Crimson Ghost versus Miguel Perez next but Perez and Torres tried to get a jump on Ghost and Josh Goldstein backstage. The two teams fought back and forth backstage as security tried to break them up and they were escorted out of the building.

Hanako Vs. Daniel Daemon

• Daemon loomed over Hanako as she had her hands full going into the next bout. Hanako tried to strike quickly as she moved around the ring.
• Hanako hit the ropes and kept trying to jump up and take Daemon down with a running clotheslines but he wouldn’t drop. She hit the ropes and looked for a dropkick and he swatted her away.
• Daemon started to toss Hanako around the ring with hip tosses and then hit a big back drop.
• Daemon had control of the match and looked to deliver Ritual Disembowelment II (Gorilla Press Gutbuster) but Hanako was able to counter into a DDT!
• Hanako went to the top rope and delivered a top rope dropkick. Hanako popped up and hit a running senton.
• Daemon got to his feet and caught Hanako as she looked for a running cross body. Daemon hit a big powerslam and stood over Hanako.
• Daemon pulled Hanako off the mat by the throat before he delivered a chokeslam.
• Daemon leaned down and deadlift Hanako up and delivered Twist of Cain with Twist of Cain II- (Vertical Suplex Piledriver) and covered for the pinfall.

WINNER: Daniel Daemon via pinfall @ 6:03

Kneel

The cameras go to ringside after a brief commercial as the crowd begins to settle down for the rest of the show. They’re taken by surprise, however, as Young Iggz’s “Wrong One” begins to play through the arena. It’s a new song to Empire Wrestling but they know the face that comes with it as Empire World Champion, Tia Santos comes walking out through the curtain and onto the stage. To everyone’s knowledge, this is the first time she’s ever come out to address something from the ring. Tia stands on the stage, looking out at the crowd with emptiness in her eyes. It’s hard to tell if she’s smirking or scowling because of the bandana around her mouth. She walks down the ramp, ascending the steps and entering the ring. She’s got a mixed reaction, mostly cheers, however, as she climbs the turnbuckle to pull her black flannel shirt open to display the Empire World Championship around her waist. When she steps back down to the mat, she makes her way over, silently asking for a microphone - no, demanding a microphone - as she holds her hands out and stares at the ring announcer. Once she has it, the champion moves to the center of the ring. She unclasps the title from around her waist and sets it in her lap as she sits cross legged on the mat. As she speaks in Spanish, Kim Roberts translates for everyone in the Warehouse.

Tia Santos: Bien ahora. Como prometí, aquí me siento como su nuevo Campeón Mundial Empire.
Well now. As promised, here I sit as your new Empire World Champion.

There’s a scattering of claps but Tia remains stoic, holding the mic with both hands folded around it like she’s in a state of deep contemplation.

Tia Santos: ¿Cuándo aprenderán finalmente las almas traficantes que cuando la Santa de los Asesinos da su palabra sobre algo, es seguro que sucederá? Hice la declaración, desde el momento en que puse un pie en Empire…
When will the peddling souls finally learn that when the Saint of Killers gives her word on something, that it is sure to come to pass? I made the statement, from the moment I set foot within Empire…

She takes one hand from the mic and jabs her index finger down against the mat, never taking her gaze off of the audience as she then lifts that arm and opens her hand out.

Tia Santos: ...que este sería MI Imperio. Bueno aquí estamos. He aquí vuestra nueva Emperatriz. Tu nueva Reina. Alégrate, porque ella puede ser una gobernante benévola. Sin embargo, ten cuidado... porque ella puede traer el Infierno en la Tierra sobre sus súbditos. Hay un cementerio lleno de almas que pensaron que podrían detener mi ascenso a la cima. Aquí me siento... y allí yacen ellos. Comida para los gusanos.
...that this would be MY Empire. Well...here we are. Behold your new Empress. Your new Queen. Rejoice, for she can be a benevolent ruler. Though, take heed...for she can bring Hell on Earth upon her subjects. There is a graveyard full of souls that thought they could stop my climb to the top. Here I sit...and there they lie. Food for the worms.

