NYCW: The Tri-State Hustle

[arwink]

THE VIEW FROM BACKSTAGE

 

A little tension in the backstage area this week, courtesy of Luca Sacramoni checking Facebook on his phone when Larry was trying to run down the card and special considerations with the boys ahead of the show. Vessey ordered the big man to buy a crate of beer after the show, to make up for his disrespect to the rest of the crew.

 

Meanwhile, one of our big matches of the night was let down by some really rough chemistry—it seems Crocket Tubbs and The New York Doll don’t click as opponents, which helps explain why their feud in 2017 was regarded as one of NYCW’s most lacklustre and short-lived.

 

I made a point of complimenting Doll alongside Tubbs after the show—they did a solid job despite their issues—and I took Curtis Shaw aside to give him a little encouragement. We’re putting a lot on the kid’s shoulders, turning him loose as a single’s competitor, and I wanted to let him know he’d lived up to that.

 

Another three-way tie on the forum’s prediction league this week, with BHK1978, Kanegan, MisterRomanini all picking up their very own Hawkeye Calhoun special edition baseball. Which would be more impressive, I suspect, if they weren’t just cheap baseballs that Calhoun signed with a sharpie.

 

We’ve

really

got to upgrade our merch department.

 

 

I like Ray but I think Curtis has this in the bag.

 

I think you're the only person who called this one.

 

Poor Ray. Everyoe expects so much from him, but he's been relegated to the sidelines in this NYCW.

 

Charlie's rotten consistency is actively offensive to me

 

I'm a few weeks ahead and I haven't yet had a match where he hasn't been dinged for consistency.

 

Fortunately, Charlie's spot on the roster depends less on his wrestling ability and more on his ability to get DeGraff over.

 

Might not be a bad heel duo there.

 

I'm completely torn on this idea--they're such an odd couple as a team, but they would both benefit from it. I put them together, hoping for chemistry, which would make the partnership a no-brainer, but alas it was not to be.

[arwink]

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:24px;">THE PAST IS PROLOGUE</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;">

</span></strong></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">POST-SHOW PARTY</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">

GOLDIES BAR, BROOKLYN | Two Hours After The Closing Bell</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;">

</span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="M4BW9dX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M4BW9dX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

The rumour went through backstage that Ozzie Goldstein knew one of the bouncers at a 70s themed bar in Greenpointe, and a surprising number of the boys decided to make a night of it post-show.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

It seemed a daring choice.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

There’s a longstanding urban myth among my generation of wrestlers that suggests that anything related to disco is a damned bad idea. In general, it relates to one of those unspoken rules in pro-wrestling: don’t do anything in front of a booker that you wouldn’t do in the ring. It got attached to disco, in particular, because fifteen years ago a young talent named Robbie Jones made the mistake of dancing to Staying Alive with his girlfriend at an SWF Christmas party.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Rumour has it old man Eisen caught sight of the kid mid-jive, and in that instant a blue chip athlete named Robbie Jones became the afro’d doctor of love, Robbie Retro, for the rest of his career. For many wrestling fans—particularly the faithful we’d cultivated as passionate fans of DAVE—Robbie Retro was the kiss of death and the end of a promising career.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

To those folks, I can only point out how well that gimmick served Robbie and how much money he earned from it over the years he spent working for Eisen. He may never have won a world championship, but his longetivity's been impressive. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Still, I suspect a lot of the NYC-Dub boys would have been happier if I’d gone home instead of joining the post-show party. Most nights, I would have obliged them, but Pablo Rodriguez was among the wrestlers heading out to celebrate and I wanted to catch up with an old friend. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Fifteen years ago, during the period where DAVE was the hottest thing in wrestling, Pablo Rodriguez had been one of the guys I built the promotion around—a hardcore luchador unlike anything America had seen before, with the ability to do it all: talk, fly, wrestle, and brawl.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Now I settled in behind him and handed him a glass of scotch. I tilted my head in Hawkeye Calhoun’s direction. “So, what do you think?”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="qB5gh2e.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qB5gh2e.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

Pablo went silent as he contemplated the question. “The kid’s got something, but he’s not the finished product yet.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Neither were you, the first time someone picked you to work on top.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

That earned me a smile, and a faint salute of acknowledgement. “It’s going to be an uphill battle,” Pablo said. “Everybody loved Steve, and everybody loved what Steve could do with the belt around his waist. It didn’t matter if nobody knew him because he’d make them believe once he stepped into the ring, and he’d get the other guy over before he took the win.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“It’s not often you get a Steve Flash on the roster.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Steve isn’t the problem.” Pablo drained his scotch, signalled the bartender to pour another. On the far side of the bar, Animal Harker tempted fate by doing the Hustle on a podium. Pablo Rodriguez cleared his throat. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“Most of the promotors didn’t believe you were coming back, until you came back for real,” he said. “Now you’re back, and you’ve got a reputation.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“IPW does hardcore.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

“It’s not the hardcore rep that bothers them,” Pablo said. “You’re the guy who took the land of misfit toys and got them on TV. You convinced the fans </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Tank</em></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> was a big deal through embellishment and promotion. Larry might want to bring the belt to New York, but a lot of the promotors are worried it’ll end up on someone who can’t bring in the money like the champion should. </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>That’s</em></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> what you’re up against.”</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

He claimed his drink and excused himself, heading off to talk shop with Happy Elwood in the corner. I sat on my stool and watched the NYCW crew at play, chewing over what Pablo had told me. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

I’d floated the news I was coming back to Pablo early, specifically because, as COTT World Champion, he had access to the promotors and bookers I didn’t. I knew Larry wanted the belts to have a run in the Tri-State, and I knew that was going to be a hard sell given our talent pool.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

And while I’d hoped for better news, I hadn’t </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>expected</em></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> it. Getting a New York based World Champ wasn’t going to be easy at the best of times, and I'd rubbed all sorts of people the wrong way while running DAVE and working for the DeColts.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

I knew there were bookers in the territory who disliked me, and more that held reservations. That's why I wanted to get their temperature, because I had a plan for the territories and the belts and NYCW, and Larry's desire to be the crown jewel played into that. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

But to do that required trust, and a guy we could push for a world champioinship that could deliver like Steve Flash did. The question was: could that guy be Hawkeye Calhoun?</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">

</div></div></div></div>

[arwink]

<p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-size:24px;"><span style="font-family:Impact;">POSTED TO THE NYCW YOUTUBE CHANNEL </span></span></strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="51697" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div style="text-align:center;"><div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>PARKING LOT PROMO</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Curtis Shaw is out in the parking lot behind Bradford Arena, pacing back and forth as the fans exit. “So there’s this guy in New York City wrestling whose damn proud of being so big nobody can throw him around. Damn proud of being an immovable object that the rest of the company needs to work around. He’s a guy who goes out there and does his best not to lose, instead of giving his all to pick up the win. </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I’m not an immovable object. But unlike Devastating Don, I don’t wrestle matches to avoid losing. I wrestle matches with the intent of suplexing people out of their goddamn shoes and mashing their face into the canvas with the curb stomp.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “And Don? You ain’t so big that I can’t do that to you…” </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 20</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>POST-SHOW PROMO FROM THE INTERVIEW STAGE</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><img alt="pASVuhV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pASVuhV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Masked Stranger stands in front of the NYCW banner, dressed to impress in a three-piece suit, every inch an old-school wrestler. “Y’know, this thing between me and Denny King, it started long before either of us has a title. He calls himself the Wildcard, and he likes to live up to the name. In the past he’s jumped me from behind, tried to pull my mask off, and done his best to injure me and take me out of this sport.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “It’s been one thing after another for two years now, and now he’s the Tri-State champion.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Well, King, you’ve done your best to try and take me out, but I’m still here. I’m still coming after you. And one day I’ll catch you in a corner, and it won’t be about sneak attacks or masks or even a title belt.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “When that happens—on that day when you’ve got nowhere left to run—you and me will have to fight and settle things once and for all.” </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 24</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>FAN-CAM FOOTAGE</strong></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><img alt="G0VNJIx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/G0VNJIx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="qB5gh2e.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/qB5gh2e.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> We get some footage from a fan’s mobile phone, taken while the COTT World Champion, Pablo Rodriguez, is signing autographs after the show. Rodriguez is being professional and posing with fans...then finds hiself standing toe-to-toe with NYCW Empire Champion Brutus Milano.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The NYCW champ doesn’t say a thing, merely raises his championship belt high and stares Rodriguez down.</div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Pablo Rodriguez arises an eyebrow and rests a hand against the COTT World Championship strapped to his belt. He doesn’t break eye contact, but he also doesn’t need to lift the belt—he knows that he’s the better man. “One day,” he says, “if you’re lucky, esse, you may get a chance to wrestle for the one belt that matters more than yours.” </div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 37</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div><img alt="Z8oIRbJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Z8oIRbJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><div></div></blockquote><p> </p><p> </p><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="MGL3h2P.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/MGL3h2P.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p> </p><p> <strong>COMING UP AT NYCW LASHING OUT</strong></p><p><strong> Saturday, Week 3, January 2020</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p> Brutus Milano vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match</p><p> Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein</p><p> Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. Animal Harker vs. Super Massive Destroyer</p><p> Masked Stranger vs. Tennessee William</p><p> Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don</p><p> Brooklyn’s Finest vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino</p><p> Geoff Borne vs. Luca Sacramoni</p><p> The American Cobras vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match</p></div><p></p><p></p>

[BHK1978]

I like that you're making the Masked Stranger interesting.

 

Brutus Milano vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match

 

There is simply no way Doll wins here, especially if you are setting up Milano vs. Pablo for somewhere down the road.

 

Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein

 

I view Happy as the weak link in this match.

 

Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. Animal Harker vs. Super Massive Destroyer

 

I honestly have no clue with this match, I just chose Animal because I feel like he is probably the most over.

