Post by Big Time Fights on Mar 9, 2021 3:09:37 GMT
The scene opens up with Luke Marshall in the foreground, Aussie Flag hanging over some gym equipment in the background, as the scene fully fades in, Luke begins to speak.
LUKE MARSHALL
LUKE MARSHALL
Lions Road! Fuck I missed talkin' to you lot. This is me talkin' to you's man to... well... many. This Trial Series has been hard on me, it's pushed me to my limits... it's going to be hard for me to actually get through this in one piece, the training involved in this has had me fucked up, my muscles are aching only due to Mr Anderson pushing me to my fuckin' limits. I gotta thank the owners at Lions Road for giving me this opportunity to show my talent in this trial series... but I just gotta keep on with this point. I don't LIKE being called a "Super Rookie". I haven't earned that title yet. When I do, in fact, earn this title I will wear it with pride. But until then... I kinda like being called Balmains Best Kept Secret. Continuing on! We got ourselves another killer match!
Luke smiles, and begins pacing back and forth in front of the camera.
LUKE MARSHALL
Luke smiles, and begins pacing back and forth in front of the camera.
LUKE MARSHALL
David Troy! You’re a veteran of the ring, my guy. You were one of the people on this roster that I REALLY wanted to have a match against, so having this match against you now is a dream come true for me. Wrestling a true veteran of the game like yourself is something massive for me. David, this match with you… this is massive for me and my career. I don’t expect you to take it easy on me… hell… I expect you to give me every last ounce of give that you’ve got. I hope you expect the same from me, David… because this last match in this Trial Series… this match will be the last shot for me to show the world what I have in store. This, David Troy, is now or never for me… I respect the fuck outta you… but best believe that I am walking out of this match… this final match… with the W.
With those final words, Luke walks out of frame and the scene fades to black.
With those final words, Luke walks out of frame and the scene fades to black.
We join the match in progress. The three-time World's Champion whips the Super Rookie chest first into the turnbuckles and grabs him in a rear waist hold, attempting a German suplex. Marshall tries to fight it, looking to break the grip that Troy has around his waist but Troy runs him into the turnbuckle and then sends him back with a deep bridge! Troy floats out of it and hits him with a double stomp to the chest! He covers!
1...
...
2...
NO!
Both men take a moment to get back up, but Troy beats Marshall to the vertical base and waylays him with a push kick as he's on his knees. Marshall falls backwards, but quickly gets back to his feet. Troy comes off the ropes looking for the Blazing Star knee strike, his variation of the busaiku knee made famous by KENTA... and Marshall batters him out of the air with a forearm shiver! He grabs Troy off the mat, front chancery applied...
SPINNING BRAINBUSTER!
He floats over...
1...
...
2...
...
FOOT ON THE ROPE!
Marshall yanks the foot off the rope and tries again, but only gets a two. He gets up and backs up into the corner, climbing up onto the second rope. He readies himself, but Troy uses his ring awareness as he's getting up and falls against the second rope. With Marshall off balance, the Best Kept Secret has to leap from his perch to the mat and ends with a front roll. Troy cracks him with the Blazing Star knee strike as he turns around! With Marshall down, Troy heads over to a corner behind his opponent and readies for the Rough Divide, Troy charges in... but Marshall turns and blasts him with a lariat from down under! Hell?! Australia!? Who knows! Troy is folded up like an accordion, but Marshall opts not to cover! Shelzi criticizes him for it, but Marshall obviously can't hear the words of the retired wrestler/manager turned commentator at ringside. The Super Rookie sets Troy up for a powerbomb and hauls him up, but before he can hoist him up for the Last Ride portion of the move - Troy hurracanranas him!
1...
...
2...
...
NO!
Troy leaps out of the pin and stops dead in his track. He turns and sizes Marshall up, aiming for his signature head kick. He fires it off, but Marshall ducks. He clamps on a sleeper hold, then wraps his legs around Troy - the two men fall forward, face down onto the mat. Troy has limited options and referee Cordell Garner is in perfect position. Marshall tightens his grip...
AND TROY TAPS!
Marshall rolls off and out of the ring. He leaps into a hug from his manager, Austin Anderson and nearly topples him over. Anderson then says some words that don't get picked up and Marshall nods, heading back into the ring. He waits for the ringside doctor to finish with Troy, then extends his hand to his downed opponent. Troy slowly gets up to his knees, then his feet and looks at the hand. He takes a deep breath and shakes it, then raises Marshall's arm in the air before bowing out of the ring. At the desk, Sam Hewitt and Brian Shelzi put over how Marshall went 2-2 in his trial series but both of those victories came over former World Champions. Shelzi says the tutelage of Austin Anderson has clearly done a lot of good for Marshall, but says the "Super Rookie" has a lot of great upside and tangibles in his own right that made this possible.
