#71: April 17, 2021

Logan Burgess Vs. Noelle Jansen Vs. Danny Rose

• The opening match saw the debut of Noelle Jansen and Danny Rose.
• Jansen tried to use her quickness as she was clearly outsized in the match. She hit a wonderful tornado DDT on Burgess as she also kicked Rose in the jaw. She looked for a springboard crossbody at one point but caught her midair with a big spear.
• Burgess thought he had the match won as he hit her with a sit-out powerbomb but Rose was able to break things up.
• Rose broke that pin attempt with a running moonsault onto both competitors.
• The fans popped when Rose hit his first ever “I Like My Wrestling Moves Like I Like My Coffee, Dark And Nutty” (spin kick to the stomach, Code Red sunset flip bomb, roll opponent out to kneeling and roll back, running knee strike, bridging northern lights suplex combo) in the Warehouse. His speed mixed with his pure wrestling ability had the fans excited.
• Jansen broke up that bridged suplex and then hit Rose with a forward roll into a jumping cutter combo. This allowed her to connect with Vuelo de los furiosos (Springboard elbow drop) on Rose and then turn her attention to Burgess.
• Burgess started to try and fight back and looked for a throw up Samoan Drop but Jansen countered with a DDT. She started to then go to the top rope but was pushed off by Rose as she then went to the outside.
• Rose then hit Burgess with A Good Blaster By Your Side Is No Match For A Hokey Religion (Spinning Back Head Kick/Black Mass) and then covered for a pinfall win.

WINNER: Danny Rose via pinfall @ 14:39

The Blindside

The four members of Hell's Belles walk through the back of the warehouse, with the only one dressed to wrestle is Alicia Monroe. Kevin Olson is running behind them, trying to catch up.

Kevin Olson:: Ladies! Casey, wait! Hold on!

The girls halt and turn around, looking slightly…annoyed.

Casey Grey: Yes, Kevin?

Kevin Olson:: Casey, I need to ask you something about last week. What exactly were you—

Casey Grey: Whoa, Kevin. I’m not on the card for some reason tonight, as the people in the back that decide our fate have chosen in some monumental accident, and I’m not the only one with a pending title shot. So, curb your enthusiasm and try to play fair, huh?

Kevin Olson:: Right. Um, Alicia. Yeah. You have a shot at Tia Santos’s title tonight. Any thoughts on your strategy or how you plan to defeat her since she’s had the title since…well, since forever, it seems.

Alicia Monroe: Thanks Kevin. Well, to say that I’m not nervous about the match would be lying. But at the end of the day, it’s just another match and I’m going to get out there and do my best to win, you know? The stakes are a bit high with that title, and she’s a great wrestler, no doubt. Can’t understand a word she says without breaking out the Google Translator but that’s my own fault, right? And we aren’t going to be having a conversation when the bell rings so I luck out there.

Kevin Olson:: Great attitude, Alicia. I wish we could say the same about…where’s Casey?

The other Belles have made their escape while Kevin was talking to Alicia.

Kevin Olson:: She was just here.

Alicia Monroe: Very observant, Kevin.

Alicia shakes her head and walks away.