 

Masked Stranger vs. Tennessee William

 

I could be completely off base on this one, but as I stated I like that you are giving Masked Stranger some personality. It is something that I always struggle with in my personal games when I use him. Therefore, I am going to have him go to the pay window here, even though I think Tennessee will end up getting the win here.

 

 

Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don

 

Here is another one where I have no clue. I think Andrew and Richie are over enough to pick up the win here, but then you throw Don into the mix and I honestly don't know what will happen.

 

Brooklyn’s Finest vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino

 

Geoff Borne vs. Luca Sacramoni

 

The American Cobras vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match

 

The Cobras are not going to lose to The Boys

[MisterRomanini]

Brutus Milano vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match

Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein

Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. Animal Harker vs. Super Massive Destroyer

Masked Stranger vs. Tennessee William

Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don

Brooklyn’s Finest vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino

Geoff Borne vs. Luca Sacramoni

The American Cobras vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match

[1PWfan]

Brutus Milano vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match

I've always liked the Doll but he hasn't delivered to a level where the outcome here's in doubt

 

Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein

I could easily see this going the other way but Riley feels like the biggest deal in this match

 

Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. Animal Harker vs. Super Massive Destroyer

I like Chuck, hate Justice and SMD and love Harker so he gets it

 

Masked Stranger vs. Tennessee William

Stranger's one of my all-time faves but Tennessee's your top heel

 

Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don

Devastating Don needs to leave all forms of imaginary wrestling forever

 

Brooklyn’s Finest vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino

Probably via DQ

 

Geoff Borne vs. Luca Sacramoni

I can't remember which one Luca is, but he definitely isn't Sal so I'm not betting on a win

 

The American Cobras vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match

There are teams on the roster that could take the title but The Boys aren't it

[kanegan]

Brutus Milano vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match

Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein

Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. Animal Harker vs. Super Massive Destroyer

Masked Stranger vs. Tennessee William

Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don

Brooklyn’s Finest vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino

Geoff Borne vs. Luca Sacramoni

The American Cobras vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match

[SIser187]

Brutus Milano vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match

Don't see a change here.

 

Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein

Riley feels like a long term foe to your top heel.

 

Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. Animal Harker vs. Super Massive Destroyer

We'll go with Harker here.

 

Masked Stranger vs. Tennessee William

This could be a match of the night contender.

 

Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don

Maybe a DQ with Don doing something?

 

Brooklyn’s Finest vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino

I tend to go with named tag teams.

 

Geoff Borne vs. Luca Sacramoni

I'll be the odd ball, sure.

 

The American Cobras vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match

Don't see a switch here either though this could also be pretty good.

[Andy_Kobain]

I know that I'm a little late to the party, but I love your writing style. I'm so interested in every single article that you write, or the post events dialogue between Rodriguez and Vibert, or how you use the backstage incidents as part of your diary too. It's just pure genius.

 

Also, you're running a weekly show for a small promotion like NYCW (I tried to do that with MAW) and it's so hard, but you're spacing your feuds nicely. Your stories are really well put together.

 

By the way, the Phil Vibert stable is just so interesting. I really like what you've done with that story so far.

 

So, congrats! This is so amazing, so fun and so entertaining.

[Zergon]

<p>Great start so far. I did miss first two shows but plan to be here for now on.</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Brutus Milano</strong> vs. The New York Doll – NYCW Empire Title Match</p><p>

<em>Even if you plan to take the belt of from Milano, I´m quite doubful Doll would be the one to do so.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Riley McManus & Happy Elwood vs. <strong>Denny King & Ozzie Goldstein</strong></p><p>

<em>This feels like it could go either way. I was first going to pick McManus and Elwood but changed my mind in the last second for the simple reason that interferences could play a role here (either from Queen or from Harper as long as Harper doesn´t acctually physically touch McManus) and it´s usually heels who benefit from that. Namely, I think Harper is going to come here but not get physical in hopes of getting McManus to lose his temper and attack Harper thus giving Harper a title shot opportunity.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Chuck Casey vs. Justice Jolson vs. <strong>Animal Harker</strong> vs. Super Massive Destroyer</p><p>

<em>New head booker coming in and telling audience you are bad example (yes, it´s an angle but still) does put me on bit of notice about what the said guys role would be going forward but I don´t see the other three picking a win here unless Harker is on his way out and right now, I think that Vibert´s point on Harker is just s atoryline and not actual reflection on how Vibert sees Harker.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Masked Stranger vs. <strong>Tennessee William</strong></p><p>

<em>I don´t have any real experience with C-verse on TEW2020 so not 100% sure were everyone stands but as far as I know, William is the top guy so he´s likely to pick the win here.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars vs. <strong>Andrew Harper, Richie Riggins, & Devastating Don</strong></p><p>

<em>Thinking this is a way to give Don a win with his feud against Shaw without making Shaw look any weaker.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Brooklyn’s Finest</strong> vs. Sal DiMeo & Machine Gun Marino</p><p>

<em>Not 100% sure who Brooklyn´s Finest are but thniking Freedom Eagle and Calhoun in which case, they should get win even if I dislike Eagle.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Geoff Borne vs.<strong> Luca Sacramoni</strong></p><p>

<em>DiMeo´s guys haven´t looked particularly strong so far but have gotten some promo time so I assume they aren´t meant tp be just jobbers, hence I think Luca might pick a win here.</em></p><p>

</p><p><strong>

The American Cobras </strong>vs. The Boys From The Yukon—COTT World Tag-Team Title Match</p><p>

<em>Boys have two wins in two tag matches so far so they are a real threat but I do think Cobras are on another level and thinking that the situation with COTT tag belts is pretty much the same than with Heavyweight belt on that Vibert probably would want to eventually have one of his teams to win those but probably won´t rock that boat just yet.</em></p>

[arwink]

NYCW LASHING OUT

Saturday, Week 3, January 2020

Bradford Arena, NY – 432 PEOPLE

 

 

YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM

 

 

The screens in Bradford Arena come to life and replay a livestream from Charlie Corner. “What up, YouTube! This is your boy, Charlie Corner, and his tag-team partner, Big Dom DeGraff.”

 

 

The camera spins to show Dominic DeGraff reading Proust on a locker room bench. He glances up, says “yo,” and goes back to his book.

 

Corner’s face fills the screen again. “We’re backstage at NYCW Lashing out and, I gotta tell, this show is liiiiiiiiiiiit! Brutus Milano versus New York Doll! Tennessee William vs The Masked Stranger! COTT Tag-Team champions, the American Cobras, going up against the Boys from the Yukon.

 

“And, of course, the first mach of this guy right here as he takes the first step in fulfilling his pledge to challenge for the World Title before the year is out.”

 

 

The camera spins again, focusing in on Geoff Borne whose busy taping up his wrists. “Yo, GB,” Charlie calls. “I hear your got Luca Sacramoni tonight? Want to give the big man a few words?”

 

Borne scowls up at the camera. “Luca, my journey had to start somewhere. Tonight, it starts with you.”

RATING: 30

 

 

PRESS CONFERENCE FOOTAGE

 

 

Riley McManus and Happy Elwood are on our interview stage, answering questions from the small press pack before the show. McManus confirms that he plans on abiding by Larry Vessey’s restriction—much as he’d like to get payback on Andrew McManus, he’d like to be World Heavyweight Champion more. And, of course, if his team with Elwood plays out, they could be on the hunt for tag gold as well.

 

Someone asks if Elwood is worried about being caught up in the issues between McManus and Harper, Elwood merely smiles. “Ma’am, it’s only been two weeks since New York Doll jumped me from behind and beat me black-and-blue because I beat him in a match. Sure, wrestling’s tough. It gets a little rowdy—we fight for a living. But if I backed down from a match because my partner’s got some issues with a fellow who gets rambunctious, I’d say I’d gotten into the wrong gosh-darn business and needed to find a new way to make a living.”

RATING: 38

 

 

OPENING PROMO

 

 

The Slick Pimp Daddy, Ernie Turner, stands in the middle of the ring. “Ladies and gentlemen, we are in Bradford Arena, New York, New York, and you are here for New York City Wrestling’s LASHING OUT! We’ve got—”

 

 

Turner doesn’t get the opportunity to run own the card, because Tennessee William storms out to the ring and demands the opportunity to speak. He’s been listening to people talk about the fact that he’s afraid of Brutus Milano all week, and he wants to get a few things straight. First, he’s not afraid to take on any man in a straight fight. Second, he ran away from Milano last week because he’d just wrestled an epic match-up against Happy Elwood—a match he won—and he wasn’t in any condition to fight a fresh Brutus Milano. Third…he’s sick of hearing these stories and rumors, and he’s sick of Milano running around with Tennessee Williams’ belt. So he’s making a challenge for Empire State next month—"Tennessee versus Brutus Milano, one last time, two-out-of-three falls, for the Empire Title.”

 

 

The New York Doll then strolls down to the ring, and takes the microphone. He points out the sheer presumption involved in thinking Milano will be the champion by the time they reach Empire State, given Doll has got a match for the belt later tonight. “You can have your two-out-of-three-falls match any time you want, but the only way you’ll be able to get that belt is if you come after me once you’re done.”

RATING: 48

 

 

COTT WORLD TAG-TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

 

vs,

 

THE AMERICAN COBRAS vs. THE BOYS FROM THE YUKON

 

The Boys from the Yukon have dominated the tag-team ranks in NYCW for several months, which has earned them a shot at the World Tag-Team Titles. They square off in the centre of the ring during the announcements, and Howlin’ Mad Mort makes things personal when he pie-faces Marvel Malloy instead of accepting a handshake to start the match. It sets the tone—the Boys from the Yukon aren’t here to play to nice, and they aren’t afraid of the Cobras reputation.

 

Unlike last month’s World Championship match, there’s no big fight feel here—no NYCW team has ever won the World Titles and the Boys aren’t the ones the fans would choose to break that particular streak. The fans get what they expect, which is a fast-paced tag match full of quick tags and double teams, where the Boys dominate early and the Cobras mount an impressive comeback.