When "The Burning Heart" needs to think, he finds a quiet place, and the locker room sure isn't the place for that. A small hill overlooking the venue, on the other hand, is just right.
JAMES EDWARDS
Ever since Hammer got hurt, I've been wonderin' what I've got left to fight for in Lion's Road.
He sits on the ground as he watches the sunset and is dressed in jeans and a black hoodie.
JAMES EDWARDS
I ain't going anywhere, so get that out of your mind if you were thinkin' that. I know how I should fight, no more reckless shit, but it's just that when you're all in on something like I was on being in the Burning Hammers, you don't think much about anything else. Then a title shot fell in my lap.
He shrugs casually.
JAMES EDWARDS
I wasn't expectin' it, but it is a pleasant surprise, and it got me to thinkin'. A new title is something worth fightin' for, mainly because if I win this one that it means I've won damn near every title you can in LR history on top of the fact I've won two of three tournaments as well. A win tonight would make me the most decorated fighter ever to grace an LR ring, which is a hell of a thing to think about when you consider the talent that's come through this place. When I was first starting out, just sayin' that would've made my ego go into overdrive. Now it just feels hollow.
A chilly wind blows, and Edwards pulls his hood up.
JAMES EDWARDS
I know that'll surprise some people considering how focused I've been on provin' how much better I am my entire career. Things change when you watch one of your best friends get hauled off on a stretcher. You start to realize nobody is gonna remember how many titles you won or how much better you were than the guy across from you. You're lucky if you get to pick how you are remembered at all. The only person that remembers what you do is you, and I wanna associate this time in my career with pride. That's what I'm fightin' for tonight, the knowledge that I busted my ass and fought smart.
JAMES EDWARDS
Ever since Hammer got hurt, I've been wonderin' what I've got left to fight for in Lion's Road.
He sits on the ground as he watches the sunset and is dressed in jeans and a black hoodie.
JAMES EDWARDS
I ain't going anywhere, so get that out of your mind if you were thinkin' that. I know how I should fight, no more reckless shit, but it's just that when you're all in on something like I was on being in the Burning Hammers, you don't think much about anything else. Then a title shot fell in my lap.
He shrugs casually.
JAMES EDWARDS
I wasn't expectin' it, but it is a pleasant surprise, and it got me to thinkin'. A new title is something worth fightin' for, mainly because if I win this one that it means I've won damn near every title you can in LR history on top of the fact I've won two of three tournaments as well. A win tonight would make me the most decorated fighter ever to grace an LR ring, which is a hell of a thing to think about when you consider the talent that's come through this place. When I was first starting out, just sayin' that would've made my ego go into overdrive. Now it just feels hollow.
A chilly wind blows, and Edwards pulls his hood up.
JAMES EDWARDS
I know that'll surprise some people considering how focused I've been on provin' how much better I am my entire career. Things change when you watch one of your best friends get hauled off on a stretcher. You start to realize nobody is gonna remember how many titles you won or how much better you were than the guy across from you. You're lucky if you get to pick how you are remembered at all. The only person that remembers what you do is you, and I wanna associate this time in my career with pride. That's what I'm fightin' for tonight, the knowledge that I busted my ass and fought smart.
Scene.
Rain Corvin looking out of the window, back turned to the camera.
“Been a rough road to travel, this one, plenty of stones and bumps along it, but I´ve managed to come out of it a better man and fighter. I have had my ups and downs, yet in the end I’ve always managed. That is because I love to live. I love my life and my existence, although It hasn´t always been roses and sunshine.
Still.
I stand here, in front of everyone, a great fighter and accomplished human being at the mere age of twenty. Only goddamn twenty years old and so much done and experienced along the way. Who knows what life has in store for me, at the next corner? Well, even if it is the end of days, I can rest in peace knowing that I gave it my all and have no regrets whatsoever.
Not everyone can say that.
People twice my age look back on their life and all they can muster is a prolonged sigh. Wasted chances and dead opportunities is all they got to bring up. No matter how long ones existence was, if he hasn´t fought for his dreams, all he will be able to have is a big pile of regrets.
Well…
…Not me.
Even if I would throw everything away, right now, and become something else, I would still be satisfied with all I have managed to accomplish in the wrestling world. I am a great wrestler, a champion, and I lead a fulfilled existence.
Life is a constant fight and since I am a fighter to the bone, I wouldn´t want it any other way. Each and every day the struggle renews itself, be it that you are an office bureaucrat or a wrestler, each day you have to fight anew, in order to maintain your status and everything you´ve accomplished.
Especially if you find yourself at the top of the mountain.
If you are at the top of the world, there will always be someone who is willing to drag you down and throw you to the bottom of the pit.
Always.
