7/21/2017 - Mane Event

Dave Flynn, Eli Buchanan's "babysitter" is standing backstage looking at the camera.

DAVE FLYNN
He told you ten minutes?

The camera nods, then AJ Knight pushes the arena door open and grimaces upon the sight of Flynn... but shrugs and greets him.

AJ KNIGHT
...Dave, right? What's up?

AJ sticks out a hand which David shakes

DAVE FLYNN
I'm fine thanks, I have a message for you from Eli.

AJ KNIGHT
Oh is that so? And why couldn't he give it to me himself?

David shrugs.

DAVE FLYNN
I don't know, he said something about "Picking his spots" and "Choosing his battles", yadda yadda yadda. You know how he is.

AJ KNIGHT
Yeah I do, talking about strategy to keep from looking like a coward... so what?

DAVE FLYNN
He wanted me to tell you he won't be interfering in your match with Cutlass tonight. He says that and I quote "He can just leave you to choke in a big match and get your ass kicked by Julian Cutlass all on your own".

AJ KNIGHT
Yeah that does sound like him. Probably more of a practical reason than anything, wouldn't you say?

DAVE FLYNN
What do you mean?

AJ KNIGHT
Look your cousin's a lot of things. Most of them not very good, but an idiot's not one of them. He's already got an obscenely large list of enemies, so he's not going to want to add another one. Especially one like Julian Cutlass. There's nothing Cutlass likes better than a good and fair fight. Unless he takes that away from Cutlass then this isn't his problem.

AJ reaches into his pocket and pulls out a five dollar bill and hands it to Dave.

AJ KNIGHT
Thanks for the message.

DAVE FLYNN
No need.

AJ KNIGHT
Yeah I know but you have to put up with Eli, so I felt you deserve something extra just for that.

AJ shakes Dave's hand.

AJ KNIGHT
Have a good one David.

Knight pats Dave on the back and heads off. 

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -

Back from break, Carl Whitaker is battling Mark Storm. 

SAM HEWITT
So this one's been changed a bit. 

CHAD GOMEZ
I'll say.

Whitaker charges Storm, who dodges the attack - Stonehands hits the ropes... Storm turns and dropkicks him on the rebound! Whitaker falls through the ropes, to the apron and then out to the floor! Mark Storm claps in place, getting the fans to follow suit and then charges into the ropes, springing off... looking as though he's going to launch himself through the air... but Whitaker walks away.  Storm climbs out onto the apron and charges across...

SHOOTING STAR PRESS!

The crowd pops huge as Storm crashes down on Whitaker on the outside. 

SAM HEWITT
Throwing caution to the wind, Mark Storm unleashes a beautiful shooting star press to take Carl Whitaker down!

CHAD GOMEZ
He's going to have knees like a seventy five year old if he keeps doing that out on these unprotected floors. 

Storm slaps hands with a few fans, then grabs Whitaker and chucks him back inside the ring.  The Bull attempts to get to his feet before Storm can slide back in, but gets only halfway there.  Storm sneaks into a corner... and waits for Whitaker to turn around... SLING BLADE! Whitaker goes down, but doesn't take long to get back up... Storm goes for a forearm, but Whitaker ducks it... PELE KICK! The Bull stumbles back into the ropes and Mark Storm grabs him by the wrist and launches him across the ring! On the return, "Your Hero and Mine" does a handspring and wraps his legs around Whitaker's neck.. but the man called Stonehands grabs a hold of Storm before he can fall backwards to complete the hurracanrana.  He pushes him off, then hits him with an atomic drop! Storm hops in place... then gets scoop slammed! Whitaker covers!

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KICK OUT!

SAM HEWITT
Quick thinking on Whitaker's part leads to a very close near fall!

Whitaker grabs Storm and pulls him to his feet, but the New York native clubs him with a forearm to knock him backwards.  With the additional room, Storm begins unleashing kick after kick after kick into Whitaker... doubling him over.  Storm then grabs him... GUTWRENCH POWERBOMB! He covers!

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KICK OUT!

Storm gets up and stalks the Bull, waiting for him to get up... when Whitaker is halfway up... Storm rushes to the ropes and leaps onto the second one.  He springs backwards, looking for the Storm Search but his search comes back empty as Whitaker catches him and German suplexes him into the mat!