 

Then the Boys hit Marvel Malloy with the Tiiiiiiiiiiimber chokeslam amid the tumultuous closing sequence, and Whitehorse Whittaker crash-tackles Spillane when he tries to break up Mad Mort’s pinfall. There is a moment of shocked silence while it sinks in—the Boys from the Yukon have just become COTT World Heavyweight Champions.

 

The Boys From The Yukon defeated The American Cobras in 12:26 when Howlin' Mad Mort pinned Marvel Malloy. The Boys From The Yukon win the COTT World Tag Team titles. RATING: 34

 

 

vs.

 

GEOFF BORNE vs. LUCA SACRAMONI

 

Luca Sacramoni comes into this match with a host of advantages in terms of size and weight, but the experience edge is all Geoff Borne and it proves to be decisive. The problem—as Ernie Turner suggests on commentary—is that Sacramoni and his partner are street fighters, used to intimating people with threats of violence rather than wrestling in matches where half their fighting instincts would result in an immediate DQ. Outside the ring, in a brawl, the big men would be damn near unstoppable…but put them in a match and they overthink things, while Geoff Borne can trust in his training. Borne picks up the win with the Borne Again.

 

Geoff Borne defeated Luca Sacramoni in 7:54 by pinfall. RATING: 30

 

 

 

Sweet Sal DiMeo and Machine Gun Marino swarm the ring and start beating on Geoff Borne, getting a little payback for the defeated Sacramoni.

 

 

Which brings out Freedom Eagle and Hawkeye Calhoun to make the save, one wielding a chair and the other a baseball bat. The four men fight, and we transition into our scheduled match between Brooklyn’s Finest and DiMeo’s family.

RATING: 33

 

 

vs.

 

BROOKLYN’S FINEST vs. SWEET SAL & MACHINE GUN

 

Plenty of warnings from the referee in this one, particularly in the opening minutes when temperatures are running high. Once again, the emphasis is placed on the DiMeo wrestler’s background—particularly Machine Gun’s training as a boxer, which leads to the rapid-fire strikes that give him his name and constantly threaten to get him disqualified for using a closed-fist punch.

 

Eagle and Calhoun have no such problem, doing a great job of cutting the ring in half and focusing on the weaker opponent. They work Machine Gun Marino for the bulk of the match, only losing control when Eagle boils over and consents to brawl with Sal DeMio through the crowd and then out into the back. Which leaves Calhoun and Machine Gun to finish, and it surprises no-one when Calhoun puts it away with the Home Run.

 

Brooklyn's Finest defeated Sweet Sal & Marino in 11:06 when Hawkeye Calhoun pinned Machine Gun Marino. RATING: 35

 

 

 

There’s six man action up next, and Andrew Harper is the first man announced. To the surprise of damn near everyone, Riley McManus’s music hits right after, and McManus makes his way down to ringside where he takes a seat to watch the coming match.

 

Harper snarls and moves to intimidate McManus, then remembers what’s at stake if he engages in a. physical altercation. He reins himself in and McManus looks smug as he settles in the wait.

RATING: 33

 

 

vs.

w/

 

CURTIS SHAW & THE LA STARS vs. HARPER, RIGGINS, & DEVASTATING DON w/ Cheerleader Nikki

 

This is short and wild, cycling through all the various in-ring combinations with surprising speed. Much is made of the LA Stars failed attempts to get Devastating Don off his feet, then Shaw’s attempt to suplex the superheavyweight which teeters on the edge of success until Richie Riggins interferes. Things break down and amid the chaos Andrew Harper sets up a table at ringside, but he doesn’t get a chance to use it before Richie Riggins his the Body Bag on LA Star #2 and picks up the pinfall.

 

Harper, Riggins & Devastating Don defeated Curtis Shaw & The LA Stars in 10:11 when Richie Riggins pinned LA Star #2. RATING: 31

 

 

 

Shaw loses his temper after the match and shoves Richie Riggins, badmouthing the Body for interfering in his attempt to suplex the four-hundred-and-sixty pound Don.

 

 

Devastating Don steps into the ring to shove Shaw in response, openly mocking the shredded Shaw.

 

 

That’s the fuse that sparks a three-on-three brawl, and amid the chaos Harper drags one of the LA Stars towards the ropes where he’s set up the table.

 

 

That’s the impetus for Riley McManus to get involved. He darts towards the the ring, ready to make the save…and then hesitates as he realises what touching Harper would cost him. Harper realises why McManus is hesitating and breaks into an evil grin, wasting no time in powerslamming LA Star #2 over the top rope and through the table below…making it very clear Riley McManus’ plan just backfired.

RATING: 30

 

 

vs.

 

MASKED STRANGER vs. TENNESSEE WILLIAM

 

There are matches you book—sans angle—because you know the two guys in the ring will deliver a great twenty-minute chunk of wrestling. There’s a lot of buzz about Ray Snow being the guy hired to fulfil the workhorse role in NYCW after Steve Flash retired, but I honest believe the heir apparent to Flash’s “work a great match against anyone” role is the man who calls himself Masked Stranger.

 

They take it slow and built the match in steps, both men picking a body part to work and doing everything they can to punish their opponent. William recognises that he’s outclassed early and starts heeling it up to take control, using stalls and cheap shots to buy himself time every time Stranger picks up some momentum. Stranger responds by refusing to lose his cool, doubling down on his focused attack on Tennessee William’s neck as he builds towards the Cobra Clutch.

 

The first submission attempt comes around 12 minute in, Stranger going for his signature hold and getting rebuffed when William drops to the floor and crawls out of the ring in a panic. The first attempt at a guitar shot comes not long after, William looking for an equalizer that will keep him in the game, but Stranger has the attack scouted and lets the referee take care of things, shooting in once William’s disarmed to take him to the floor.

 

They trade the advantage back-and-forth from there, picking up momentum, and ultimately Tennessee William only picks up the victory when a grabs a fistful of tights as he rolls Masked Stranger up.

 

Tennessee William defeated Masked Stranger in 20:23 by pinfall with a handful of tights. RAITING: 48

 

 

 

Animal Harker heads down to the ring, collecting a mic on the way. “Four corner survival,” he says. “Four men in the ring, one pinfall between you and victory. A chaotic, wild kind of match…but I’m a chaotic and wild kind of guy.

 

“But let’s be honest—there’s only one guy back there that I’m really interested in fighting. Vibert, I know you’re back there, brother. I hear you and Quentin Queen have been in town trying to nail down a deal, and you’ve spent the last few weeks calling me out and refusing to answer when I show up. I want—”

 

 

“Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Phil Vibert, and I am the advocate for the future of this sport we all love known as professional wrestling. It’s my pleasure to come out here tonight to deliver a very simple message to Mister Animal Harker—I DON’T GIVE A GOOD GOD DAMN WHAT YOU WANT!

 

“People like you are a scourge on the business of wrestling, Harker. Because make no mistake—this is a

business

. The goal of stepping into that ring is

earning money

, and as much of it as your talent and experience can bring in. We’re not going to fight just because your feelings a hurt…especially when you’re a living example of that old adage—the truth hurts.

You

chose to be in Japan instead of honouring your commitment to my client and these fans, and as a consequence Quentin Queen is the hottest young prospect in the territories.

 

“That means if Larry Vessey wants to Quentin Queen to fight in a New York City Wrestling ring, then Larry Vessey needs to meet our demands and get Quentin’s signature on a contract. If you want this match so bad, go press the man who can make it happen instead of running your mouth here in the ring.

 

“Better yet, start making the smart choice—focus on winning matches instead of trying to pick a fight. Maybe then you’ll earn enough that you don’t have to run off to Japan to make your rent in the first place.”

 

Harker glares at the young prospect and his manager, cracking his knuckles as he does so.

 

“Oh,” Vibert says. “I see you don’t like that, Mister Harker. I see you think intimidation will overcome good business sense and convince us to make a reckless decisions. Well, fortunately for you, I

was

able to come to an accord with Mister Vessey when he pointed out that our failure to reach an agreement left him a man short for the Four Corner Survival match."

 

 

“I told him…when in doubt…unleash the weapon of mass destruction.”

RATING: 43

 

 

FOUR CORNER SURVIVAL

 

vs.

vs.

vs.

 

CHUCK CASEY vs. JUSTICE JOLSON vs. ANIMAL HARKER vs. SUPER MASSIVE DESTROYER

 

This one kicks off with a wild brawled between Animal Harker and Destroyer, who tear into one another before the other two competitors are even announced. It’s soon clear that everyone else is along for the ride, and the smart all is staying out of the way.

 

Chuck Casey isn’t content to do that. In fact, the kid gets the first big pop of the match when he attempts to shoot in on Super Massive Destroyer and take the big man down. It goes

horribly

for the young rookie, but the fans are appreciative of the effort.

 

Justice Jolson is a little more circumspect with his involvement, doing his best to stay out of the way. In fact, when a rattled Harker tags him in to wrestle Destroyer, Jolson actually looks a little green at the prospect. The big man attempts to match the Destroyer’s strength, and quickly pays the price for it, although he does succeed in holding off the double-handed choke bomb.

 

All three men triple-team Destroyer after that, hoping to neutralise the big man, and things break down not long after. Animal Harker teams with Jolson to tip Destroyer out of the ring, then ducks Jolson’s attempt to double-cross with a clothesline. Harker quickly beats Jolson down to pick up the win with a Stump Piledriver.

 

Animal Harker defeated Super Massive Destroyer, Chuck Casey and Justice Jolson in 8:48 when Animal Harker pinned Justice Jolson. RATING: 26

 

 

vs.

 

RILEY McMANUS & HAPPY ELWOOD vs. DENNY KING & OZZIE GOLDSTEIN

 

Business picks up with this one. Both teams may have been throw together for the very first time, but they both pair a relatively new and well-known face with one of NYCW’s established, rock-solid talents. Everyone knows their business here, and sets out to earn some money.

