6/2/2016 - Mane Event

The venue's lights dim and the fans jump to their feet to see who's arriving... "Bad Guy" by Jason Comolli begins to play and smoke begins to rise from the stage.  Emerging from the clouded mist is Mark Storm, the self-proclaimed "Reckoning of Professional Wrestling" who stands tall in the lion's mouth! A smile emerges on his face as he looks out at the crowd, embracing the cheers as he closes his eyes and widens his arms as he soaks it all in.  He walks down the runway like this.

JAKE AARONS: This is a Quest for the Crown Qualifying Bout and is to be fought over a ten minute time limit with a pinfall, submission or knockout to determine the winner! Introducing first from Brooklyn, New York.  He weighs in at two hundred and twenty seven pounds... MARK STORM!

Storm gets to the end of the runway and stands on the apron, letting out a triumphant roar with the audience roaring back in response as he slingshots himself over the top rope.  He falls to his knees inside the ring, looking up the ceiling as Nelly's "Heart of the Champion" instrumental interrupts and the mouth of the giant lion head opens up. As the beat kicks in, Matt Pulver steps out onto the ramp, checking his wrists and warming up a bit. He keeps his eyes focused on the ring as he walks down the runway with the determined steps.

JAKE AARONS: His opponent from Leksand, Sweden.  He weighs in at one hundred and seventy five pounds... MATT PULVER!

Once he reaches the ring, he quickly steps through the middle and top rope and raises an arm to the audience. He takes off his Lion's Road T-shirt and backs into his corner, rolling his wrists, checking the ropes, stretching his legs and just warming up in general as he waits for the match to start.

JAKE AARONS: Your referee for this bout is Brian Shelzi.

Storm and Pulver get into the centre of the ring and Pulver extends his hand, Storm looks to the crowd before slowly extending his hand to accept it.  Both men lock-up, and Storm quickly gains the upper hand and rains down elbow strikes to the back of Pulver's head.  Pulver grabs around the waist of Storm to prevent himself from falling down and shield his neck/head from the strikes, Storm tries to separate him but Pulver ankle picks him.  Down on the mat, Pulver unleashes a barrage of forearms to Storm's head before he leaps up and double stomps him!

BASTIAN KRULL: An odd decision by Matt Pulver not to go for the pinfall following that sequence of moves.  That double stomp caught Storm by surprise!

MANDEVILLE NELSON: Oh for certain, but I do believe that Matt Pulver is showing Mark Storm some respect while also being a little braggadocios about his own wrestling ability.

BASTIAN KRULL: He needs to be careful that it doesn't cost him.

Pulver lets Storm get up to his feet and the two men tie up, Storm applies a side headlock but Pulver quickly shoots him off the ropes.  Pulver leap frogs over him and then drops down to the mat upon Storm's return.  Pulver springs up looking for a dropkick, but the veteran Storm stops dead in his tracks and watches Pulver fall to the mat.  Storm applauds him before hitting the ropes again and the rising back to his feet Pulver down to the mat with a sling blade! Storm covers!

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2-KICKOUT!

Storm pulls Pulver to his feet and unleashes a vicious strike combination and goes for a clothesline, but Pulver ducks it! Storm leaps backwards looking for the Pele kick, but Pulver side steps that also! Pulver watches as Storm falls to the mat and immediately grabs him in a rear waist lock! Pulver pulls him to his feet and appears to want to hoist him for a German suplex, but Storm notices this... so Pulver kicks the back of his knee causing him to jolt forward and back down to the mat! Pulver leaps on top with a step over toe hold and applies a hammerlock! Storm uses his free arm to reach out for the ropes and quickly grabs it.

BASTIAN KRULL: Veteran ring presence here allows him to minimize the damage that could have been dealt.

Pulver pulls Storm to his feet as we go to a commercial break.

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -

Back from the break, Storm sends Pulver to the mat with a headscissors takedown! Pulver staggers up to his feet but dodges the incoming bicycle knee attack, Storm crashes in the corner and Pulver drops in the opposite corner to catch his breath.  He turns and notices Storm in a vulnerable state and gets up to charge, Pulver jogs across the ring but in what seems like a millisecond Storm is up, does a front roll and handspring hurricanranas Matt Pulver!