Well, I am at the top of the Himalaya and I won’t allow anyone to do that to me.
Be it Jonah Ke´ala or be it James Edwards.
The result is still the same.
It´s always Rain Corvin who will have his hand raised in victory.
One way or the other, I am and will always be a winner. No matter whom the opponent is.
It´s always the one you love to hate who is and will be called a champion to remember.
James Edwards.
Bring your best.
Do your worst and I’ll do mine.
Let´s see who´s the top dog after this."
Rain Corvin looking out of the window, back turned to the camera.
“Been a rough road to travel, this one, plenty of stones and bumps along it, but I´ve managed to come out of it a better man and fighter. I have had my ups and downs, yet in the end I’ve always managed. That is because I love to live. I love my life and my existence, although It hasn´t always been roses and sunshine.
Still.
I stand here, in front of everyone, a great fighter and accomplished human being at the mere age of twenty. Only goddamn twenty years old and so much done and experienced along the way. Who knows what life has in store for me, at the next corner? Well, even if it is the end of days, I can rest in peace knowing that I gave it my all and have no regrets whatsoever.
Not everyone can say that.
People twice my age look back on their life and all they can muster is a prolonged sigh. Wasted chances and dead opportunities is all they got to bring up. No matter how long ones existence was, if he hasn´t fought for his dreams, all he will be able to have is a big pile of regrets.
Well…
…Not me.
Even if I would throw everything away, right now, and become something else, I would still be satisfied with all I have managed to accomplish in the wrestling world. I am a great wrestler, a champion, and I lead a fulfilled existence.
Life is a constant fight and since I am a fighter to the bone, I wouldn´t want it any other way. Each and every day the struggle renews itself, be it that you are an office bureaucrat or a wrestler, each day you have to fight anew, in order to maintain your status and everything you´ve accomplished.
Especially if you find yourself at the top of the mountain.
If you are at the top of the world, there will always be someone who is willing to drag you down and throw you to the bottom of the pit.
Always.
Well, I am at the top of the Himalaya and I won’t allow anyone to do that to me.
Be it Jonah Ke´ala or be it James Edwards.
The result is still the same.
It´s always Rain Corvin who will have his hand raised in victory.
One way or the other, I am and will always be a winner. No matter whom the opponent is.
It´s always the one you love to hate who is and will be called a champion to remember.
James Edwards.
Bring your best.
Do your worst and I’ll do mine.
Let´s see who´s the top dog after this."
The main event of the evening begins with the bell. Both the champion Rain Corvin and his challenger James Edwards circle around slowly, sizing each other up. Corvin stands 6'3" / 244lbs while Edwards is 5'9" / 209lbs, but as Shelzi points out on commentary - Edwards' resume and body of work speaks for itself that size isn't an issue for the 26 year old from Kentucky. The two men exchange kicks, checking them while moving sideways - trying to gauge the distance. Hewitt adds that both men employ a very strike-heavy style, which creates problems for both men. Edwards needs to stay in the pocket while Corvin needs to use his reach advantage to prevent that from happening.
A flurry ends in a grapple with both men jockeying for position. Each time a body lock is applied, it's just as quickly broken and Edwards grabs a front chancery and rolls through into side control. From there, he tries to go into north south but Corvin manages to roll out in short order. They get back to their feet and exchange kicks, Corvin catches him with a kick to the ribs and Edwards fires back with a palm strike. Corvin stretches out his arm, locking his fingers with Edwards' and the two grapple a bit, locking both hands up before the champion lands a knee to the midsection. Edwards returns fire with a series of push kicks - directing at the solar plexus. Corvin and Edwards finally pull apart from each other and Edwards darts at the champ, but stops short and smirks as Corvin scurries away.
A flurry ends in a grapple with both men jockeying for position. Each time a body lock is applied, it's just as quickly broken and Edwards grabs a front chancery and rolls through into side control. From there, he tries to go into north south but Corvin manages to roll out in short order. They get back to their feet and exchange kicks, Corvin catches him with a kick to the ribs and Edwards fires back with a palm strike. Corvin stretches out his arm, locking his fingers with Edwards' and the two grapple a bit, locking both hands up before the champion lands a knee to the midsection. Edwards returns fire with a series of push kicks - directing at the solar plexus. Corvin and Edwards finally pull apart from each other and Edwards darts at the champ, but stops short and smirks as Corvin scurries away.
The two men circle again, Corvin ducks it and steps back - PALM STRIKE! He catches Edwards off guard and knocks him to a knee, a kick follows it up to the head and Edwards is down! Referee Jerry Roberts steps in and starts the ten count after checking him out, but the Burning Heart is up at eight. Corvin charges him and scoops him up onto his shoulder, powerslamming him to the mat! As Edwards sits up after impact, Corvin tries to apply the Ode to the King - his cobra clutch, but Edwards hustles to the ropes to block it from happening.