 

King and Goldstein wrestle in unpredictable and seemingly chaotic ways, the unconventional logic of their attack only coming into focus much later in the match. Happy plays babyface in peril for much of the match, building up to the hot tag that unleashes McManus like a house on fire. Riley surprises everyone by eschewing his usual Slingshot Suplex and trying to draw the submission with a Fujiwara Armbar, but he’s never quite able to lock it in before the hold is broken or an opponent makes it to the ropes. Downpour and Turner speculate that he’s trying to formulate a game plan that might work against the high-flying ability of Pablo Rodriguez.

 

Things break down, as they do in a tag match, and Denny King gets taken out of the ring by a missile dropkick/tope con hilo combination from Happy Elwood. Ozzie Goldstein goes to take McManus’ head off with a step up enziguri, but it’s ducked and McManus transitions into the Slingshot Suplex for the win.

 

Riley McManus and Happy Elwood defeated Denny King and Ozzie Goldstein in 24:21 when Riley McManus pinned Ozzie Goldstein. RATING: 40

 

 

 

Elwood and McManus have their hand raised…and the Ramone’s

Blitzkrieg Bop

hits as The New York Doll makes his way down to the ring for his scheduled Empire Title challenge.

 

NYCW’s resident punk stands at ringside and glares at Elwood and McManus, and Elwood wastes no time getting to ringside and standing toe-to-toe with Doll. The two men face off…but McManus pulls Elwood away before they can start brawling.

RATING: 25

 

 

NYCW EMPIRE CHAMPIONSHIP

 

vs.

 

BRUTUS MILANO vs. THE NEW YORK DOLL

 

The absurdity of this match sinks in the moment the two men lock up—Brutus Milano is a thickset heavyweight, muscle compacted upon muscle, while New York Doll is a skinny lightweight covered in tattoos who wrestles in torn jeans. If quickly apparent that the challenger doesn’t have a match for Milano’s strength, the predictions are made the match will be a short one.

 

To everyone’s surprise, Doll accepts the offer for a test of strength against the champion. And, as you’d expect, he gets forced back into a corner, even when he gets his feet against the centre turnbuckle and uses his whole body to try and break free. Milano grins and releases the hold at the referee’s orders…and promptly gets slapped in the face, then elbowed in the face, then thrown to the canvas with a quick arm drag that Doll transitions into a crossarm submission.

 

Milano gets to the ropes and breaks the hold, but the early damage has been done—Milano’s fighting this one with an injured wing and Doll is smart enough to work the appendage for the bulk of the match. Pretty soon Milano is struggling to get Doll up into a bearhug, let alone deliver a lariat with the injured limb, and a cocky Doll starts to fall back on his usual arsenal of stomach claws, boot scrapes, and choking his opponent with bootlaces.

 

It’s a nasty, nasty stretch of match but the champion weathers the storm and attempts to mount a comeback. When he finally succeeds, it’s largely a series of shoulder blocks that bounce Doll around the ring. Doll ultimately tries to apply a sleeper hold to slow the big man down, and he chinches it in tight enough that Milano actually drops to one knee as he struggles to breathe, but ultimately the champ digs deep, gets free, and locks in an Italian Backbreaker despite the pain it causes him. Doll is forced to submit, and Milano retains the Empire title.

 

Brutus Milano defeated The New York Doll in 19:52 by submission. RATING: 37

 

 

SHOW RATING: 38

[arwink]

Hmm. Weird show double-post, so I'm just going to commander this one and edit it for...

 

THE VIEW FROM BACKSTAGE

 

We'd put the argument to the COTT management committee that we needed an East Coast team to hold the tag-team belts for a stretch, even if it was only for a short while. No team from NYCW had been on top since the Confederation signed its charter, and the commictee had argued for the Boys as the first NYCW holders.

 

I understood the logic of it--even in territories where The Boys aren't well-known, they're solid hands and they're big enough to tell one of wrestling's most fundamental stories in a way that will get the local boys over. It still galled, as I would have prefered a very different duo, and I suspected the tag-team title reign was a stall to keep us from pressing for one of the local boys to hold the top belt for a while.

 

It made for a festive mood backstage, lifting the spirits of the locker room. I did my best to foster that by dishing out the compliments after the show, calling out Stranger and William for their outstanding match and complimenting Ozzie Goldstein on a great performance.

 

It wasn't all sunshine though. The Super Massive Destoryer had broken tree fingers on his left hand when he mistimed a strike and connected with the ring post full-force. It wasn't a serious wound, and he could probably work through it, but there's nothing quite like injuring your monster heel right as you're preparing for the big monster push.

 

Our merch continues to be a nightmare. I packaged up two I HEART NYCW t-shirts for MisterRomani and 1PWFan, the joint winners of this week's prediction contest on the NYCW website.

 

It might be time to start asking the boys to donate some merch we can use until we get our dedicated department operating the way it should be...

[arwink]

SINS OF THE PAST, PROBLEMS OF THE PRESENT

 

 

The upside of the Bradford Arena offices were fairly numerous. The space was already paying for itself—both in the takings we brought home for each show, and in the rental fees we’d soon be charging as the front office fielded queries about using it for live podcast tapings, other shows, and—surprisingly—a TCW try-out weekend where they scouted newer talent.

 

The downside, to my considerable surprise, was the private office we’d set aside for me to work in while between shows. It made it damnably easy for the boys to find me, when they wanted to have a private word. That made it far to easy for guys like Sal DiMeo to vent their spleen about their push, asking for something more. Thus far, those guys were usually placated by the discussion of future plans, and went away more-or-less happy and content they’d got my ear.

 

Still, it was always a problem when one of the talent asked for a quick word. Which is why I felt an a chill when Tennessee William knocked on my office door and asked if I had a moment.

 

 

If there’s one guy who didn’t really have the right to bitch about his push, it was Tennessee. Our next six months were booked around him and the title reign he’d get when he retained the title from Brutus Milano. Which meant, if he was showing up to have a chat, there was doubt looming over those plans.

 

To his credit, he didn’t pussyfoot around the issue. “Sir, I hate to do this, but I’d like you to wrap my up my run here. Soon, if you’re inclined to do it. Next three or four weeks, at the most.”

 

I stared at him for a while, hoping it was a rib.

 

If it was, Tennessee William should be making his living on the world poker tour instead of wrestling.

 

Damn

. I figured this day was coming—he’d been running hot and he had what it took to be someone on a larger stage.

 

“Who called?” I said.

 

Tennessee shook his head. “I ain’t got nothing lined up yet, just feeling antsy to get out outta here. Been feeling it for a while now, and I figured it was better to pull the pin before the Wrestleworld deal came through.”

 

Now I was confused.

 

“You don’t have another job?”

 

“No, sir.”

 

“Then…why?”

 

Tennessee’s shoulders shifted uncomfortably, and he found something interesting to look at in the corner of the ceiling. “I was never a fan of your work in DAVE, sir. What you did…it took wrestling in a direction I didn’t like. Away from the things I fell in love with as a boy, the approach that made me want to do this for a living for the rest of my life.

 

“I know you’ve said plenty about not wanting to do that here—and I’ll grant, we ain’t had reason to doubt you—but I’m also watching my friends dive through a table mid-math to sell an angle. You’ve cleared guys to use moves in matches that Larry and Stomper expressly forbid us to use. You might not be trying to make another DAVE, but you’ve got a way about you, an’ if I’m honest that makes me nervous. I’d like to give it some time, see how things shake out, and then decide if I want to be a full-time member of this roster.”

 

I took a deep breath, and picked my words carefully, trying not to let any anger seep in. “It doesn’t matter that were planning to make you the biggest star in the Confederation?”

 

At this, Tennessee actually broke into a grin. “No, sir. If you please, that wasn’t going to be your doing—you were giving me an opportunity to

make myself

a star, and you were doing that because I’d already made myself the biggest thing in this company. Seems to me, if I can do that here, I can do that somewhere else. And if I go now, it doesn’t look like I’m going due to some kind of problem—optics are better for you and me alike, assuming I get out before the streaming deal’s in play.”

 

“You’ve thought this through,” I said.

 

“I have.”

 

There were all sorts of ways to play this, all sorts of deals I could offer or ploys I might try to change his mind. But I long ago learned it’s easier to work with talent who trust you and want to work with you, and it seemed Tennessee wasn’t among their number…

 

I offered him my hand. “I hope, when you see the way we develop, you’ll contemplate coming back.”

 

“If you stick to your guns, and don’t change the spirit of the place, I might be willing to talk about it.”

 

 

I spent the hours after meeting with Tennessee going through my folder, thinking about the way we’d need to adjust the coming cards to account for our top draw’s departure. It wasn’t going to be easy—I’d focused on my booking on building a top-draw babyface to challenge William when he finally regained the title—and none of the candidates I would have considered for the role were ready to slot in there just yet.

 

Still, I had a short list: Ozzie Goldstein had the in-ring skills and presence on the mic; Richie Riggins could surprise me if we offered him the spot; The New York Doll…if he’d been thirty pounds heavier, it wouldn’t even be a question. Denny King could do it, but he would never be the good choice, being closer to forty than thirty.

 

There were plenty of other talents out there, but they all involved crossing a line. Logan Wolfsbane had been tearing this up for PSW and had everything I wanted in a top NYCW heel, but he was one of Mitch’s boys and that sent a particular kind of message; Doug Peak was still living in Philly, which put him in easy reach if wanted to book him. The same was true of Lead Belyl and Grease Hogg, two ex-SWF talents I’d worked with up in Canada and had a lot of time for. All three were known for tag-team work, so letting them main event as a solo act would seem fresh and new to the fans…except for the fact that all four were past forty and that broke the guidelines Larry and I established when we first hashed out our partnership.

 

Fact was, there were no good choices that didn't involve crossing some kind of line. It was all going to come down to which blemish I was willing to allow on the stories we were trying to tell...

Very OOC: Just to give folks a heads up--there could be a short delay before the next post or two. The micropublisher I run in my spare time just had a book go gangbusters with no warning (seriously, no warning. It's a book of poetry. Poetry never sells well). Basically, I'm now packing and shipping four times the number of books we usually do over the course of a month, while juggling the deadlines for the next two books we no longer have time to edit.