CHAD GOMEZ
Sheesh! You talked earlier about Envy's German, this one was all neck.

Indeed, it takes a moment for Mark Storm to unfold but when he does, Whitaker goes for a cover.

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3-NO!

KICK OUT!

Whitaker questions Robbie Morris' count, but doesn't bother arguing with him too much... instead opting to grab Storm and pull him back up.  He Irish whips Storm into the ropes and looks to go for the Beaumont Buster, but Storm gives him a 12-6 elbow to the side of the head as he's being lifted up.  Whitaker drops Storm and falls to a knee, Storm fires a couple forearm shots into him and then lifts him back to a vertical base with a front chancery.  He suplexes him up, but Whitaker slips out the back... Stonehands spins in place, looking for his discus lariat but Storm ducks it...

BUT HE DOESN'T DUCK THE KO PUNCH!

Whitaker catches him flush and drops down for the cover.

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3!

Whitaker rolls off as Morris checks Storm to see if he's OK, Stonehands smiles at the camera and raises his fist.

CHAD GOMEZ
There's a happy man! Back in the winner's circle after a hard fought bout and back to taking home win bonuses for his kids!

SAM HEWITT
Helluva shot! I don't think he needed to pin him.

CHAD GOMEZ
Why wait ten when you can get it done in three seconds?

SAM HEWITT
Good point, I guess.

Whitaker raises his arms as he heads to the back, while we head to commercial. 

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -

JAKE AARONS
Ladies and gentlemen, this Heritage Championship bout is to be fought over a fifteen minute time limit with one fall, one submission or a knockout to decide the winner! Introducing first - the challenger! Hailing from San Antonio, Texas! He weighs in at two hundred and forty five pounds... ROB DRAVEN!

All Draven has is an ice cold stare for Irvine, who sneers back. 

JAKE AARONS
Introducing second - the champion! Fighting out of Keokuk, Iowa! He weighs in at two hundred and fifteen pounds! Attempting to make his third defense of the Heritage Championship... ALEXANDER IRVINE!

Irvine raises the Heritage Championship and steps forward to hand it to Aarons. 

JAKE AARONS
Your referee for this bout is Cordell Garner!

Referee Cordell Garner invites both men to the centre of the ring, but has to get the hell out of the way as strikes start flying! Both fighters are landing, but there is certainly nothing technical about any of this! Irvine begins slowing his strikes, blasting his challenger with some picked spots.  Draven goes for a takedown, grabbing Irvine's leg as he's now under heavy fire from Irvine's hands... but Irvine sprawls out on the attempt and quickly transitions into back side control where he begins hammerfisting Draven's skull! The challenger pulls away, trying to clear himself from harm's way... but Irvine unleashes a kick! It hits Draven, but he mostly absorbs it and grabs Irvine's leg before he can put it back down on the mat and uses it to bring himself closer to the champion... he swings...

AND MISSES!

Irvine does a go behind, keeping his right arm around Draven's waist while smashing his left hand into his face! Draven rears back and pops the Heritage Champion with an elbow! It stuns him enough that Draven is able to escape the bad position and get himself face to face with Irvine again.  The Dark Messiah sends a couple punches into Irvine's skull, but the Champion replies with a knee to the gut.  Draven doubles over, but uses the level drop to take Irvine down to the mat!

SAM HEWITT
Excellent move! Using the fact that Irvine doubled him over with the knee to drop levels and succeed with his takedown!