The two men break, but Corvin is on him like white on rice as they get back to a vertical base. He gets him in a gutwrench and tries to haul him up, but Edwards keeps a hold of the champ's leg to prevent it. Corvin releases the waist hold, Edwards tries for a takedown but winds up with the champion in side control. Edwards manages to quickly transition, putting the champion in his guard instead and executes perfect wrist control quickly. Corvin tries to use his weight to not only free his hands but try and move back into half guard, then into side control. The challenger however does a terrific job of negating any advances, but Corvin gets an arm free and begins pummelling the body. Edwards in return slaps on a kimura, but the positioning doesn't really put the champion in any danger. Corvin drives a few fists into the challenger's face, while Edwards begins turning himself sideways while keeping one leg around Corvin's torso. With him still maintaining control of the arm, Edwards abandons the kimura and directs it to more of a straight armbar - grabbing the arm at the elbow. This is more for control than anything, as he begins kneeing Corvin's body and opposite shoulder. With the champion in a pickle of a situation, Corvin has to crawl on one arm and his knees toward the ropes. Edwards slips his leg underneath and then over top of the back of Corvin's neck, then applies pressure...
BUT CORVIN GETS TO THE ROPES!
Roberts breaks it up and Edwards rolls out to the floor and circles around to the opposing corner as Corvin takes his time getting back up, shaking out his arm. When the two make eye contact, Edwards uses his finger and thumb to show the champ how close he was to tapping out. Corvin's usual confident gaze has been replaced by... anger, frustration, maybe even embarrassment - it's the first time he's really been put in that kind of situation here in LRX.
Corvin comes out a little faster, grabbing Edwards and lifting him up after a feint kick. Edwards tries to strike his way free, even using a headbutt... but Corvin slams him down with a spinebuster! The headbutt proves problematic, as he's been cut open above the eye and quickly goes to wipe the blood trickling into his eye. Edwards....
SLAPS ON A TRIANGLE CHOKE!
Corvin rolls through, finding safety in the ropes once more. Edwards breaks it angrily, then heads back to his corner trying to breathe slower and calm himself down. It's Corvin's turn to go to the floor, but Dr. Pierson walks over and checks his cut out - seeing if he's able to continue. Corvin protests, but Pierson declares him OK to continue. Edwards motions him to get back in the ring, but Corvin just stares and smiles at him. Edwards gets a bit irritated by this and walks over, Corvin doesn't budge. Edwards sits on the rope, inviting him in but the champ isn't moving - even with the blood trickling down his face again. Edwards backs off the ropes at Roberts' request, but comes back and tries to kick him through the ropes. Corvin steps back, narrowly avoiding it. Roberts grabs Edwards and backs him up, Corvin slides in and Edwards tries to rush him. Roberts restrains him, but unknowingly leaves him defenseless to a Yakuza kick! Corvin tries to grab him for a cover, but Roberts refuses to count! He tells Corvin to back up into his corner, which leads to an argument. Roberts states that he's going to give Edwards a ten count and the longer Corvin argues, the longer Edwards gets to recover! Corvin begrudgingly backs off, but the Burning Heart is already back on his hands and knees as the count is starting. At six, he's on his feet and ready to fight again.
Corvin charges in for a second Yakuza kick, but Edwards dips out of the way. He turns around and nails a palm strike, then a spinning back fist. He hits a second, then tries for the spinning back elbow to complete the Triple Play... but catches Edwards and scoops him up...
BLUE THUNDER BOMB!
Corvin covers!
1...
...
2...
...
3-NO!
Corvin isn't happy about the count, protesting it. Edwards rolls onto his stomach and fights back to his knees, Corvin peppers him with antagonizing boots to the face, facewashes. He finally boots him with some force, rolling him onto his back. Corvin grabs him by the ears and pulls him up, he steps back...
FLYING KNEEBAR!
...
...
CORVIN GETS THE ROPES!
"DAMN IT!"
Edwards hurries up, jumping on Corvin before he can get back up completely. He tries to apply a cattle catch neck crank, but Corvin grabs his legs and back drops him...
INTO A BRIDGING PIN!
1...
...
2...
...
3!
Corvin rolls off and out of the ring, grabbing a towel to wipe his eye as Edwards sits up immediately and stares daggers at the champ. Corvin grabs the belt and holds it up, smirking at Edwards... even leaning in close to talk some more shit. Edwards gets to his feet and once more, invites him back into the ring but Corvin laughs and backs up, telling Edwards he already beat him. Another name in the books! Corvin dangers the U30 title, the only one in Lion's Road to elude Edwards, like a carrot as he stands in the aisle. Sam Hewitt thanks us for joining them and says we'll you again... down the road.