The claps start to diminish the more she speaks. She brings her arm in and wraps her hand around the microphone with her other hand again.

Tia Santos: Me he esforzado por estar donde estoy ahora en este Imperio. Me he arrastrado a través de ratas plagadas de enfermedades. He descompuesto máquinas andantes. He eliminado a los tontos arrogantes que intentaron elevarse por encima de su posición. Luché contra demonios rebeldes y envié uno de vuelta al infierno. Dime esto... Empire Wrestling... ¿Qué puede hacer alguien para detenerme, en este punto?
I have strived to be where I am now in this Empire. I have crawled through disease ridden rats. I've broken down walking machines. I have cut down arrogant fools who tried to rise above their station. I've battled rogue demons and sent one back to Hell herself. Tell me this...Empire Wrestling...what can anyone do to stop me, at this point?

She looks right into the hard cam now and shakes her head, slowly. More fans start to turn and boo the champion.

Tia Santos: Ninguna cosa. Absolutamente nada. Sé que muchos de ustedes pueden muy bien intentarlo. Por eso, voy a elogiar su sentido común. Sin embargo, sepa que es un esfuerzo inútil. Como la nueva Reina del Imperio, les dejo a todos con una sola opción. Algunos de ustedes pueden conocer bien estas palabras, así que presten atención. Los que no, vendrán a aprender. Tu única opción es…
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. I know many of you may very well try. For that, I will commend your gumption. However, know that is it a futile effort. As the new Queen of Empire, I leave you all with only one option. Some of you may know these words well, so take heed. Those who do not, will come to learn. Your only option is…

Tia leans forward from where she sits and suddenly switches to English, simply to add…

Tia Santos: Kneel…or…Perish…

“Wrong One” starts up again as she tosses the microphone aside and stands up, raising the championship over her head as the lights darken again. Rather than leave the ring on foot, however, the lights eventually go completely out and when they return, Tia is gone from the ring.

Casey Grey Vs. Harper Blake

• These two brawlers were ready to go as soon as the bell rang and opened with strikes and chops.
• Grey dropped Blake with an arm catch STO and started to stomp her aggression away on Blake.
• Grey had Blake in a corner and was landing strikes. She ran the ropes and came back but ran into a boot to the face. Blake lifted Grey and drove her to the mat with a sidewalk slam.
• Blake looked for her swinging fisherman neckbreaker but Grey was able to block it and battle out. She looked for the Breath Mint (Forearm Smash) but Blake ducked it and countered with a big German suplex.
• Grey started to get up but was rocked with Future Sight (V-Trigger)! Blake went to the top turnbuckle and wanted the DDS (Diving Double Stomp) but Grey had it scouted and rolled out of the way and out of the ring.
• Blake went out after Grey but was hit with Breath Mint! Grey then tossed Blake into the barricade. Grey rolled Blake into the ring and climbed in next.
• Blake started to get up and was hit with a big lariat! Blake staggered into the ropes and stumbled forward and Grey hit a discus elbow!
• Grey tried to pull Blake into the Bitch Muzzle (Crossface Submission). Blake struggled and was able to make it to the ropes for a break.
• Blake lifted Grey up and over the top ropes as she charged at her. Blake ran the ropes and came through with a tope suicida!
• Blake rolled Grey into the ring and went to the top before connecting with DDS! Blake covered and was shocked when she only got two. Grey kicked out with just a moment to spare.
• Blake pulled Grey up and lifted her for a Falcon Arrow and Grey countered into a small package for two.
• Both competitors were up and Grey delivered the Racklash (Rack Attack)! Grey covered and picked up the three count pin!

WINNER: Casey Grey via pinfall @ 13:44

Grey climbed to her feet and leaned through the ropes before asking for a microphone, speaking as she caught her breath.

Casey Grey: Bring. Me. Tia.

Grey shouted up the ramp as she wanted the champion. The crowd erupted as “Lights Out” by POD kicked up and AJ Adams walked out. Adams made his way down the ring and jumped onto the apron before climbing in. The two had a staredown as we went off-air.