Draven grabs a hold of a leg on the mat and hangs on, Irvine uses his right hand to slap the hell out of the back of Draven's head.  The challenger tries to cover up with a hand, still hanging onto Irvine's leg but is forced to abandon this strategy when Irvine grabs the hand covering up and attempts an armbar.  Irvine extends the arm, but Draven turns his body before the other leg can come over.  Irvine takes the defense attempt in stride and transitions his submission attempt into a triangle choke.  Draven remains calm and slowly gets to his knees, then stands up while Irvine still has his legs wrapped firmly around his head.  However, sensing that Draven does possess enough power to slam his way out of this hold... Irvine releases the leg grip and tries to rear back and smack Draven with a heel to the head, but the Corpse has other ideas... one in the form of pulling himself free and slapping the ever loving taste out of Alexander Irvine's mouth! Irvine quickly rolls up to his feet, Draven applies double underhooks and tries an overhead throw... but Irvine lands in mount! He begins raining down blows.  He then stands up and decides he wants to soccer kick Draven in the head, but the challenger telegraphs the kick... timing it well so that he can grab a hold of it.  He pulls Irvine into the centre of the ring and goes for a Dragon screw leg whip, but the Heritage Champion doesn't fall victim to it and instead slaps the shit out of Draven's face as he lays on the mat!

CHAD GOMEZ
Good God! He's slapping him like he owes him two months pay!

Draven gets back up on his feet, Irvine and Draven swing simultaneously and each miss! Draven grabs Irvine in a side headlock, then slaps him a few times before that.  A knee to the chest stuns Irvine, who doubles over... Draven grabs him in a side headlock and hip tosses him to the mat where he begins punching him in the face! The Heritage Champion puts his palm against Draven's face, pushing it backwards as Irvine turns to his side... Draven grabs Irvine's left arm by the wrist and forces it down to the mat - less of a submission attempt, more of a control point.  However, Irvine slowly slinks out... but Draven spins out and takes back side control.  However, referee Cordell Garner spots the blood that's begun staining the mat and calls for the doctor.  Alexander Irvine gets up, bloodied up himself - but it's clearly Draven's based on the nasty cut on the edge of his brow.  Dr. Pierson quickly checks it over, puts some vaseline on the cut and gives the OK to continue. 

SAM HEWITT
Dr. Pierson appears to have given Rob Draven the OK to continue, using vaseline to attempt to plug up the cut and allow him to continue fighting.

The two men circle around, Irvine tries for a flying knee but Draven sort of spears him out of midair and lands in half guard, he begins slapping Irvine while trying to pass into side control - and does so successfully.  There, he unleashes a kick to the side of Irvine's head which causes the champion to roll over and scurry to his feet.  Draven kicks him again and Irvine goes down! The crowd gasps as Draven is told to back up after not immediately following up, Garner checks on Irvine and then begins the ten count.

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7...

Irvine gets up to his knees, grabbing the middle rope and then spinning to his feet.  Draven clobbers him with a big right hand that sends him reeling back into the corner, the Dark Messiah tries to close the gap but Irvine seems to come alive knowing that he's literally backed into a corner - peppering his challenger with palm strikes and punches to the head, chest and abdomen.  Irvine misses an elbow, Draven tries to knee him but Irvine catches it and puts the two up against the ropes.  Garner calls for them to separate and return back to the middle of the ring, and so they do - Draven gut kicks him and is about to blast him with punches when Irvine falls to a knee, Draven goes behind.... rear waist lock... GERMAN SUPLEX!

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FOOT ON THE ROPE!

Draven curses as he gets back to his feet, grabbing Irvine by the ears and pulling him into a front chancery... he suplexes him up... then drops him behind for the stunner portion of the Aztec Suplex/Offer of Redemption, but Irvine clamps on to a choke sleeper! Draven back pedals quickly, smashing Irvine between him and the corner to get the hold released.  Draven steps out, then turns back... Irvine blasts him with a flying forearm smash! Draven drops to a knee, the Heritage Champion grabs him and yanks him to his feet... EVENFLOW DDT~! Draven's head bounces off the mat while Irvine lays motionless on the mat.  Referee Cordell Garner begins the ten count on both men.

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Irvine rolls onto his stomach.

8...

Climbs up to his knees.

9...

Stands up, looking down at Draven.

10!

Garner grabs Irvine's arm and raises it as Draven is attended to by stage hands, the Heritage belt is handed to Irvine and fastened around his waist. 

SAM HEWITT
And just like that - Alexander Irvine becomes only the second person to have made three defenses of the Heritage Championship!

CHAD GOMEZ
Yeah... if he wants it, that enables him to the Heritage clause which allows him to cash in for a King of the Lions title shot.  Which is on the line next week, it could be his buddy Julian Cutlass or his old enemy Matt Pulver.  Interesting fights either way, don't you think?