MANDEVILLE NELSON: Matt Pulver said he watched Mark Storm growing up, I think it shows! He has him well scouted and has dodged several attacks, but Storm keeps showing us that he's a veteran of the ring and still offers a few attacks that Pulver isn't privy to!

A two count is all Storm can get on Pulver, who gets yanked into a front facelock and Storm impressively deadlifts him up and ov--Pulver slips out the back door! Pulver grabs him in a rear waist lock but Storm does a go behind! Pulver rolls forward! ANKLE LOCK! He grapevines the legs and Storm frantically grabs the bottom rope to force a quick break once more, Pulver tries to grab him before he rolls out onto the apron but cannot.  Referee Brian Shelzi backs him up as Storm gets to his feet on the apron, Pulver tries to attack but gets shouldered in the gut and Storm leaps over for a sunset flip! The momentum carries both men through and Pulver grabs Storm's legs and looks for the Alligator Clutch, but Storm pushes him off into the ropes! Storm does a backwards roll and doesn't see the single leg dropkick coming! Pulver clobbers him with it!

BASTIAN KRULL: Mighty impressed by Matt Pulver in this match, it's a perfect combination of having studied your opponent's previous matches and moves and capitalizing on the little openings that he hands you.

Pulver pulls a kneeling Storm up to his feet and delivers a Northern lights suplex! He rolls through and applies a cross armbreaker! Storm prevents it from being fully applied by rolling with it, and fighting to his feet.  Storm folds him up and Pulver's shoulders are on the mat with the hold still applied! Shelzi counts!

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Pulver kicks Storm with his heel causing him to relinquish the pinning hold.  With Storm staggered, Pulver grabs the legs and trips him up! He goes for the Alligator Clutch again and succeeds!

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3!

Pulver gets up asking Shelzi if it was three and a "yeah, kid, it was three" causes Pulver to hug Shelzi, who pushes him off and raises his arm! Pulver leaps onto the second rope and throws his arms in the air as Aarons announces him as the victory and as going to compete in the Quest for the Crown.  Storm gets up, not looking too happy, but gives Pulver a "you got me" before rolling out of the ring. 

MANDEVILLE NELSON: For all that he scouted, for all that he capitalized on - Pulver beat a veteran with a pinning hold that is near inescapable for just about any professional wrestler. 

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -

We return from break to see the action has already got under way! Holly Holbrook and Lexxi D. Vine battling the duo of Helius and Firefly.  Firefly sizes Holbrook up in the corner and rushes her, Holbrook ducks and Firefly leaps onto the turnbuckle and quickly adjusts himself before nailing Holly as she turns around with a leaping shoulder block! He covers!

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LEXXI MAKES THE SAVE!

Lexxi pulls Firefly to his feet and goes for a slap, but he ducks. He tries for a slap of his own, but she dodges it! She isn't able to dodge the spin kick however! Firefly watches as Lexxi rolls out of the ring and turns around right into Holbrook's Holly Spirit! The Shiranui/Sliced Bread #2 connects! She covers!

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BROKEN UP BY HELIUS!

Holbrook gets rushed to her feet by Helius, who grabs an arm and leaps around - locking her other arm up with his legs! The crucifix pin!

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KICKOUT!

Holbrook kicks out and Helius grabs her arm and gives her La Magistral!

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LEXXI BREAKS IT UP!

D. Vine puts the boots to Helius as Firefly leaps off the top rope and connects with a springboard forearm! Holly falls back into the ropes, but comes roaring back out with a forearm of her own! Firefly is staggered by this, so she backs into the ropes and shoots off with a spinning heel kick! With Firefly down, she signals to the top rope! D. Vine nails Helius with the 2 Cool 4 Skool Shining Wizard sending him out of the ring as she heads back to the apron. Holbrook flies off with the Holly Go Round diving somersault senton! She holds for the cover!

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LEXXI D. VINE: NO! NO! NO!

Holbrook and referee Xavier Price look on confused as Lexxi DEMANDS Holly make the tag to her. Holbrook tries to resist, but D. Vine screams "NOW!" and Holbrook reluctantly gets up and tags in D. Vine who smiles and skips over to Helius and covers!

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3!

BASTIAN KRULL: What the hell was that?