National Division Match
James Edwards Vs. Meg Coleman

• In a match of the night candidate it was Edwards taking on Coleman. Coleman came out fired up and more series than we’d seen her in Empire Wrestling.
• Their styles matched up well and they took things slow as they tried to feel each other out but landed hard strikes while doing so.
• A big open palm strike to Coleman from Edwards opened things up for him for a window of time. He used it to hit a series of suplexes and a big brainbuster in the middle of the ring.
• Edwards looked for a discus lariat at one point but Coleman ducked it and locked in a sleeper hold. She brought him down and locked in a camel clutch.
• Edwards didn’t give up and got to the ropes for his first rope break.
• Coleman let up and was quickly back on him with strikes that backed him into the corner. Coleman then rammed her shoulder into his gut multiple times.
• It wasn’t long before Edwards started to battle back after a missed running boot to the face from Coleman that left her open for a German suplex. Edwards hit a big Kill Up (Shining Wizard to a standing opponent) once Coleman got back up and had a very close nearfall.
• Edwards hit Coleman with a chop block when she stood and then locked in a side leglock that forced Coleman to get to the ropes for her own first rope break.
• The match was announced to have 5 minutes left as we hit the 15 minute mark in the National Division Rules match.
• Coleman was able to counter an ace cutter into a reverse DDT. She thought she had him pinned but he kicked out at two. Coleman pounded her first into her hand and was ready.
• As soon as Edwards stood, Coleman looked for the Superwoman Punch to put things away but he was able to dodge it. After a Triple Play combo (Two Spinning Back Fist followed by a Spinning Back Elbow) from Edwards he went for another cover but once again Coleman got a break as she was close enough to the ropes for her second break.
• Edwards went right into a figure four but Coleman rolled over multiple times to break with the ropes, her final one.
• Edwards quickly pulled Coleman to the center of the ring and started to lock in his Foxfire (Heel Hook) but the bell rang as we hit a time limit draw.
• The crowd chanted “fight forever” as the bell rang.

WINNER: TIME LIMIT DRAW @ 20:00

The Aftermath: Edwards looked over at the referee before continuing and broke in a bit of frustration. Sara Logan came out to announce that Coleman and Edwards would have a rematch at Relentless with no time limit where the winner would get a future National Championship match.

Noavrra Vs. AJ Jenkynx

• The crowd was unsure on how to react to seeing Jenkynx back in the Warehouse. He came out ready to fight as he quickly attacked Noavrra as she entered the ring.
• He tried to end things early with a roll up but Noavrra was able to pop up to her feet.
• Jenkynx charged but ran into a big spinebuster that echoed throughout the Warehouse. Noavrra hit the ropes and came back with a jumping splash.
• Noavrra clearly had a lot of fan support as she moved and clapped around the ring.
• Jenkynx tried to crawl to the corner and Noavrra hit him with a big corner cannonball.
• He was hurting as Noavrra pulled him up and sent him into the ropes but he came back with a big spear. He then pulled Noavrra up and hit her with a series of strikes and tried to keep himself off the mat by moving around quickly with blows.
• Noavrra was able to catch a kick and hit a capture suplex that had the fans cheering.
• After a catch uragage by Noavrra, she hit Jenkynx with Down With The Thiccness (Seated senton) and covered for the win.

WINNER: Noavrra @ 13:42

Heels

“Hell Yeah” begins to play over the warehouse sound system as Casey Grey steps out onto the stage to a mixed reaction from the audience in attendance. She is wearing a black mini dress and is obviously there to talk, not fight. She looks…taller. She walks slowly to the ring, not paying attention to the fans at all. She stops at the announcer’s table and demands a mic, and when it appears to be a delay of about a half a second, she slaps the table with her palm a couple of times. When she is given a microphone, she climbs up the steps into the ring. The music cuts when she stands in the center.

Casey Grey: You know what? I’m fed up to the back teeth with these shoes.

Casey reaches down and takes off her high heels, which is why she looked taller. She tosses the first across the ring, then the second, which slides under the bottom rope and to the floor, leaving her in the ring with only her stockinged feet.

Casey Grey: Alicia says I should start wearing them but, I don’t get the charm, really. Three hundred damn dollars for a pair of shoes that aren’t even comfortable.

There is some laughter from the crowd as Casey tousles her hair.

Casey Grey: Look. Listen. You know, I’ve had a lot of time to think about what happened last week and I want to say to Lacy Nelson that I don’t have any real hard feelings, I guess. I mean, yeah, you sort of insulted me for the benefit of the fans but that’s okay. Did you…enjoy your match with the three time Primetime Champion? That “old me” that you seemed content to call out? Because honestly, it felt pretty good jumping off of that stage and trying to paralyze you. The confusing part is the hate I get on Twitter from it. I mean, you asked for it. Begged me, practically.

