#84: May 7, 2022

Harper Blake Vs. Aislin Finn

• The night started with Harper and Blake ready to compete. The two locked up and pushed off each other. Blake hit a quick chop before Finn came back with a spinning back kick to the gut. Blake delivered a forearm to the face before Finn hit a headbutt. The two went back and forth with blows.
• Blake started to get control and slammed Finn into the mat with a sidewalk slam. Blake was fired up and went to the second turnbuckle and met her opponent with a dropkick.
• Blake measured up Finn and looked for a penalty style kick to the head but Finn was able to dodge it and rolled Blake up for one.
• Both competitors got to their feet and Blake looked for a clothesline but Finn ducked and delivered Warp Spasm (Over Shoulder Back Kick).
• Finn pulled Blake up and tried to set her up for Bogha (Rope Assisted Killswitch) but Blake was able to struggle free. Finn whipped Blake into the ropes and Blake came back with CMS (Quasedora Flipping Facebuster).
• Finn started to get up and Blake blasted her with Future Sight (V-Trigger). Blake hooked both legs in a cover and picked up a two count.
• Blake started to pull Finn up and started to lift her for the Falcon Arrow but Finn countered into a small package. The referee jumped into position and Finn had a two count before Blake kicked out.
• Blake grabbed Finn and started to set up for a double chickening facebuster and Finn rolled forward as she was lifted up into a cover and got a three count!

WINNER: Aislin Finn via pinfall @ 12:35

Alert the Press

The scene is a large room with two sofa chairs facing each other as Kevin Olsen walks into frame and sits. A moment later he is joined with EW’s own Lacy Nelson. The two share a handshake and she sits down and adjusts the small microphone clipped to her shirt.

Kevin Olsen: Thank you for joining me today, Lacy.

Lacy Nelson: Absolutely! Thank you for flying out to meet me in LA for this.

Kevin Olsen: It seems like 2022 Lacy Nelson is much different than the Lacy we are used to. I think we’re all hoping to just get some insight as to what is next for you.

Lacy smiles and nods at Kevin with a smile.

Lacy Nelson: I think that’s a true statement, Kev. I think ever since the Manic stuff happened I really haven’t been the person that a lot of people think of when they think of Lacy Nelson. I came unglued and I’ve been trying to pick up all the pieces since that fiasco. Everyone has a different level of what they show the world and I’ve always been sort of close to the vest with things. It was no secret that I was dating FM Young during all of that and we hit a rough patch. She had to take a step away and we helped each other once I came home from the hypnosis that was Manic.

She has to take a moment to collect herself after a deep breath and continues.

Lacy Nelson: We’ve since separated and now I’m just finding myself again, on my own. I’m re-learning who Lacy Nelson is. I may not know everything but I know this. Newsflash, Kev, I’m the headline. I may not be holding the EW World Championship but I will again one day. Or maybe I’ll take the Primetime Championship from Cross. I don’t need a title to be the biggest draw in this company. It just looks and feels so right.

Kevin Olsen: Are you challenging either one of them?

Lacy Nelson: I’m going to EARN the right to compete for a championship. I’m here in LA to take a little time to relax, train with my sister who is working on making her break, and to learn a thing or two about myself. Whatever comes next for me in Empire Wrestling? I’ll be ready. Now, if you excuse me, I have a date.

Kevin goes to ask another question but Lacy stands up and leaves the interview.

EXTREME DIVISION MATCH
Austin Scott Vs. Manic

• Manic attacked Scott on his way to the ring with a hard chair shot to the back. She climbed on top of him and started to claw at his face and eyes. Scott fought his way back to his feet and was checked on by trainers and insisted he compete.
• Manic laughed in the middle of the ring as Scott climbed inside. Scott rubbed his eyes as the bell rang.
• Manic charged Scott and tackled him into the corner. Scott clubbed the back of Manic and then took her down with a big boot.
• Scott pulled Manic up and delivered a German suplex. He rolled up and lifted her for a second but Manic hit him with a hard elbow to the face. Manic hit the ropes and took Scott down with a slingblade.
• Scott got to his feet and lifted a charging Manic up and down with a big spinebuster!
• Scott rolled out of the ring and started to toss in four steel chairs before climbing back in. He piled them up and lifted Manic onto his shoulder. He prepared for Ace in the Hole (Rikishi Driver) but Manic slipped into a sleeper hold!
• Scott dropped to a knee and Manic let go before delivering a blockbuster onto the chairs! Scott started to get up and was clocked with a spinning backfist.
• Manic went to the top rope and looked for Crashing Down (Double Stomp) and Scott got to his feet and pushed her foot off the rope.
• Scott started to climb to the top and tried to set up for a superplex but Manic raked the eyes of Scott and delivered a flurry of headbutts to knock him off.
• Manic delivered Crashing Down and started to scream and pull her hair, hitting herself. Scott got to his feet and was hit with the Splitting Headache (Bicycle Knee Strike). Manic covered and picked up the pinfall.