MANDEVILLE NELSON: You're looking at the entitlement generation, Bastian Krull!

BASTIAN KRULL: Whatever it is - Lexxi D. Vine and Holly Holbrook pick up the first tag team victory here in Lion's Road.

Xavier raises both women's hands before D. Vine forcibly lowers Holbrook's. She screams at Price to not touch her and instead raise her arm instead. Price lets out his signature "Wooow duuude" and rolls his eyes as he raises Lexxi's hand.

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -

JAKE AARONS: It is now time for your main event of the evening.  It is to be fought with television time remaining and is the final Qualifying Bout in the Quest for the Crown with a pinfall, submission or knockout to determine the winner! Introducing first...


"Gangsters Paradise" by Coolio begins to play throughout the venue. The lights abruptly turn off all at once as the music continues to play. Seemingly hundreds of camera flashes begin lighting up the darkened arena then suddenly the curtain is thrown back and Robb Daniels walks out onto the stage with the fans in attendance rising to there feet..

JAKE AARONS: From Knoxville, Tennessee by way of Lexington, Kentucky.  He weighs in at two hundred and thirty five pounds... ROBB DANIELS!

Daniels comes out with a great deal of confidence walking down the centre of the runway with a serious look on his face. He slowly walks along the apron. wiping his feet before stepping through the ropes into the ring. Daniels circles the ring before climbing onto the middle turnbuckle. He looks out into the crowd before looking down, talking trash into the camera and pointing at the lens. Daniels steps back down onto the canvas removing his shirt like he's throwing it into the crowd but instead tosses it under the bottom turnbuckle in his corner. He grips around his taped wrists as his music fades out.  "Thank God I'm a Country Boy begins to play" and Jon Davenport emerges from the lion's mouth and begins to stomp and clap his hands in time with the song to get the crowd fired up.

JAKE AARONS: His opponent weighs in tonight at two hundred and forty pounds... JON DAVENPORT!

Davenport hops off the runway and high fives fans, pats the head of some children and is generally all smiles.  Davenport gets up onto the apron, enters the ring and shakes referee Cordell Garner's hand.  Davenport turns and extends his hand to Daniels, who slowly walks up and accepts it.  There's a great deal of tension though and the situation isn't improved by Davenport pulling Daniels in close and trading barbs with him. Garner gets in between the men and orders them back to their corner. 

BASTIAN KRULL: Already some tension here in the early moments which you kind of had to anticipate given the promos these guys filmed this week.

MANDEVILLE NELSON: No love lost and they haven't even met before!

The bell sounds and the two men lock-up, Daniels holds a four inch height advantage while Davenport is five pounds heavier.  Davenport grabs a side headlock out of the tie-up and wrenches it in tightly... Daniels backs him into the ropes and tries to shoot him off, but Davenport keeps the side headlock clamped on.  Daniels elbows Davenport in the midsection several times but still can't break loose.  He finally lifts Davenport off his feet and plants him with a backdrop suplex, but finds himself still locked in the side headlock.  Daniels kicks his feet around and drapes one over the ropes to get Garner to call for a break and when Davenport lets go, Daniels rolls out of the ring and walks around the ring.  Daniels climbs the steps and gets onto the apron, looking as though he's going to climb in but backs off and walks down the runway.  Garner starts his twenty count and Davenport drops out of the ring, heads up the stairs and chases after Daniels! Daniels smirks as he turns around and throws a punch! Davenport ducks it and locks on a headlock! Daniels cusses quite loudly as JD drags Daniels back down the runway to the ring with the side headlock applied.  Daniels wriggles free and shoves Davenport forward into the ropes, he comes springing back out toward Daniels on the runway and eats a European uppercut! He falls up against the ropes and Daniels delivers a Cactus clothesline that lands both men back into the ring.

MANDEVILLE NELSON: Daniels not wasting a second!

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2-KICKOUT!

BASTIAN KRULL: A good swing of momentum in Robb Daniels' favour with that succession of moves so I'm not surprise to see him go for the pin.  I cannot stress enough to fans that absolutely anything can end a match - it's all a matter of timing.  Sometimes you can catch an opponent off guard with the simplest of moves.  A clothesline that sends you back into the ring? Doesn't happen very often!