 

Just wanted to say thank you for all the kind words and predictions people have made--both here and in the nominations thread at the top of the boards--and promise that a delay doesn't mean I'm disappearing on this particular cliffhanger

[Hashasheen]

I think you mean Logan is one of Mitch's boys.

[arwink]

Cheers. Fixed now

[arwink]

POSTED TO THE NYCW YOUTUBE CHANNEL

 

INTERVIEW STAGE

 

 

Andrew Harper, Devastating Don, and Richie Riggins are gathered in front of the NYCW banner. Don’s eating a bucket of fried chicken and Riggins is flexing, leaving Harper takes the promo duties. “I keep hearing people asking ‘how is Andrew Harper going to last? How long can he go on without beating the hell out of Riley McManus, even with a shot at the World Championship at stake?’ They ask it like I’m a thug, driven to violence because it makes me feel better.

 

“To those people, I say, ‘take a look at my bank account.’ Take a look at the money violence has earned me over the last year. I don’t put people through tables because I hate them, or because I get kicks out of their pain. I put people through tables because that’s the business I’m in, and every opponent I face needs to ask themselves if

this

is the night I inflict pain on them, regardless of whether my hand gets raised. That means I’m living in their head, rent-free, long before we face off in the ring, and the fight is half won before the opening bell is rung.

 

“So how long can Iast? As long as it takes, baby. I’m a business man at heart, and this business is all about the wins. People may not like it, Larry Vessey may not want me here, but I’m worth too much to send away.

 

“And if this is just business…well, tonight already proved that I’m in Riley McManus head. He already knows the ways I can hurt him, and I’ve just found one more.”

 

Richie Riggins takes the mic, then pauses just long enough to kiss a bicep and flash a white-toothed grin at the camera. “McManus, at Phoenix Rising, I’m doing a favour for a friend. I’m facing you one-on-one, and I’m going to deliver the prettiest beating you’ve ever had. All those months you’ve spent preparing for Andrew won’t do a damn thing against me—you’re ready to face a howitzer, explosive and destructive, but I’m poisoned needle delivered when you least expect it.”

 

Which is when Devastating Don grabs the mic, delivering a mighty belch. “And if the needle don’t get it done, make no mistake—we unleash the dirty bomb and take out the whole city.”

RATING: 30

 

 

POST-MATCH PROMO

 

 

The New York Doll is back in the locker room, still covered in sweat from his failed attempt to capture the Empire title. NYCW’s resident punk unwraps his tape, scowling through his exhaustion. “I went out there tonight with a plan,” Doll says. “Wear the champ down, get on his back, and then choke the oxygen out of him until he announced he was ready to give. It almost worked, too. I had Milano down on one knee, right on the verge of tapping out, but the man has a neck like a Barcelona Bull and a fire in his gut that won’t be snuffed out.

 

“For a decade now, I’ve been watching Brutus Milano climb the ladder here at NYCW. I’ve seen him earn every shot and opportunity he’s been given, paying his dues along the way. I’ve watched him take the responsibility of being the champion on his shoulders and carry the damn company on his back.

 

“I don’t like it, but I can respect that. He fought his way to the top in one of the toughest cities in the world. He fought his way to a victory when I thought I had him beat. Milano

fought

, and the next time we meet in that ring, he’ll have to fight even harder if he wants to retain that title against the onslaught I’m bringing his way.

 

“I don’t like Milano. I don’t admire him. But he’s earned my respect over the years.

 

“Right now, that leaves me wondering: what have you earned, Happy Elwood? You walked into this company with a reputation, but it wasn’t built scrapping and clawing in gymnasiums and armouries. You followed your best friend into USPW, picked up the scraps as he rose up the ranks, and you’ve been cruising on that reputation ever since you walked away.

 

“The fans are high on you, Happy. The office is giving you shots your ass hasn’t earned here in NYCW. And the thing that sticks in my craw is the way you used my name to do it. I’ve been here longer than Brutus Milano, fighting harder and working my way up the ladder slower, for half the respect and opportunity guys like you got on your very first night.

 

“And with Brutus, man, I get it: a guy that big, with the physique and the strength, he’s always going to have an easier ride than the guys like me. But you, Happy, you’re no Barcelona Bull. Your neck isn’t a tree trunk, and you don’t throw lariats that hit like getting run down by a truck. If I lock the sleeper on you, then you’re going to pass out.

 

“And I’ll give credit where it’s due—I’m oh-and-one against you. You’re ahead in this little game because I figured you’d be a bum, and you proved to be a halfway decent wrestler despite your years down in Sam Strong’s little wet-dream of a wrestling fed. The next time we meet, make no mistake—you either show me something real, or I choke you out.”

RATING: 32

 

 

POST-SHOW INTERVIEW

 

 

Tennessee William stands in the parking lot of the Bradford Arena, visibly upset. “So it seems I’m forced to live in an mixed-up reality where people think Brutus Milano is better than me. A reality where he walks the streets of New York City wearing the Empire Title, and I’m the guy relegated to the history books as someone who used to be great.

 

“And I refuse to live in that reality. I refuse to accept that Brutus Milano is better than me, that he might be a more deserving champion.

 

“So I’ve laid it all on the line, because I know I’m the better man. Brutus, I know you want a little payback for getting slapped upside the head with a guitar, so I know you’re going to say yes to this, son—you and me, best two out of three falls. If I lose, I don’t get another shot at that belt for twelve months. If I win, you have to issue a statement admitting that I am the better man in this and all other realities.”

RATING: 66

 

 

COMING UP AT NYCW PHOENIX RISING

Saturday, Week 1, February 2020

 

Brutus Milano vs. Tennessee William – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship

Riley McManus vs. Richie Riggins

Charlie Corner vs. Vito Pirelli

Crockett Tubbs vs. Quentin Queen

Happy Elwood vs. The New York Doll vs. Tully Casey vs. Ozzie Goldstein

Dominic DeGraff vs. Sal DiMeo

Curtis Shaw vs. Andrew Harper

Geoff Borne vs. Ray Snow

Masked Stranger & The LA Stars vs. Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon

[TheStroke7]

<p>Glad to see this back I am really enjoying your diary so far. </p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Brutus Milano</strong> vs. Tennessee William – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship</p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em>No way you will make Brutus loose now that William is going</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Riley McManus</strong> vs. Richie Riggins</p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em>Riley will take this one.. he is on a roll</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

Charlie Corner vs. <strong>Vito Pirelli</strong></p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em>this may be a squash</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

Crockett Tubbs vs. <strong>Quentin Queen</strong></p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em>No way Quentin will loose at his debut. A win with Tubbs is also a vey powerful statement. I like it.</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

Happy Elwood vs. The New York Doll vs. Tully Casey vs. <strong>Ozzie Goldstein</strong></p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em>NYD and Elwood have their rivalry and Casey is a tag guy. This may be a win for Ozzie. </em></span></p><p> </p><p>

Dominic DeGraff vs. <strong>Sal DiMeo</strong></p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em> I am a really big DiMeo fan, I hope he starts winning and this seems the right opponent.</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

Curtis Shaw vs. <strong>Andrew Harper</strong></p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em> With William out, Harper seems the best choice as the challenger to the Empire title.</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Geoff Borne</strong> vs. Ray Snow</p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em> coin flip here... let's go with the babyface.</em></span></p><p> </p><p>

Masked Stranger & The LA Stars vs. <strong>Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon</strong></p><p>

<span style="font-size:8px;"><em> These match is a candidate to steal the show. I do not see the Boys from the Yukon loosing after a COTT World Tag Team championship win last week.</em></span></p>

[Zergon]

<p><strong>Brutus Milano</strong> vs. Tennessee William – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship</p><p>

<em>If Williams is on his way out then there´sno chance of him getting the belt.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Riley McManus</strong> vs. Richie Riggins</p><p>

<em>McManus is facing Harker who I rate higher than Riggins so Riley wins here, maybe cleanly or maybe with a DQ if Don decides to pay a visit.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Charlie Corner vs. <strong>Vito Pirelli</strong></p><p>

<em>Thinking Vito has more going on</em></p><p> </p><p>

Crockett Tubbs vs. <strong>Quentin Queen</strong></p><p>

<em>Queen has been hyped up quite a lot so doubful he loses here.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Happy Elwood vs. The New York Doll vs. Tully Casey vs. <strong>Ozzie Goldstein</strong></p><p>

<em>Thinking Happy and Doll cancel each other´s out so I´d give this one to Ozzie.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Dominic DeGraff vs. <strong>Sal DiMeo</strong></p><p>

<em>Wondering if I should go 1 - 1 here but I go 2 - 0 for DiMeo´s gang as I see them having more upside currently.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Curtis Shaw vs. <strong>Andrew Harper</strong></p><p>

<em>Shaw is being build up but probably not this much.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Geoff Borne</strong> vs. Ray Snow</p><p>

<em>Neither guy haven´t done that much so far but Borne has that self given time limit storyline going so he´s bit more of a focus in my eyes because of that.</em></p><p> </p><p>

Masked Stranger & The LA Stars vs. <strong>Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon</strong></p><p>

<em>Could see this one going either way but with Boys winning the COTT tag belts I go with them being build up here as well.</em></p>

[1PWfan]

<p>Brutus Milano vs. <strong>Tennessee William</strong> – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship</p><p>

<em>I like two out of three falls matches, and it's a good way to take the belt off Milano without damaging him too badly</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Riley McManus</strong> vs. Richie Riggins</p><p>

<em>Richie's better in '20 than he was in the past but I still don't quite see him as a guy on Riley's level</em></p><p> </p><p>

Charlie Corner vs. <strong>Vito Pirelli</strong></p><p>

<em>I still struggle to remember which member of the DiMeo family's which but they're all higher up on the card than Charlie</em></p><p> </p><p>