A murmur builds up in the crowd.

Casey Grey: Was that your plan the whole time? To get me just a little upset so that I do something stupid and lose the match somehow? Because if so, that worked out perfect. But see, it taught me something too. Yeah, it’s been a rough year for me in this business. I’ve let a lot of garbage go to my head instead of focusing on what’s actually important here. And that’s why I don’t have any hard feelings. It felt great coming out here with nothing really on my mind except beating you up. And let’s be honest, I beat the living hell out of you. Enough to impress the powers that be to give us a “Falls Count Anywhere” match. You’re in trouble champ. When that bell rings at Relentless, it’ll be for your broken body, and my first reign as Empire’s World Champion.

A short pause as Casey looks around.

Casey Grey: You know what? I don’t even want those damn shoes.

Casey drops the microphone in the center of the ring and climbs through the ropes. She hops off of the apron and walks to the back, leaving her shoes behind.

NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Kamila Rose (c) Vs. David Slayton

• Kasey Kash came down for commentary and to watch the match.
• Rose had dug deep tonight and was in her Ember persona.
• Ember tried to use her quickness to keep Slayton off his game and not be able to use his power and technical prowess. Quick kicks to his legs allowed Ember to hit a running crossbody.
• Slayton quickly shut down the speed with a Death Valley Driver as Ember looked for a tornado DDT.
• Slayton then flipped her inside out with a lariat. She stood and he quickly delivered a hip toss into an armbar. Rose got to the ropes for her first rope break.
• She had to duck a lariat and hit the ropes and came back with a headscissors takedown that made Slayton roll out of the ring.
• He was near Kash who said something to him and Slayton reached across the table and snatched a water bottle and took a drink. Ember made her way out and bounced Slayton’s head off the announce table. Slayton was staggered and Ember hit him with a spear as they both fell over Kash.
• Ember rolled Slayton into the ring and went in after him but he looked for a small package but she was just able to kick out.
• They met on their feet and Slayton locked in a standing crossface chickenwing. Ember started to battle out but was driven to the mat with a German suplex.
• Slayton was up and rocked Ember with the Full Effect (Sweet Chin Music) as the crowd roared. He made a cover and Rose used her second rope break just before three.
• Slayton wanted another kick and was measuring her up. There was a loud CRACK heard in the Warehouse as Kash smacked a chair across the back of Slayton and then cracked it over the head of Rose.
• The referee called for the bell as Kash unloaded chair shots on both competitors.

WINNER: NO CONTEST @ 17:31; AND STILL EW NATIONAL CHAMPION Kamila Rose

The Aftermath: Once Kash rolled out of the ring we got Sara Logan on the jumbotron. She announced that at Relentless Kash, Slayton, and Rose would compete with the National Championship on the line and they’d be doing so outside of the standard National Division rules. Instead, they’ll face off inside a steel cage!

Internationally

The fans popped as AJ Adams came out for the next segment. He carried his BWF International Championship on his shoulder and looked around before making his way down to the ring. AJ snatched a microphone as he walked around the ring and rolled under the ropes. He stood as his music cut and he was ready to go right away.

AJ Adams: Back in August I lost in a match to Daniel Daemon where he took the Primetime Championship away from me. I did a little soul searching at that time and stepped away from chasing after my Primetime Championship. While still calling Empire Wrestling home, I went over to the relaunched BWF because it was needed. I am the greatest BWF World Champion, EVER. I currently hold this.

He holds up the title and keeps speaking.

AJ Adams: I carry this championship because I needed to prove something to myself. I’m at a point in my career that a lot of guys start to re-think about what they can and can’t do in the ring. Some start to think about retiring before any serious injuries happen. Some say they’ll fight forever. I made a promise to myself many years ago that I wouldn’t stay in this ring when I couldn’t do it anymore. I went out and proved I still could and that’s why I have this.