WINNER: Manic via pinfall @ 14:09

After the match, Manic continued to assault Scott and clawed at his eyes before backing away. The lights went out and she was gone when they came back up.


SPARTAN CHAMPIONSHIP
Kayla Taylor Vs. Melody Slayton (c)

• The fans were clearly behind Slayton as she made her way to the ring and had them fired up. Taylor paced around the ring as the match was announced. They met in the middle of the ring and Slayton offered a handshake for the seven-year veteran and Taylor clocked her with a hard forearm as the fans booed.
• Slayton was taken down with a single leg dropkick as she came off the ropes. Taylor quickly pulled Slayton up and in before taking her down with a hip toss.
• Slayton was up and in the corner as Taylor charged with a corner clothesline. She looked to follow it up with a running bulldog but Slayton countered with a belly to back suplex that sent Taylor’s head into the second turnbuckle.
• The referee checked on Taylor but she said she was good to go after having her bell rung and got to her feet.
• Taylor caught a charging Slayon with a thrust kick right under the jaw.
• Taylor measured up and delivered the Plan A (Shining Wizard)! She went for a cover and Slayton kicked out.
• Taylor started to set up for Atonement (Spin Sit-out Powerbomb) but Slayton countered and hit Sonic Rainboom (Poisonrana) as the fans started to come alive once again.
• Slayton started to fire up hit an evenflow DDT on Taylor.
• Taylor rolled out of the ring to try and regroup and Slayton when through the ropes with a tope suicida!
• Slayton pulled Taylor up to her feet and rolled her into the ring and jumped onto the apron. Taylor started to stand and this let Slayton deliver her Flight Risk (Slingshot DDT).
• Slayton got the crowd into the match once again as she sat on the top turnbuckle and was ready for her Glitter Bomb (Panama Sunrise). Taylor countered into a backdrop and turned quickly. Taylor hit the Stamp It Out (Superkick to opponent on knees[Avada Kedavra-WWE 2k15) and then quickly pulled Slayton up.
• Taylor looked for Broadway Lights (Cross Rhodes) but Slayton was able to lift herself up and drove a knee into the face of Taylor. The two broke and Slayton delivered a brainbuster onto her knee.
• Slayton got into position and delivered the Glitter Bomb and covered for a pinfall victory.

WINNER AND STILL EW SPARTAN CHAMPION: Melody Slayton via pinfall @ 20:08

Slayton celebrated with the title after the match before we cut away.

Long Live the Emperor

Back from the commercial break, Daniel Daemon is in the ring wearing a very nice bespoke suit, with a steady stream of ‘THANK YOU DANIEL’ chants being lobbed at the veteran wrestler. Daniel has a microphone at the ready and seems content to wait for the audience to calm down a bit.

DANIEL DAEMON: I’m sure many people have noticed that I am….different since I have returned from retirement. I swore I was done with this because I had a family now. A wife, a daughter, a home. I was content and happy to sit on the sidelines and just watch as the seeds I planted in this industry grew into a tree, bearing fruit to feed all of you and every wrestler in the company. Daniel Daemon went away and Daniel Fitzsimmons took over and then…

Daniel pauses and looks out at the crowd.

DANIEL DAEMON: …and then I had no family. And then Daniel Fitzsimmons died and Daniel Daemon has just been….observing. He heard all of you start referring to him as the ‘Former’ Emperor every time you bring up his name so let me make the following clear… Title or no, I am THE Emperor of Empire Wrestling.

Daniel almost always speaks simply and with a balanced cadence but the more he speaks right now we start to hear him become….unhinged.