Crockett Tubbs vs. <strong>Quentin Queen</strong></p><p>

<em>Quentin's a good multipurpose guy for any indy company- I always use him in RMW games</em></p><p> </p><p>

Happy Elwood vs. The New York Doll vs. Tully Casey vs. <strong>Ozzie Goldstein</strong></p><p>

<em>Ozzie seems like the top guy here, though I wouldn't be surprised if Doll took it</em></p><p> </p><p>

Dominic DeGraff vs. <strong>Sal DiMeo</strong></p><p>

<em>I love Dom DeGraff but Sal's one of the bright young things of RMW- plus, he's kind of a pr*ck when he loses</em></p><p> </p><p>

Curtis Shaw vs. <strong>Andrew Harper</strong></p><p>

<em>I like him more</em></p><p> </p><p>

Geoff Borne vs. <strong>Ray Snow</strong></p><p>

<em>See above</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Masked Stranger & The LA Stars</strong> vs. Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon</p><p>

<em>Hmmm...one of NYCW's best in-ring tag teams and a legit top worker against solid but uninspiring veterans? Yeah, I know which way I'm calling this</em></p>

[misterioso]

<p><strong>Brutus Milano</strong> vs. Tennessee William – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship</p><p>

<em>Tennessee goes out on his back.</em></p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Riley McManus</strong> vs. Richie Riggins</p><p>

Charlie Corner vs. <strong>Vito Pirelli</strong></p><p>

<strong>Crockett Tubbs</strong> vs. Quentin Queen</p><p>

Happy Elwood vs. <strong>The New York Doll</strong> vs. Tully Casey vs. Ozzie Goldstein</p><p>

Dominic DeGraff vs. <strong>Sal DiMeo</strong></p><p>

<strong>Curtis Shaw</strong> vs. Andrew Harper</p><p>

Geoff Borne vs. <strong>Ray Snow</strong></p><p>

Masked Stranger & The LA Stars vs. <strong>Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon</strong></p>

[BHK1978]

<p><strong>Brutus Milano</strong> vs. Tennessee William – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship</p><p> </p><p>

<strong>Riley McManus</strong> vs. Richie Riggins</p><p> </p><p>

Charlie Corner vs. <strong>Vito Pirelli</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Crockett Tubbs vs. <strong>Quentin Queen</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Happy Elwood vs. The New York Doll vs. Tully Casey vs. <strong>Ozzie Goldstein</strong></p><p> </p><p>

I have no clue I am just going by the sound reasoning of everyone else.</p><p> </p><p>

Dominic DeGraff vs. <strong>Sal DiMeo</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Curtis Shaw vs. <strong>Andrew Harper</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Geoff Borne vs. <strong>Ray Snow</strong></p><p> </p><p>

Every time I play NYCW I have no clue what to do with Geoff and like 1PWfan said I just like Ray better.</p><p> </p><p>

Masked Stranger & The LA Stars vs. <strong>Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon</strong></p><p> </p><p>

In my personal game, the LA Stars seem to have become popularity magnets, the pop skyrockets after every show. This has caused me to be a fan of them, but I just cannot see Denny taking the L here.</p>

[MisterRomanini]

Brutus Milano vs. Tennessee William – Two out of Three Falls for the Empire Championship

Riley McManus vs. Richie Riggins

Charlie Corner vs. Vito Pirelli

Crockett Tubbs vs. Quentin Queen

Happy Elwood vs. The New York Doll vs. Tully Casey vs. Ozzie Goldstein

Dominic DeGraff vs. Sal DiMeo

Curtis Shaw vs. Andrew Harper

Geoff Borne vs. Ray Snow

Masked Stranger & The LA Stars vs. Denny King & The Boys from the Yukon

[arwink]