AJ takes a second and looks around.

AJ Adams: So what’s next? A challenge. I never just sit back, that’s just not my way. I’ve spent years talking about MY legacy and in a few weeks, at BWF Happenstance, I’ll add to that legacy. I put out a challenge to a LONG time rival of mine, Allen Chaney.

There’s a cheer for Allen’s name but AJ doesn’t pause.

AJ Adams: The comedian has found himself looking for work and I want the best challenge I can think of. That’s why I offered a championship match to Allen and it was quickly signed by Jen Corlen. The thing that she doesn’t know is what this match means to me. I need to keep proving that I can do this. That’s why, at Happenstance, if I lose to Allen Chaney I will retire from wrestling.

The bombshell left the fans buzzing as he dropped the microphone and left the ring.

¡De Vuelta En Tu Agujero!

Voice: The first ever Empire Wrestling National Champion.

We hear the voice over on a black screen before the shot snaps open onto Tia Santos. The shot’s out in a wide open, barren looking desert area. Literally not even a tumbleweed or any cacti are visible anywhere. It might almost be a beautiful sight if not for the grimm air that the Saint of Killers carries with her, everywhere she goes. She’s standing with her back to the camera, arms draped up over the ends of an Aztec training Macuahitl war club that rests across her shoulders. Dangling from around it, in the center, is the Empire Extreme Championship.

Tia Santos: The first EVER...Empire Wrestling National Champion.

Tia is dressed quite plainly, as she turns around, in black jeans, a black, cut off House Crowley t-shirt with deep cuts in the sides where the sleeves were removed. Around her mouth is a black bandana with a skull mouth decor while a “Saint of Killers” bandana rests around her head like a headband. She clicks her tongue and cocks her head to the side.

Tia Santos: An accolade like that holds a lot of weight, Alicia Monroe. But which is better to hold pride over? Is it being the first? Or is it being the greatest? Are you the greatest National Champion there ever was or has someone already surpassed you? Maybe not. Not yet. My Kamila will surely claim that title in her current reign. That leaves you and I, right where we are, now.

She turns her gaze down and kicks what sounds like a rock across the desert floor before lifting her head back to gaze into the camera. A steady breeze blows loose strands of her hair to the side.

Tia Santos: Alicia Monroe, you are setting foot back into a realm of which you did not survive the first time. You may think you know what to expect, however I have warped the world you’re about to enter into my own domain. The first ever National Champion is now in the territory of the greatest Extreme Champion that this company has ever seen - and perhaps, will ever see.

With that, Tia lifts the war club up and over her head to the front and tips it, sliding the Extreme Title down the length of the wooden weapon and over her wrist where she holds it up in her hand. Subsequently, she sets the end of the club down on the ground beside her foot.

Tia Santos: Many have ventured into my plane of existence and tried their hand. There are grave markers to remind the mortal world of their failures. You were there. You should know. You cannot kill the Saint of Killers, Senorita Monroe. A hard lesson to learn but one that I will surely teach you, for a second time. I welcome you to my world to make your attempt. I look forward to putting you back into the hole you crawled out of. However, this time, I’m going to nail the box shut. Then, all that will be left for you to do is lie in wait...weeping as the darkness takes you….

Tia lifts the war club in her hand and taps the center plate of the title belt with the pommel of the hilts.

Tia Santos: Ven, niña. Es hora de morir de nuevo.

The camera pans in slowly on Tia as she speaks without subtitles this time. The camera rests on her cold, hardened eyes for an uncomfortable moment before the screen just cuts to black.