Hewitt doesn't get to answer as the crowd pops, Alexander Irvine walks across the stage and... Ben Chrenshaw comes out applauding, a smirk on his face as usual.  Irvine nods in response, but Chrenshaw looks down at the title as we go to commercial. 

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -

The two men lock-up, Knight backs Cutlass into the ropes and referee Xavier Price calls for a clean break.  Knight slowly frees himself and goes to back off, but raises his hand... Cutlass lifts a forearm up to block instinctively but AJ doesn't bother landing it.  He smiles and backs up, Cutlass moves off of the ropes and the two circle around.  A lock-up ensues, AJ gets the King of the Lions' back on a go behind but Cutlass manages to isolate an arm and begins twisting, forcing AJ down to his knees - the young lion reaches around and grabs Cutlass' face and yanks back causing the champion to yell out.  Cutlass staggers to his feet and they stumble into the ropes with Cutlass' arm wringer still locked on.  Because it's both men involved in the momentum, Price deducts no points.  Price tells Cutlass to relinquish control of Knight's arm and AJ begins to back away, but drives two knees into his midsection and then slams a forearm down across his back.  Knight back pedals and chuckles as Cutlass gets up and gives the young man a disconcerting look.  Knight's smile remains, but his eyes give him away... he's seen it before.  Knight and Cutlass stare across the ring, not moving... until AJ decides to make the most of the moment and charge... only to be kicked in the gut.  He doubles over and Cutlass follows it up by delivering a kick to the chest, AJ flexes his arms and puffs his chest - trying to withhold the pain and absorb it.  Cutlass smirks and delivers two more, Knight shakes his head through winces of pain.  Cutlass hits him with a left and a right, a MONGOLIAN CHOP~! and then blasts him with a head kick.  AJ staggers back and falls to a knee, but shakes his head and stands back up on wobbly legs as the Michigan crowd roars in approval.

CHAD GOMEZ
This kid is nuts.

Cutlass changes position and sizes AJ up for another kick to the chest, but the former Red Army member catches it and brings Cutlass down to the mat.  Cutlass tries to scramble back up, but AJ jumps on him and clamps down on a front chancery in the centre of the ring.  Cutlass tries to fight up, but gets clubbed by forearms.  Back down on all fours, AJ works toward back mount... winding up in back side control.  Knight delivers a knee to the side and then quickly rolls Cutlass onto his back, whereupon he tries to grab his arm and fall backwards.  Cutlass keeps his hands firmly clasped... then brings his leg up and hoofs AJ in the head.  Cutlass does it again, knocking AJ backwards and off of him.  The Blazin' King attempts to get back up to his feet before AJ can recover, but is unable to do so and gets single underhooked - Knight fires a couple knees into the chest/head of the King of the Lions and then brings him down to the mat looking for a Fujiwara armbar.  Cutlass keeps himself on his knees, in close proximity to AJ so he can't flatten him out and hyper extend the arm.  Knight rolls Cutlass onto his side then to his back and transitions the hold, looking to score an Americana.  Cutlass keeps his hands locked though.  Knight pulls him up onto all fours, going back to the front chancery.  Knight slowly works his way to the side, pulling Cutlass' right arm up and out... looking to bring his leg past Cutlass' head... but the Blazin' King knows what's being tried as AJ attempts the armbar! He swings his leg over, bringing Cutlass onto his back as he attempts to extend the arm!

Cutlass keeps his hands held together! Knight uses his right heel to kick at Cutlass' exposed abdomen!

Cutlass absorbs the first blow, then turns in toward AJ - laying on his side...

AJ releases the hold!

SAM HEWITT
Hmm, my best guess is that AJ Knight thought Cutlass was attempting to cradle him.  Never mind the fact that there are no pinfalls in this bout.  I know toward the end of the Iron Championship that pinfalls were introduced, but these are the original Iron Rules.  Submissions, knockouts, point depletion or points decision. 