<p></p><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:24px;">NYCW PHOENIX RISING</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"> </span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">Saturday, Week 1, February</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> Bradford Arena, NY – 443 people</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="51697" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="WKvuNBg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WKvuNBg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Charlie Corner’s face is in close-up as records himself pulling up to Bradford Arena ahead of the show. “What up, YouTube! This is your boy, Charlie Corner, and his tag-team partner, Big Dom DeGraff—”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="R2qPaJY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/R2qPaJY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The camera turns to take in DeGraff in the passenger seat, is nose buried in a battered copy of </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>Alice in Wonderland</em></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">. “Yo,” he says, not bothering to look up.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “—and right now we’re pulling in to Bradford Arena is scenic Brooklyn, because Larry Vessey suggested we might actually… hey, Dom. Yo. What’s going on over there.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="33XbxuM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33XbxuM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PuYud4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PuYud4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6mmsx1q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6mmsx1q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DmpvoZD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DmpvoZD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The car comes to a halt and Corner turns the camera towards the Arena, where Sal DiMeo and his family are clustered around the door. Corner keeps the camera rolling as he and DeGraff approach the doorway, catching Sal’s orders as he informs the Family that he doesn’t want Brooklyn’s Finest to make into the building tonight--they're the reason the DiMeo's have been on a losing streak and he wants them gone.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Machine Gun and the Italian American’s go to hassle DeGraff and Corner, but Big Sal calls them off. “He’s cool, boys. I owe his uncle a favour.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> DiMeo’s orders come to a halt as he realises DeGraff hasn’t budged.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You got a problem, kid?”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Yeah, I got a problem.” DeGraff looks over the whole DiMeo family. “Frankly, the four of you are embarrassing to me. Ever since I got into this business, folks have asked me to dress up and talk like I’m an extra in a Scorsese flick. Nobody wanted to hire me for my skills--they want me to play gangster to boost the ticket sales, sell a little extra merch.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “And frankly, it’s guys like you who put me in that situation. I got a Master’s degree in literature, Sal. I know what a cliché looks like, and I’ve got no desire to denigrate myself or my family by pretending I’m something I’m not, when I should be going out there and showing the fans I’m one hell of a wrestler. How about you stop pretending to be a mafia boss long enough to actually show people you’re a wrestler, and let Calhoun and Eagle do the same.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> DiMeo comes in close, standing nose-to-nose with DeGraff. “You ought to watch your mouth, boy. I don’t owe you uncle that much.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I don’t have an uncle you owe a damn thing to,” DeGraff says. “So how about we call this what it is, and acknowledge you don’t really want to pick a fight with a young stud like me?”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “The day I’m afraid of fighting you, boy, is the day I deserved to get taken out and a new boss steps into my shoes. But since you’re so fond of doing things in the ring, how about—”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “You’re on,” DeGraff says. Then, seeing DiMeo's hesitation: “You were going to challenge me, right?”</div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 28</strong></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>BACKSTAGE PROMO</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="LKXGe2D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LKXGe2D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Geoff Borne sits backstage, taping up his wrists. “Three weeks ago I set myself a goal and a deadline,” he says. “Twelve months, one COTT title shot. By any means necessary. If I fail, I walk away from this business because no matter how much I love wrestling, it doesn’t love me back.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “So far, so good. But tonight… Look, Ray Snow is the dangerous striker in New York City Wrestling. He’s got heavy hands and a knockout backfist strike. He’s tough. He’s </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>good</em></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;">. He’s got size and power I don’t. In short, he’s exactly the kind of guy a man like me wants to be defeating if he’s got a title shot in his sights.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Personally, I hope he brings his A-game. I hope we go out there, and he delivers the kind of fight that means I’ve gotta be at the top of my game to stand a hope in hell of winning. Because for the next twelve months, that’s gotta be where I live—on the edge, pushing myself, taking the hardest fights I can.” </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 21</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>BACKSTAGE PROMO</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="VodgZhH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VodgZhH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="rzPKEyR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rzPKEyR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="0htwukW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0htwukW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Y5XBu0o.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Y5XBu0o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Andrew Harper is in the locker rooms with Riggins and Don. “Riley McManus, you may think you’ve got it easy now I can’t touch you, but the run to King of New York isn’t going to be as easy as you think. Tonight, you’re going to fight Richie Riggins, one-on-one, and it’s going to be one of the hardest fights of your life.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “As for me, it seems my buddy Don has been having a little trouble of his own lately.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Don stops eating a leg of turkey long enough to take the mic. “Shaw, tonight you’re going through a table. Count on it.” </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 35</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p></div></blockquote><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="pASVuhV.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pASVuhV.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ZlU1f12.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZlU1f12.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="n7UM07s.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/n7UM07s.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs.</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="vbAZaj2.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/vbAZaj2.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="JA7LKaR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/JA7LKaR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="e4B48k0.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/e4B48k0.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> MASKED STRANGER & THE LA STARS vs. DENNY KING & THE BOYS FROM THE YUKON</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> A six-man with championship implications, given that the pinfall could shoot Stranger or the Stars into contention for the tag-team or tri-state belts. King and the Boys fight accordingly, willingly sacrificing one-another in an attempt to avoid a new challenger, and the faces take advantage.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The real excitement in the match revolves around Stranger’s attempts to take down Denny King, and the masked man wrestles with a passion as he tries to beat the Tri-State champ. In the end, however, King avoids taking the loss by sacrificing his partners, walking away when it becomes clear he’s not able to win. The numbers game puts the Boys at the disadvantage, and it’s Whitehorse Whittaker who eventually taps out to the Cobra Clutch just fourteen days after claiming COTT’s top tag-team prize. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Masked Stranger and The LA Stars defeated Denny King and The Boys From The Yukon in 14:04 when Masked Stranger submitted Whitehorse Whittaker. RATING: 35</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="51697" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="WKvuNBg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WKvuNBg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Charlie Corner’s face fills the screen. “Yo! Yo! Check this out!”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="w7nLzLS.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/w7nLzLS.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="ZSv2yjc.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/ZSv2yjc.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="6PuYud4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PuYud4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6mmsx1q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6mmsx1q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DmpvoZD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DmpvoZD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> He turns the camera, and it shows the exterior of the Bradford Arena, where the Italian Americans and Machine Gun Marino are standing guard as Brooklyn’s Finest are approaching the building. “Big Dom asked me to keep watch and make sure these goomba’s don’t get involved in his match,” Corner whispers, “but it looks like s—t’s getting real a little early.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Eagle goes to open the door, and Luca Sacramoni moves to block him. Eagle goes to move around, and Pirelli gets in his face. The two masked men back up a step and stare at the Italian Americans, but the attempt to scramble past that follows sees Eagle and Calhoun thrown down the steps. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Walk away,” Machine Gun Marino warns them. “You ain’t wrestling tonight.”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Calhoun and Eagle attempt to rebut that with violence, but they’re quickly beaten down and thrown down the steps a second time. </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 31</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="LKXGe2D.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/LKXGe2D.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="8HmfZIh.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/8HmfZIh.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> GEOFF BORNE vs. RAY SNOW</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Borne has traditionally been a smiling, cheerful babyface who settles into the underdog role. That’s gone here—replaced by a no-nonsense focus that’s fixed on a future World Title shot. It’s coupled with a more grounded style, with every attempt to go high risk carefully considered and deployed to have maximum impact.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Ray Snow meets Borne’s new approach in kind, turning this match into something of a chess match. Nothing really rattles “Ice Cold,” even the dire run of form he’s been on in late. Ernie Turner admires Snow’s focus and commitment to working a game plan, but notes that sooner or later you have to acknowledge something isn’t working and mix thigs up a little.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> It seems he may be right given Borne catches Snow with the Borne Again and picks up the win. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Geoff Borne defeated Ray Snow in 11:49 by pinfall. RATING: 33</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="Z8oIRbJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Z8oIRbJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="VodgZhH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VodgZhH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> w/</strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="Y5XBu0o.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Y5XBu0o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> CURTIS SHAW vs. ANDREW HARPER w/ Devastating Don</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Harper surprises everyone when Devasting Don comes out to work as his second, and Shaw spends several long moments staring down the Immovable Object of NYCW. He pays for almost instantly, as Harper launches an assault right as the bell is ringing, and quickly takes control with a surprise beatdown. Soon Shaw is fighting back, and the dynamic of the match is clear: two tough-as nails brawlers attempt to beat the stuffing out of one-another, while Don plays heater at ringside.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> This is a war—and a war designed to get Shaw over as a legitimate tough guy on the babyface side of card. Harper gets to play to his strengths here, wearing Shaw down with sleepers and attacks on the floor, and Shaw’s comebacks are frequently cut off by Don’s interference. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Eventually, a frustrated Shaw nails Don with a yakuza kick that sends the big man tumbling over the guard rail, opening up a short period where Shaw can take control of the match and build up some momentum. The crowd pops as the big man bounces Andrew Harper around the ring, eager to see Shaw pick up the win…but a trip from a recovered Don sends Shaw stumbling into a Spike Slam from Harper to pick up the win. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Andrew Harper defeated Curtis Shaw in 19:58 by pinfall. RATING: 28</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>POST-MATCH BEATDOWN</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="VodgZhH.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/VodgZhH.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Y5XBu0o.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Y5XBu0o.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Z8oIRbJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Z8oIRbJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Devastating Don climbs into the rang and sits on Curtis Shaw, taunting him with a barrage of “You think you can throw me? You think you can suplex me? Brother, you can’t even breathe right now. How you going to do a damn thing if I do this to you in a match?”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Meanwhile, Andrew Harper sets up a table. Everyone is prepared for the powerslam through the table, but Harper and Don drag Shaw over and set him up on the tabletop.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Which is when Devastating Don climbs the turnbuckles. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> He’s surprisingly graceful for a man who weighs over four hundred pounds, but he gives everyone plenty of time to think about the impact he’ll have when he lands the ringshaker legdrop through a table.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Then he delivers on that. </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 31</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="R2qPaJY.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/R2qPaJY.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="33XbxuM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33XbxuM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> DOMINIC DeGRAFF vs. Sal DiMEO</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The initial collar-and-elbow is furious in its intensity, DeGraff locking his grip and dragging DiMeo down, establishing his power. DiMeo eventually retreats to a corner, forcing the break, and DeGraff moves on to punishing him with forearm shots to the chest.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> DiMeo responds by taking the match to the floor and softening DeGraff up by throwing him into the guard rails a few times. DeGraff falls to the concrete and DiMeo proceeds to unleash the stops, only to end up in the guard rails himself when he pulls Big Dom up for a fresh round of Irish Whips.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> DeGraff drapes DiMeo over the guard rails and unleashes a series of big chops, then rolls him back into the ring for a trio of suplexes. DeGraff fires up and goes for a roaring elbow, but DiMeo ducks it and takes control, taking his opponent apart with clubbing blows, headbutts, and strategically times kicks to the groin. It’s pretty clear that DiMeo isn’t interested in a wrestling match—he’s here to inflict pain in a fight—and it’s equally clear that DeGraff is too proud to back down. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="6mmsx1q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6mmsx1q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> They go back-and-forth in a furious brawl that ultimately ends when Vito Pirelli interferes while the ref is distracted, smacking DeGraff across the back of a skull with a chair. DiMeo quickly capitalises with the big powerbomb to ed things. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Sal DiMeo defeated Dominic DeGraff in 15:08 by pinfall with a Powerbomb. RESULT: 31</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">FOUR CORNER SURVIVAL</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="cMOrxXm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/cMOrxXm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="e5l8ECk.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/e5l8ECk.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="0M1oWnC.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0M1oWnC.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="R8Eqvz8.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/R8Eqvz8.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> HAPPY ELWOOD vs. THE NEW YORK DOLL vs. TULLY CASEY vs. OZZIE GOLDSTEIN</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The match starts with a game of tag roulette, with Elwood tagging in to get at Doll and Doll tagging out to avoid him. They combinations switch back and forth about six times before Tully Casey gets frustrated and blitzes Doll, throwing forearm strikes and taking the skinny punk to the mat with a roll-up. Elwood promptly jumps in to break up the pinfall, and the match kicks into high gear. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Doll uses full advantage of the Four Corner Survival rules to torture Elwood, launching surprise attacks and grinding Happy down with an array of stomach claws, boot scrapes, and stomps to the fingers. Elwood fires back, but every time he succeeds in making a cover on Doll, Ozzie or Tully break the count.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> There’s a late rally where Tully Casey goes on a hot streak, throwing all three of his opponents around with suplexes as the match breaks down. This leads into the chain of finishers that marks the closing minutes, Casey getting laid out by a Punk’Nasty, only for Doll to be laid out by a Happy Elwood superkick. Goldstein lays Elwood out with a Golden Shower, but Casey breaks it up. The young rookie attempts to take Goldstein down, but a second Golden Shower puts him down for the count and delivers the pinfall to Goldstein. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Ozzie Goldstein defeated The New York Doll, Happy Elwood and Tully Casey in 10:35 when Ozzie Goldstein pinned Tully Casey. RATING: 37</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>IN-RING PROMO</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="M4BW9dX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M4BW9dX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="Lal1Plj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Lal1Plj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pN3L3n9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pN3L3n9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Phil Vibert shoulders his way through the curtain, leading Super Massive Destroyer and Quentin Queen down to the ring. He grabs the mic and addresses the fans. “Ladies and Gentlemen, my name is Phil vibert, and I am the advocate for the future of professional wrestling, Quentin Queen. Tonight, I bring you good news: my client and Larry Vessey of New York City Wrestling have come to turns and finalized a contract for Quentin Queen to wrestle here in Bradford Arena.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Now you might think this means you’ll finally see Quentin Queen wrestle Animal Harker…but once again, Mister Harker has elected to renege on his commitments to this company and wrestle over in Japan tonight. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Harker may have prevented my client from walking away with the winner’s purse tonight, but make no mistake—it’s all of you who are being robbed tonight. Instead of seeing a wrestler at the top of his game step between these ropes—”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Crockett Tubbs steps through the curtain and interrupts Vibert’s tirade. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="3rGhktv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3rGhktv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Phil, Quentin, big man,” he says, nodding at them all by turn. “You may not be wrestling Harker tonight, but now that you’ve signed a contract, you better bet your ass that you’ll be wrestling. I talked to Mister Vessey, and he agreed tonight’d be the perfect time to start earning a little return on the investment he made in bringing Quentin Queen to NYCW.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “Quentin, boyo, after listening to your advocate run his mouth for the last few weeks, I’m thinking I’d like to be getting your measure in the ring. Fortunately, Mister Vessey agrees…and he made the match official just two minutes ago. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “So I’m thinking the rest of you need to clear your asses out of the ring, because that match is happening right now.” </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 42</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="3rGhktv.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/3rGhktv.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="Lal1Plj.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/Lal1Plj.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> w/</strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="M4BW9dX.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/M4BW9dX.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="pN3L3n9.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/pN3L3n9.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> CROCKET TUBBS vs. QUENTIN QUEEN w/Phil Vibert & Super Massive Destroyer</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Tubbs locks up with confidence here, showing Queen respect but obviously not buying into the hype about the young prospect. He even holds the early advantage, coming out ahead of the opening exchanges and having Queen’s first cheap-shot well scouted.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> But Queen soon catches Tubbs by surprise with a bulldog and proceeds to take control of the bout. Vibert’s protégé showcases the skills he learned at the TCW Academy, grounding and grappling with an extensive focus on the neck and upper chest. Tubbs rallies, but the presence of Vibert and Super Massive Destroyer on the outside is a constant source of distraction. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Ultimately, this proves decisive—Vibert provides the distraction as Destroyer blitzes Tubbs from behind, setting Queen up for the win using the Q-Ball (Pancake Faceslam).</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Quentin Queen defeated Crockett Tubbs in 8:08. RATING: 37</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><blockquote data-ipsquote="" class="ipsQuote" data-ipsquote-contentapp="forums" data-ipsquote-contenttype="forums" data-ipsquote-contentid="51697" data-ipsquote-contentclass="forums_Topic"><div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>YOUTUBE LIVESTREAM</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="WKvuNBg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WKvuNBg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “What up, Youtube,” Charlie Corner whispers. “I know Big Don’s had his match by now, and I don’t need to be here watching, but there’s something going down right now I figured you’d like to see…”</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="33XbxuM.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/33XbxuM.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6PuYud4.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6PuYud4.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="6mmsx1q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6mmsx1q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><img alt="DmpvoZD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/DmpvoZD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> He turns the camera to the gathered members of the DiMeo family on the ring, a sweaty Sal checking in with his flunkies, arguing with passion and sharp hand movements. He’s building up to a core point that we can’t quite hear when Vito Pirelli spots Corner and the Camera, pointing it out to the rest of the crew.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Big Sal issues the orders and the Italian Americans break off from the group and close on Corner as the livefeed goes dead… </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 33</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div></blockquote><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="WKvuNBg.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/WKvuNBg.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="6mmsx1q.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/6mmsx1q.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> CHARLIE CORNER vs. VITO PIRELLI</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The match starts with Vito Pirelli dragging a battered Charlie Corner to the ring by his hair. The big man sets the kid up on one side of the ring and intimidates the referee into ringing the bell.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> It’s meant to be easy—Pirelli grabs Corner and sets him up for a shoulder breaker that could well break the younger man’s arm—but Corner blocks the move and begins a weary underdog come-back against the larger man. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The whole match revolves around Pirelli’s frustration and Corner’s unexpected ability to keep this alive, but it’s still short and sweet and ultimately ends with Pirelli hitting the Shoulder Breaker to pick up the three. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Vito Pirelli defeated Charlie Corner in 5:43 by pinfall. RATING: 21</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="hHzWwFD.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/hHzWwFD.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> w/</strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="gRbxKpm.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/gRbxKpm.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="rzPKEyR.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/rzPKEyR.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> w/ </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="0htwukW.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/0htwukW.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> RILEY McMANUS w/Fern Hathaway vs. RICHIE RIGGINS w/Cheerleader Nicki</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Strategically, this match is one of the most pivotal matches on the card because it’s got to do some heavy lifting and establish Richie Riggins as a guy who can </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>go</em></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> with some of our top guys. And so we give them twenty minutes and three simple instructions: make it close, put McManus over, and </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>get</em></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Riggins over along the way. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> They start this one off slow and measured, with McManus testing defences and Riggins proving more than adequate to repelling each advance. This leads to a certain amount of strutting from Riggins, and McManus taking a more defences approach to see what Riggins can do, and here the two men prove to be relative even. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The next series of exchanges ups the brutality a little. McManus starts throwing elbows at Riggins’ face, expecting the pretty-boy to flinch, and Riggins ultimately uses that to lure McManus into a trap: he flinches away and breaks holds three times, setting up a precedent, then eats the strike on the forth attempt and uses it to get in close and drop McManus with a Urunagi Slam. McManus kicks out, but he’s also on the ground when Riggins starts unleashing stiff kicks and stomps.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> The rest of the match is basically a war, with both man battering the hell out of each other using strikes and holds. McManus keeps taking control of the bout, but every time Riggins—and, occasionally, the helping hand of Nicki—wrest the advantage away through dirty tactics. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Despite his best efforts, Riggins can’t quite put McManus away, and ultimately falls prey to the Slingshot Suplex. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Riley McManus defeated Richie Riggins in 19:53 by pinfall with a Slingshot Suplex. RATING: 40</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>PRE-MATCH PROMO</strong></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="s3dOi1h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/s3dOi1h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Tennessee William heads down to the ring before our main event, and cuts a promo about his decisions to put it all on the line for this last shot at the Empire Championship belt because he wanted to shut up everyone who truly believes Milano is the better wrestler. Tonight they go two-out-of-three falls, and William can’t challenge for the title again if he’s on the losing end. It’s a risk, but one that William feels confident taking. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> “I believe in going big or going home,” he says “And tonight’s going to be the biggest match of Brutus Milano’s career, the match that defines him as a wrestler and underlines the fact that despite his size and despite his power, he’ll only ever be the </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><em>second</em></div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> best wrestler to step into a NYCW ring.” </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 63</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">TWO OUT OF THREE FALLS</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;"> NYCW EMPIRE CHAMPIONSHIP</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="G0VNJIx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/G0VNJIx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> vs. </strong></div></div></div></div></div><img alt="s3dOi1h.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/s3dOi1h.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> BRUTUS MILANO vs. TENNESSEE WILLIAM</strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> This match starts with a long stare down, both men doing their best to intimidate the other. From there they move into a series of lock-ups and reversals, with Milano’s strength giving him control of the pace despite William’s best attempts. There’s some discussion about whether this is a smart plan for William, but Ernie Turner points out that the smaller man has the cardio advantage here, and pushing the pace early may well pay off down the line.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Sure enough, the match spills outside not long after Milano’s breathing gets noticeably ragged, and from there William takes control. He thwarts every attempt Milano makes to take control, and stalls the big man’s momentums with European Uppercuts, headlocks, and the occasional trip into the guard rails. Soon, Wiliam has the space he needs to smack Milano across the head with a guitar…</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> …but when he rolls Milano into the ring again, the champ is ready, snatching a small package out of nowhere and securing three-count on the overconfident William. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Tennessee William is both astonished and appalled, even as the fans celebrate him being behind. He goads Milano into charging and drops the champ face-first into a turnbuckle, allowing Tennessee to take control of the pace. He locks in a sleeper and chokes Milano out, quickly transitions into a powerbomb as it becomes clear that Milano isn’t ready to quit yet. The next phase of the match revolves around small bursts of offense that all feed back into another Sleeper hold. Willian grinds the champ down, exhausts him, and cinches the hold in tight. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> At one point it seems like he might even up the score in the match, clamping down so hard that Milano is actually on his knees and grasping for air, but the big man rallys and throws William free. The come-back that follows is fiery as hell, full of big shoulder blocks and elbows that pops the crowd every time, He beats William down again and again, working the lower back with stops and Boston crabs, and ultimately picks up the second fall courtesy of William tapping out after getting caught by an Italian Backbreaker. </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>Brutus Milano defeated Tennessee William in 21:26 by two straight falls, with the final fall happening by submission. RATING: 45</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="NgP2R0J.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/NgP2R0J.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>POST-MATCH ATTACK</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><img alt="dwCyEEJ.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/dwCyEEJ.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> There’s a rumble as PSW’s Ernest Youngman strides trough the curtain wearing aviators and a long black coat. He climbs into the ring and stands toe-to-toe with Brutus Milano, casually chewing a toothpick as he takes in the champ, the title, and the fallen Williams on the canvas.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="G0VNJIx.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/G0VNJIx.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /></div><p></p><p></p><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Milano holds his title high, making a statement.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> And Youngman deftly takes the fight too him, slides in behind, and takes the bigger man down with a snap dragon suplex.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> There's a colloctive intake of breath, but the suplex is just softening the champion up for the THE HIT! – a charging knee strike that echoes as it makes contact with Milano’s jaw and lays the champ low.</div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> Ernest Youngman stands over Milano, mimes two shots from a pistol, and then turns and walks out of the arena as the show ends... </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong>RATING: 44</strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align:center;"><img alt="KW30ZUN.jpg" data-src="https://i.imgur.com/KW30ZUN.jpg" src="<___base_url___>/applications/core/interface/js/spacer.png" /><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"> </div></div></div></div></div><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong><span style="font-family:Impact;"><span style="font-size:18px;">SHOW RATING: 45</span></span></strong></div></div></div></div></div><p></p><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><div style="margin-left:25px;"><strong> </strong></div></div></div></div></div></div><p></p>