Marilyn Lee Cross Vs. Kaito Hirano

• We got a shot of Harper Blake backstage watching this match as she had a contract to fight the Primetime Champion.
• This match never got started as all three members of Dishonor attacked the Primetime Champion, MLC, before the match started.
• Blake rushed to the ring and helped Cross chase them out of the ring. Sara Logan came out and made a tag team match between Cross and Blake versus any two members of Dishonor.

Marilyn Lee Cross/Harper Blake Vs. Dishonor

• Jason Evans got on the microphone and said Logan didn’t say WHICH members of Dishonor it had to be so he introduced “two new members” and out came two unknown men introduced as Shawn Riley and Kevin Peterson.
• Cross hit Peterson with Catch Your Breath (Striking Spear) and Blake hit Riley with Future Sight (V-Trigger).
• Blake starred down Cross as she lifted Riley up and delivered a falcon arrow. Cross did the same as she then pulled Peterson into position with Do A Barrel Roll (Cartwheel Death Valley Driver).
• Cross then locked Peterson in the Hungry Jaws (Dragon Sleeper w/ body scissors) and he quickly tapped.
• After the match, Hirano shouted at Cross and Blake as the two women stood face to face before we cut away.

WINNER: Harper Blake & Marilyn Lee Cross via pinfall @ 3:44

EXTREME CHAMPIONSHIP
Tia Santos (c) Vs. Alicia Monroe

• It was the main event and the fans were excited. They were behind Santos as she entered with smoke rising from the stage.
• As we’ve seen recently, trash cans were scattered around the ring with weapons inside.
• Monroe came to the ring with her own kendo stick. She came out swinging and connected with shots to the gut of Santos.
• Santos finally kicked the stick on a swing and then caught Monroe with a roundhouse kick to the head.
• Santos took control of the match with her lucha style and had Monroe moving all around the ring with takedowns and kicks.
• Monroe countered a headscissors into a powerbomb onto a trash can. This allowed Monroe to go to the top and hit Phoenix Dive (Swanton Bomb). She covered and got a two count pin.
• Santos was backed into a corner where Monroe hit a big clothesline. She looked for Freebird (Running Bulldog) but Santos countered into a German suplex. Santos rolled Monroe out of the ring and onto the announce table and landed a few shots to the face.
• Santos looked under the ring and pulled out a ladder and set it up. She tried to climb but Monroe stood on the announce table and jumped over to the ladder. They went to the top and Monroe wanted to suplex Santos through the table off the ladder. Santos tried to fight and get free but Monroe smashed her head first into the top of the ladder. Monroe hit Concussion Induction (Avalanche DDT) and they went through the announce table!
• The fans were chanting “holy shit” as both were slow to move but Monroe was clearly up first. She pulled Santos out of the ruble and rolled her into the ring. Monroe looked at the downed Santos and then looked at the ladder. She pulled it closer to the ring and climbed. She was thinking about a moonsault off the ladder into the ring but missed as Santos got out of the way!
• Santos went to the top rope and came down onto Monroe with a coffin drop! Santos covered and Monroe kicked out at two.
• Santos and Monroe were both slow to their feet and met in the middle of the ring and went blow for blow. Monroe looked for a suplex but Santos turned and landed on her feet and delivered a neckbreaker.
• They both stood and Monroe looked for a roundhouse kick but Santos countered with Danze de los Muertos ([Dance of the Dead] Usually performed when an opponent goes for a kick to her head. Tia bends back, using her flexibility, evading the kick. She bends back up and goes for a spinning back kick which the opponent usually ducks. As they come up, however, Tia’s kicking leg comes down and she nails them in the face with a Chick Kick, finishing with a dancing spin with her arms out).
• Monroe stumbled up and this allowed Santos to hit Beso de Muerte ([Kiss of Death] Dream DDT). Santos covered as the fans counted along and she picked up the victory.

WINNER AND STILL EW EXTREME CHAMPION: Tia Santos via pinfall @ 25:33

The show ended with Santos pulling herself up slowly and then being handed her title so she could celebrate another title defense.