AJ gets up and realizes his error, and perhaps out of embarrassment rushes in to greet Cutlass getting back to his feet with a forearm that rocks him back into the corner.  Knight follows up with a few more then starts back, he turns in the middle of the ring and charges back in... CORNER LARIAT! Cutlass is stunned, Knight pulls him from the corner and snaps off a suplex! He rolls away and allows Price to begin his ten count.  Cutlass isn't out, but takes his time getting back up - rising to his feet at seven.  Knight goes to grab him, but Cutlass forearms him! Staggered, Knight falls victim to consecutive elbow strikes! He falls against the ropes, Cutlass backs into the opposite set then charges out as Knight springs off himself! Cutlass' lariat is ducked, but Knight pulls the arm through... RAKES THE EYES! Price pulls out a yellow card.

JAKE AARONS
Referee Xavier Price has issued a yellow card to AJ Knight for an illegal eye attack.  This is his first public warning, he has been deducted two points - making his total three.

Knight doesn't argue, but instead uses the opportunity to scoop slam Cutlass! Cutlass sits up in pain and AJ bounds off the ropes... dropkicks him in the lower back! Cutlass rolls away in pain, but gets back to his feet.  AJ rushes him, grabbing him a front chancery again... after a bit of a struggle, Knight hoists Cutlass up onto the top rope... puts his legs on the outside of the ropes and climbs up.  AJ tries to hook both of Cutlass' arms, but the champion breaks free and shoteis AJ! AJ wobbles, but maintains his balance and delivers a forearm to stun Cutlass again.  AJ hooks the arms and tries to position himself so that he can stuff Cutlass' head between his legs, but Cutlass again pulls himself free.

SAM HEWITT
That's the Last Crusade he's trying for! It's a very dangerous move - a double underhook powerbomb from the top rope.  We've never seen AJ use it before here in Lion's Road, he told he was saving it for a special occasion or when he absolutely needed it.  Tonight's a great choice - attempting to unleash it on a man who hasn't been pinned or submitted since September 1st of last year. 

CHAD GOMEZ
Not just any man - he's the King of the Lions.

SAM HEWITT
You're absolutely right.  For my money, the best champion in the sport today. 

Cutlass forearms AJ in the face, then grabs onto him so he can't fall off the ropes.  AJ comes back with a forearm of his own, but Cutlass ducks... the King of the Lions grabs him in position for an exploder... but he's not facing the ring! The crowd gasps when they realize what could happen here... but AJ elbows his way free before Cutlass can even put it together himself.  AJ grabs Cutlass in a front chancery and attempts to fall backwards, looking to DDT him from the top rope - but Cutlass hangs on! Knight crashes to the mat and Cutlass fixes his footing.  Cutlass, not being too familiar with this position, takes a bit longer than usual... allowing AJ to get up, storm back up the ropes and grab the King of the Lions in a front waist hold... and belly to belly suplex him off the top! The crowd gasps at the impact and both men are down! Xavier Price's count begins!

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Knight rolls onto his stomach.

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Cutlass rolls over toward the ropes, grabbing the middle rope and yanks himself up into a seated position.

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AJ stumbles to his feet, grabbing Cutlass' left arm and yanking him to his feet by it.  He drapes it over him as if he's going to backdrop the champion, but instead sends the King of the Lions forward... WHEELBARROW FACEBUSTER! AJ then clamps on the TEMPLAR STRETCH!  The over the shoulder crossface is locked in! Cutlass reaches for the ropes with his free arm, then tries flailing his leg toward the rope.  Knight readjusts his grip, covering Cutlass' eyes so that he can't see what he's reaching for. The fans are going nuts as Knight clamps tightly and rears back, Cutlass reaches out...

pulling himself closer...

closer...

Cutlass manages to swing his leg over the bottom rope and break the hold! Knight lets go and rolls away as Jake Aarons makes his announcement.

JAKE AARONS
Julian Cutlass has been deducted a point for using a rope break - making his point total four. 

