TB: Ladies and Gentlemen welcome! The Last Man Standing tournament begins tonight, something we've all been waiting for with great anticipation! With me as always is Keith Kincaid. Keith?
KK: Thats right folks you heard it right. The greatest tournament in professional wrestling is back! It's a little different from normal, what with the group stages this year, but this should only make things more interesting as we head to the Pay Per View at the end of November.
TB: Several wrestlers missed their flights tonight. Apparently there has been a lot of disruption due to the hurricane that has recently been battering the United States. We'll keep you informed as to their status when we hear more.
TB: Well we have Kristin Thomas backstage with Kevin Conner, lets get back there.
Kristin Thomas: "Thanks Trent, I'm standing next to the HWA International Champion, "The Celtic Warrior" Kevin Conner. And Kevin, I just have to ask you, what do you think about your chance in the Last Man Standing tournament?"
Kevin Conner: "My chances? My chances are great! I know you usually do the question asking but let me give it a shot. Kristin, have I ever submitted here in the HWA?"
Kristin Thomas: "Well, no..."
Kevin Conner: "Have i ever been pinned here in the new HWA?"
Kristin Thomas: "No, you haven't Kevin."
Kevin Conner: "Am I the best damn HWA International Champion to ever grace the HWA?"
Kristin Thomas: "One of, yes."
Kevin Conner: "EHH! WRONG! The answer is yes you are. Now finally let me ask you this, how can you beat the unbeatable?"
Kristin Thomas: "I don't know, how?"
Kevin Conner: "The unbeatable doesn't have to know the answer, that's a question that you shoudl ask to whomever steps in the ring with me."
Kristin Thomas: "Very cocky Kevin, good luck against Dylan Wolfe tonight."
Kevin Conner: "SEe Krs, can I call ya Kris? I'm in group three! Now I'm a two time HWA World Heavyweight Champion, and when I win the Last Man Standing tournament, Syren will finally get a decent match, and lose. Kirs, you are looking at the HWA International Champion, the 2005 HWA Last Man Standing Champion, and the next HWA World Heavyweight Champion, and I got one more question, do you know why?"
Kristin Thomas: "Uh..."
Kevin Conner: "Because THAT'S JUST THE WAY I AM!"
Conner walks awy shinning his HWA International Title and smiling and Kristin stands there and we go back to ringside.
KK: It should be noted that the only reason Anderson is competing is because Jackson had TCO put him in the tournament after stripping him of his commisionership.
"Step Up" by Drowning Pool hits and the crowd go wild as Anderson appears at the top of the ramp. He makes his way down to ringside with a confident air about him.
KK: Remains to be seen what sort of shape Anderson is in.
TB: Thats a fair point Keith, he spends more time in his casino now than the gym, which could take its toll.
Fudge's music hits and the crowd go crazy once more. Fudge leaps over the top rope and immediately shakes Anderson's hand which the crowd like a lot.
The bell rings and we're underway. Both men circle each other for a few moments before the inital lock up. Anderson gets the early advantage and overpowers the smaller Fudge. Anderson comes into the corner, and fires a couple of forearms at Fudge. Fudge ducks the first but takes the second. He quickly recovers though, jumping backwards onto the turnbuckles. Fudge attempts a tornado DDT on Anderson, but instead, Anderson bodyslams Fudge back down.
KK: Wow, looks like Anderson has barely lost a step...
Fudge is equally impressed with how Anderson has stayed in shape, even if he doesn't stick around long enough to wait for another high impact move from Anderson. He rolls out of the ring to the outside. Anderson sees this and hits Fudge with a baseball slide from inside the ring to out, sending Fudge careering into the announce table. Just as Anderson tries to grab Fudge, Fudge grabs a nearby chair and lands it on the face of Anderson.
TB: Welcome back to life as a regular wrestler Anderson!
Anderson staggers for a few steps, and Fudge takes advantage - landing an Inzeguri kick to the back of Anderson's head. Anderson drops down like a drunk man. Fudge lifts up Anderson and rolls him into the ring. As Anderson is getting back to his knees, Fudge leaps to the top rope, and uses it to perform a springboard moonsault.
TB: Wow! Look at how graceful Fudge performs that!
Unfortunately though, Anderon caught Fudge. Anderson goes for the sidewalk slam but Fudge is too quick and reverses it into a cradle: 1-2-kickout by Anderson.
KK: Almost the end for Anderson there!
Anderson is frustrated and slaps that mat. Fudge just looks at him and shrugs. Anderson gets to his feet once more, and goes immediately for the Attitude Adjuster, Fudge escapes once more and hits Anderson with a reverse backbreaker. Anderson audibly groans under the pressure. Fudge leaps to the top turnbuckle, hits a 450 splash, and the referee counts 1-2-3. It's over.
TB: Great match, Anderson put up a good solid showing, but with him being out of the ring for so long his conditioning just wasn't as good as Fudge's.
KK: Thats right. Fudge was just way quicker than Anderson, but what a great return match for Anderson.
The scene fades in on Jackson's office as TCO walks in, obviously reluctant to go and speak to the man who's holding more then just TCO's career in his hands.