DANIEL DAEMON: I built the foundation of the modern era of Empire Wrestling and you all have the NERVE to call me the ‘former’ Emperor. Well it looks like it’s time for a new era and it’s time you all know I have ZERO further interest in building this company or any of you up. I am here to break and rend and tear. We had a false start but a new era has begun tonight. The era of the Untethered Emperor and I…

Daniel stops mid-sentence, drops his microphone, and grabs the cameraman in the ring by the throat and effortlessly lifts him before slamming him down with a chokeslam. The respectful tone of the audience begins to shift to boos. Daniel looks down at his handiwork. Even at his worst as ‘The Emperor’ Daniel was always stoic and seemed to take no joy in his work. Now he places a boot on the throat of the fallen camera operator and looks down and laughs. Security begins to come out but Daniel removes his jacket and tie and none of them seem willing to step into the ring with him, despite Daniel motioning for them all to come in. We have never seen him like this. Something inside of Daniel has clearly snapped.

DANIEL DAEMON: If ANYONE in the back has the guts to put a stop to this I am RIGHT HERE.

Daniel is still choking the man on the ground with his foot when suddenly ‘Gods Gonna Cut You Down’ by Johnny Cash begins playing and the crowd who remembers what this means is on their feet for the arrival of Reverend Martin West in Empire Wrestling. Daniel eagerly motions for him to come into the ring and fight him but Martin casually strolls as he always does. He removes his jacket and hangs it on the ring ropes and rolls up his sleeves, still wearing his clerical collar. The Reverend stands toe to toe with Daniel, looking up at the seven foot tall unhinged Demon Emperor, the crowd excited for the fight between Daniel and his former pupil who saw the light and then…

Martin kneels.

The crowd is initially confused before ERUPTING in boos. Daniel smiles and places a hand on the shoulder of Martin and motioning for him to stand. He reaches into his pocket and takes out a set of brass knuckles and places them in the hands of the Reverend infamous for his knockout punch. Daniel then hoists the cameraman up to his feet as Martin puts on the knuckles and then absolutely destroys the unfortunate cameraman with the ‘Come-to-Jesus moment’ Haymaker punch. Daniel's theme ‘Twist of Cain’ by Danzig begins to play as Daniel holds up the brass-knuckled hand of his Disciple.

AJ Adams Vs. Alicia Monroe

• It was time for the main event as the fans popped for the arrival of AJ Adams. He made his way to the ring first before Monroe came out next with Casey Grey behind her. Grey stayed on the stage as Monroe made it to the ring for the match.
• The two circled the ring and the bell rang. They were no strangers to each other and Adams turned to Grey up on the stage and Monroe quickly grabbed him from behind and tried to roll him up but just got one.
• Monroe charged into a hard lariat and got right back to her feet. Adams grabbed Monroe and sent her into the corner. He looked for a big splash but Monroe was able to just get out of the way.
• Adams was staggered as his face bounced off the top pad and Monroe hit the ropes and took him down with a jumping lariat.
• Grey clapped on the stage for her sister as she watched on.
• Monroe grabbed Adams and delivered the Freebird (Running Bulldog) and walked around the ring with her arms out, showing off as the fans gave her a cheer.
• She turned back to Adams and he slipped behind her and delivered LA to NY (Sitout inverted DDT). We got a shot of Tia Santos sitting in the dark, watching a tv with the match playing.
• Adams started to make his way to the top rope and looked for a leg drop but missed as Monroe got out of the way.
• Adams grabbed at his lower back and tailbone area and Monroe hit him with a shining wizard! She quickly went to the top rope and she hit the Phoenix Dive (Swanton Bomb)! She covered and got two before Adams kicked out.
• Monroe was stunned that he kicked out and she talked to the referee for a moment and started to go to the top again. This time getting ready for White Lightning (Moonsault) but Adams was able to dive into the ropes and she slipped and just stuck on the top. Adams went up to the second turnbuckle and he delivered a belly to back suplex off the top!
• Both competitors were slow to their feet but Adams was a little ahead and hit Eat It (Fame-Asser)! He was fired up as he pounded his chest and looked up to Grey.
• Adams grabbed Monroe and got her in position and delivered Legacy Maker (Sister Abigail)! He rolled into a cover and picked up the victory.

WINNER: AJ Adams

Adams jumped to his feet and invited Grey in and she just watched on. He went to the other side of the ring and leaned through the ropes before being handed a microphone.

AJ Adams: EMPIRE WRESTLING!

The fans cheer as Casey continues to watch on.

AJ Adams: Message sent. I’m not here to be an emperor, I’m not here to be king, the Saint of Killers… I’m here to be the EW World Champion. Casey?

AJ takes a moment to catch his breath.

AJ Adams: I know you have a rematch clause for your championship and I want it. I’m willing to go through hell to take on Santos and become the next World Champion.

The fans cheer as Grey watches on before leaving as Adams’ music hit and he celebrated around the ring.