Cutlass gets to his feet and is met by a forearm, Cutlass comes back with a palm strike.  AJ shakes his head in pain after it connects, but returns fire with a second forearm! Cutlass absorbs the strike, then Mongolian chops him! AJ grimaces as he falls to his knees, but pops up and levels Cutlass with an atomic drop! The King of the Lions stumbles back and AJ spins around... ROLLING ELBOW! Cutlass falls down to both knees! AJ quickly scrambles back to his feet, hits the ropes and... EATS A LARIAT FROM JULIAN CUTLASS! Cutlass turns AJ over onto his stomach, hooking both of the arms and brings him up onto his knees... AJ KNIGHT BACK DROPS CUTLASS! Cutlass lands hard, but powers through... getting to his feet... KNIGHT TURNS AROUND... ENZUIGIRI FROM CUTLASS! AJ staggers and falls down to a knee against the ropes.  Cutlass gets up, grabs him in a rear waist hold... pulls him away... BACKDROP SUP-NO! AJ BACKFLIPS! LANDS ON HIS FEET! SUPERKICK~! Cutlass falls against the ropes... Price checks on him, but determines he's OK but begins the ten count to recover.

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Knight recovers himself, getting up to grab Cutlass... Knight grabs him in a clinch, but the Blazin' King quickly counters it into one of his own! KNEE! KNEE! KNEE! AJ separates himself from the clinch... he tries to grab Cutlass' arm as he's backing up, but Knight instead eats a kick and goes down, rolling away in pain.  Price steps in between the two men and calls for time.  Price explains the situation to Jake Aarons, who steps out to announce it.

JAKE AARONS
Ladies and gentlemen, referee Xavier Price has called for time to be stopped in this bout as AJ Knight suffered what he believes to be an inadvertent low blow from Julian Cutlass.  Knight will be given three minutes to recuperate to the best of his abilities.  If he is unable to continue, the match will end via disqualification.  If he can continue... Cutlass will be given a public warning. 

Price discusses this with Cutlass as Dr. Pierson checks on AJ, the Blazin' King not entirely happy with the call - insisting he kicked him along the waistline.  Replays are shown on the big screen as Cutlass and Price both look on.

SAM HEWITT
Cutlass says he kicked AJ in the waistline, but the replays are of no real help - it was a quick kick at an awkward angle and AJ went down immediately.  I don't believe for a minute that it was intentional, that's not the champion's style.  And I'm not thinking that AJ's milking this... he looked to be in a world of pain on the mat.

CHAD GOMEZ
It's easy to fake, but it's incredibly hard to milk such a situation when it really happens to you because it's not comfortable, it's not fun.  Looks like we're about to get a ruling here...

Price and Pierson chat briefly, Pierson leaves and Price leans through the ropes to speak to Aarons.

JAKE AARONS
Referee Xavier Price has informed that this bout will continue! Julian Cutlass has received a public warning for an inadvertent low blow, docking him two points.  Bringing his total down to three!

Cutlass shakes his head and beckons AJ into the centre of the ring.  Price steps between them as they trade words, then calls for the bell to begin the bout again.  Knight pushes Cutlass, who shoves him right back.  Knight shoots in for a takedown, knocking Cutlass to the mat - Knight tries to pass guard into side control but only gets to half guard.  He fires a couple shots to the side before turning his attention to the head, all the while working toward side control.  Cutlass rolls onto his stomach, AJ hops over... TEMPLAR STRETCH APPLIED AGAIN! Cutlass grunts and pulls himself toward the ropes, AJ rears back - trying with all his might to finish the King of the Lions... Cutlass inches closer and closer... grabbing the bottom rope as the bell sounds! Price pulls AJ off of Cutlass and quickly meets with Aarons. 

JAKE AARONS
Ladies and gentlemen, the fifteen minute time limit has expired! We are going to review the final moments of this match to see if the bell sounded before, or after the rope break. 

Price and Aarons watch the slow motion replay on the Pollovision, Cutlass reaches for the rope... then grabs it... then the bell sounds.  AJ's eyes goes wide as he realizes what this means...

JAKE AARONS
Well... the winner of this bout by points decision by a score of 4-3... AJ KNIGHT!

Cutlass gets up and bumps fists with AJ before exiting the ring.  Knight drops to his knees and buries his face into the mat... as he rises back up, a fireball engulfs his face! ELI BUCHANAN stomps him a few times before security rushes the ring, stage hands drape a towel over AJ's face and douse it with water as Buchanan is grabbed by the security... laughing madly as we fade to black.

- COMMERCIAL BREAK -