Jackson: Ahh, TCO! I hope you had an eventful week.
TCO: I think you know the type of week I had. And you know what I want.
Jackson: I do. And tonight... you'll earn it.
TB: What does this mean do you think Keith?
KK: Who knows, but it can't be good. Not at all.
KK: Well done Kevin! He didn't even break a sweat!
KK: Yes thats all well and good, but this is Danny Starr we're talking about. No offence to Brooklyn, but he's not in Starr's league.
TB: Well thats your opinion Keith and you're entitled to it. I think Brooklyn could well have a few surprises for Starr.
'Reggaeton Latino'remix by Don Omar hits and the crowd pop for the returning Brooklyn. Brooklyn poses at the top of the ramp, then makes his way down to the ring, slapping hands with a few fans. Next, FixXxer by "Metallica" hits and again the place goes crazy as Danny Starr makes his way to the ring.
KK: The HWA faithful finally seem to have taken Danny Starr to heart, especially after how Crash and Burn finished between him and Diamond.
TB: Yeah, so much manipulating being done... but neither to each other!
Danny and Brooklyn shake hands. They then circle the ring. Brooklyn charges in first and attempts a side russian leg sweep on Starr. Starr looks down, and punches Brooklyn in the face instead.
KK: Well thats ONE way of countering it!
Brooklyn clutches his face while Danny springs off the rope and lands an elbow.
KK: I thought Brooklyn was supposed to be his friend!
TB: Like Starr said in a promo this week, if this is what he does to his friends, imagine what he can do to his enemies...
Brooklyn recovers, and trips Danny up, before putting him in the step over crossface. Danny roars with pain as he inches his way over to the ropes. He does eventually make it though and Brooklyn releases the hold. Shaking his neck back into the right position Danny attempts a clothesline on Brooklyn. Brooklyn ducks, then does a round-house sweep. Danny jumps to avoid it, but simultaneously landing a drop kick on Brooklyn. Brooklyn turns the momentum into a cartwheel, and both men land on their feet in opposite corners of the ring. The crowd stand and applaud this exchange of moves.
TB: WOW! This stuff is GREAT!
KK: You're not wrong, I never knew Brooklyn could match Starr move for move but by God he most certainly IS doing!
TB: They've got some terrific chemistry going here.
After another handshake the match is back on. Another exchange of moves and the crowd is cheering both men on even further. Danny attempts a crucifix pin on Brooklyn, but Brooklyn slides out of it. Danny then grabs the ankle of Brooklyn and slams on the ankle lock. Brooklyn's face is red with pain as he now tries to reach the ring ropes. Just when Brooklyn is about to reach the ropes, Danny pulls him back to the centre of the ring.
TB: Good Lord, the gloves are off now. I really don't think Starr would stop at breaking Brooklyn's ankle here.
KK: This is Last Man Standing we're talking about though here Trent, the stakes are raised! Not to mention, Danny Starr has a near obsession with this tournament.
Brooklyn seems about to pass out, his eyes are closed. Danny releases the hold, but Brooklyn doesn't move. To further prove his point, Danny hits the Pride of Hartford, and makes the pin 1-2-3 and Starr picks up the win.
TB: Another great match there Keith.
KK: Yeah, I think everyone is raising their game for LMS!
KK: Not the way he would have wanted it i'm sure.
TB: True, but it's impossible to have a match by yourself!
KK: Too right. Biggz is not deserving of a shot in my opinion.
TB: He's too busy being the 'face' of the HWA!
Sweet Dreams hits and Syren walks out, the HWA World Championship draped over one shoulder. Syren winks at someone in the audience, before grinning and walking to the ring. Upon entering the ring, she climbs to the top of a turnbuckle, lifting the title up in both hands. The crowd roar their approval until "Closer" by Nine Inch Nails hits and Bigg Money appears at the top of the ramp.
KK: Ah, there he is, the HWA's self styled bad boy.
TB: Not so stylish without his front teeth there I see.
KK: Nope. It will be interesting to see how Biggz fairs against the world champion!
TB: No doubt it'll be a tough match for him.
KK: Biggz actually released himself from hospital to make this match. He was actually in a road traffic accident earlier in the week.
TB: Allegedly.
Biggz steps into the ring and immediately knocks Syren to her feet. He goes for a pin without hesitation, cockily counting along with the pin. Syren kicks out at 2 and Biggz acts like he can't believe it. His shocked look is even bigger when she knocks him off his feet with a super kick to the chin.
KK: Syren just introduced Biggz to her right foot!
TB: No kidding.
Biggz returns and tries to lift Syren for a sidewalk slam. Instead, she swings her legs up and sends him flying into the turnbuckle curtesy of a hurricanrana. The crowd love it as Biggz hits the turnbuckle hard and slumps down on the floor.
Next, Syren drags Biggz to the centre of the ring, face down. She then grabs his neck in the crook of her elbow, and Biggz feels the pressure of the cobra clutch.
TB: Wow, Syren putting on some sort of display here.
The camera zooms in on Biggz' face and his mouth is agape, trying to breathe.
KK: Look at his face! What a mess! Nate Hartman really left his mark on Biggz...