[Historian]

Great show, but it looks like you used one of the Casey brothers portraits instead of Crockett Tubbs in the singles match -- but even with that the show was excellent.

[arwink]

THE VIEW FROM BACKSTAGE

 

And so we begin the process of resetting the company in the wake of Tennessee’s departure. For all that I elected to bring in Youngman and take the consequences of attaching one of Mitch’s stars to the company, the real focus of this show was all about setting up options.

 

Harper and Riggins will bolster one-another as a stable, especially with Don moving into the role of heater for the pairing; Goldstein gets a win; Riggins gets a strong showing; Queen makes his in-ring debut and shows enough to suggest he’s a prospect worth pushing. Even some of the long-shots, like Snow and DiMeo, get a little structure around their recent losses.

 

Meanwhile, the future standard bearers on the babyface side get some big wins. Masked Stranger submits one of the newly-crowned tag-team champions, and McManus continues his march towards supplanting Milano as our top babyface.

 

Ironically, right as Milano starts making a case for keeping the spot by upping his game and working on his cardio.

 

It’s nice to have options, even if none of them aren’t great.

 

Crocket Tubbs proved to be the best possible opponent for Quentin Queen’s in-ring debut—the pair have a natural, easy chemistry that allows them both to shine. I can see myself returning to this match-up and giving them both time, and it’s a reminder that Tubbs could probably do with a program to bolster his status within the company.

 

Meanwhile, Ernest Youngman definitely impressed with the handful of things we asked of him in the debut. I called him out specifically in my post-show speeches, alongside Brutus--who stepped up as champ tonight. I also offered my thanks to Sal DiMeo—he’s taken a series of losses for his stable rather well, content to give us the time we needed to move them all back into a position of prominence.

 

Andrew Harper is on the injured list after tonight’s match, heading to the infirmary with a strained bicep. Nothing serious enough to keep him out for long, but he was furious with Curtis Shaw for causing the injury with a mistimed armdrag.

 

Tennessee William may be heading out of the company real soon, but he’s recently started dating Cheerleader Nicki and the couple went public with it after some of the boys asked about their recent flirting on Twitter. Assuming things work out for the young pair, it could be a potential perk if we get the chance to coax William back in a few month’s time.

 

Another three-way tie on the forum predictions this month, with TheStroke7, Zergon, and 1PWFan all sharing a fresh-from-the-screenprinter King of New York 2020 t-shirt as we start the countdown to the tent-pole show of the season.