Daniels seems to be grilling Garner about a slow count, but the referee says no such thing took place. Daniels tries to grab a leg of Davenport for a single leg crab, but Davenport responds by pulling himself under the bottom rope.  Garner orders a break and Daniels looks like he's going to oblige, but instead snaps off a catapult - bringing JD throat first into the bottom rope! Garner issues a yellow card as Daniels walks away shrugging his shoulders to a chorus of boos.

JAKE AARONS: Referee Cordell Garner has issued Robb Daniels his first public warning.

MANDEVILLE NELSON: Oh my! You speak of momentum turning moments, Bastian Krull, that right there can do a lot to swing a match.  Throat first across a rope is no fun - and can hinder you for the rest of a match and even weeks or months depending on how hard you hit!

Garner keeps Daniels back while medical personnel check out Davenport.  The staff give Garner a thumbs up to signal he's OK to go and Daniels wastes no time shoving Garner aside and beelines for Davenport, but catches an elbow as the crowd erupts! Daniels staggers back as Davenport gets back into the ring! Daniels charges, but Davenport ducks and hoists him up for a bodyslam! Daniels writhes in pain, but makes his way back up to his feet.  JD puts him in an arm wringer and then yanks him in for a clothesline, but Daniels ducks it and goes behind! He has the rear waist lock applied, but Davenport elbows him a couple of times before doing a go behind of his own! He squeezes his arms around Daniels' frame with a rear waist lock bear hug and slowly lowers him to the mat! Davenport squeezes harder and harder as Daniels tries to crawl to the ropes, but is fading fast! Daniels reaches out and his arm drops causing referee Cordell Garner to grab his wrist and lift it up...

It falls.

He grabs it again.

It falls.

He grabs it a third time.

Daniels yanks Garner!

Garner spills over top of Daniels and Davenport, breaking up the submission but the senior official is none too pleased and pulls out a yellow card and directs it at Daniels!

JAKE AARONS: Referee Cordell Garner has issued Robb Daniels his second public warning!

Daniels is arguing away with Garner when he gets whisked around by Davenport and body slammed! Daniels lands hard, but gets right back up and JD shoves him in the corner and heads up top and calls for a punch!

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10!

Davenport hops down and Irish whips Daniels into the ropes, looking for his big boot finishing move but Daniels drops down and tries to scurry under the bottom ropes, but Davenport is right on top of him and drags him back into the centre of the ring.  He hoists him up for the airplane spin and the fans begin counting the rotations, Daniels manages to slip out the back door and pushes forward with a rear waist lock applied.  He tries for an O'Connor roll, but Davenport hangs onto the ropes and Daniels goes flying backwards.  JD turns around and charges right into a spinebuster! He covers!

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3-NO!

Daniels questions the call again, and Garner ignores him this time.  Davenport uses the ropes to pull himself up and catches Daniels coming just in time - so he drops - and Daniels soars over the top rope and hits the runway.

BASTIAN KRULL: A DQ is typically issued for throwing an opponent over the top rope, but that was all Daniels doing! Davenport didn't hold the ropes down, he simply dropped to the mat and Daniels own momentum carried him out.

Davenport collects himself as Garner makes his 20 count and gets to 12 before Davenport decides to go out and collect Daniels.  He scoops him up on the runway and bodyslams him over the ropes into the ring.  Daniels rolls away and begins trying to pull himself up as Davenport calls for the iron claw! Daniels doesn't see it coming!

MANDEVILLE NELSON: Oh my! The Iron Claw is applied!

Daniels fights and fights and fights, but can't muscle that hand off of his head! He tells Garner that his hair is being pulled and when LR's senior official goes to check - Daniels knees Davenport in the groin! His grip loosens and his last sight before the Picture Perfect Stunner is Daniels' sizing him up for a photograph! He covers!

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3!

BASTIAN KRULL: Daniels steals one!

MANDEVILLE NELSON: Robb Daniels never did look quite right in a white hat, Bastian Krull! That's the Daniels I've watched all these years!

Daniels rolls out of the ring holding his head in pain, but with one arm raised in the air.  He calls Garner over to raise his arm for him before he climbs up the stairs and exits down the runway.  Jon Davenport slowly crawls to the ropes and gets a standing ovation despite the loss.  He looks on with a half-smile/half-grimace as the show closes.