Suddenly, the lights go out.
KK: Is it time for the old gag about someone forgetting to pay the electricity bill?
TB: No. I'm bored of that now...
The lights come back on and there is a third person in the ring.
TB: Who the hell is that?
The guy is about 210 and 5'8.
KK: I know this guy, I've seen him before from the Indy curcuit.
The guy grabs Biggz and The Tigereye (RKO) on him.
KK: Yes, thats Tiger Knight, and he just hit the Tigereye on Biggz!
Tiger Knight raises his fists in the air before leaping out of the ring and landing perfectly balanced, then making his way up the ramp.
TB: Wow, some athlete!
Back in the ring, Syren hits the breakdown on an already weak and defeated Bigg Money. Syren makes the cover, 1-2-3.
TB: An easy win for Syren, especially after Tiger Knight intererfered.
KK: Is Knight under contract with the HWA? I've not heard anything about him signing.
TB: I guess we'll have to wait and see.
Syren raises the title above her head once more when "Purple Haze" by Jimi Hendrix hits and the crowd groan. David Jackson and The Chosen One appear at the top of the rampway. Jackson doesn't have a mike but can still be heard screaming at TCO to attack Syren. TCO runs to the ring, entering it and knocking Syren off her feet. Syren is quick though and gets back to her feet ready to retaliate. Unfortunately for her, TCO now has a chair which Jackson threw in. TCO takes her down with a chair shot. The crowd boo and start to throw trash into the ring. TCO stands above her again with a chair, but he is distracted when Anderson and Sett run down to ringside, full speed. TCO bails out of the ring and through the crowd. At the top of the ramp David Jackson can be seen smiling and laughing before he heads to the back.
KK: Probably because TCO is Jackson's "chosen one", as it were!
TB: Ha, I see what you did there!
"Point of No Return" by Immortal Technique hits and the first of the three letter initialled superstars appears. Nate Hartman gets a great reception from the fans. He taps his fist to his chest a couple of times before saluting his faithful crowd.
Next, "Stand up" by Trapt hits and The Chosen One appears at the top of the ramp. We are shown a clip of David Jackson watching intently from a backstage monitor. TCO raises his arms, but the crowd give him only a mixed reaction.
TB: TCO not getting the love he must be used to Keith.
KK: Well, it's his own doing.
TCO gets into the ring and stares a hole right through Nate Hartman.
TB: Nate Hartman is relishing this challenge if I know him at all.
KK: After a LONG time out of the ring I bet TCO is too!
TCO walks up to Hartman and slaps him hard. The crowd oooooh to this.
KK: How disrespectful.
Hartman slowly turns his face back towards TCO. He shoves TCO hard on the chest. TCO has to take a step back to steady himself. Hartman goes to clothesline TCO, but TCO ducks, turns and shoves Hartman's chest, causing Hartman to fall.
TB: Hartman outsmarted by TCO there.
Hartman reaches backwards, grabs the ropes and hops out onto the apron. As TCO tries to spear Hartman to the outside, TPO performs a reverse flip, landing the otherside of TCO and hitting him with a neckbreaker.
KK: Holy shit! What an awesome maneuver that was right there by Nate Hartman!
TCO looks up as if to say, where the hell did you learn that from? Hartman goes to drop an elbow but TCO rolls out of the way, and then performs a nip up. Hartman recovers and goes in for The Phenomenon. TCO counters by once more rolling out of the way. Hartman tries to put TCO into a boston crab, but TCO reverses the move and piles the pressure onto the phenomenal one.
David Jackson starts walking down the ramp, applauding. Hartman notices him but doesn't seem to have been distracted. TCO continues to apply the pressure and Hartman looks like he's about to tap. The referee asks him if he wants to give up, and Hartman shakes his head.
KK: Heroicism from Hartman in the face of TCO's boston crab.
Hartman reaches a leg out backwards and manages to just about get one leg underneath the bottom rope. The referee calls for the clean break. TCO gives the referee the finger. When the referee tries to physically intervene, TCO does in fact release the hold, but takes the referee down with a spear.
TB: Disgusting behaviour by TCO.
David Jackson gets up onto the apron and starts to taunt Nate Hartman. Hartman struggle back onto his feet, and Jackson encourages him to take a swing. Hartman does indeed do so, but Jackson instead throws flour in Hartman's face. Hartman immediately retreats, trying to clear his vision.
KK: Thats totally out of order by Jackson, he should not be interfering in this.
TB: But it's typical of what we have come to expect is it not?
TCO covers Nate Hartman, but the referee is still down and out.
KK: Ha. TCO reaps what he sows!
Jackson dives into the ring and tries to rouse the referee to no avail. Instead, he grabs a hold of the referee's hand and taps on the mat with it 1-2-3. It's over.
TB: What?! This can't be right. Jackson and TCO just screwed Nate Hartman out of a victory here.
KK: I told you this would be closer than you think.
TB: I was hoping that would be because of good competition. Not like this.
KK: So The Chosen One wins on his first match back. Ladies and Gentlemen, we'll see you next week, it's been a chaotic night, we hope you've enjoyed it. Until next week.