BRADY ROSSEN
Ladies and gentlemen, this bout is to be fought over a forty five minute time limit with two falls, two submission or a knockout to decide the winner! Introducing first from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania! He weighs in at two hundred and twenty pounds... THE CRUSADER! AJ KNIGHT! The crowd roars as the Pennsylvania native steps through the curtain with ‘Until the End’ playing in the background. He is accompanied as usual for a big match by Ben Chrenshaw, AJ looks cool and focused. It’s clear however that the enormity of this match is not lost on him, he climbs onto the apron, before stepping into the ring and climbing the turnbuckles to a roar of approval from the crowd! He turns towards the ramp, awaiting his foe as the song shifts to ‘Colombia’
BRADY ROSSEN
His opponent fighting out of Vancouver, British Columbia! He weighs in at two hundred and nineteen pounds... THE BLAZIN' KING! MR. 448! JULIAN CUTLASS! Julian Cutlass steps out from the back, to a similar ovation to Knight, his eyes are fixed on the ring as Jimmy Winner follows closely behind him. Cutlass removes his hooded robe and hands it off to Winner before he steps inside.
BRADY ROSSEN
Your referee for this bout is Cordell Garner! Duelling chants of LET'S GO AJ! and BLAZIN' KING! echo throughout the venue. The bell sounds, Cutlass and Knight each bump fists before locking up. That exchange ends with AJ slapping on a side headlock which Cutlass counters by placing his foot on the back of AJ’s knee sending him down to a kneeling position. From there, Cutlass throws his weight back breaking the headlock and shoots in for a takedown on AJ Knight who sprawls it before shifting into back side control, Cutlass turns around and flips it over capturing the arm of AJ for an armbar, but AJ clasps the hands together preventing him from completing the hold, AJ manages to get on his toes putting Cutlass’ shoulders on the mat which he kicks out of before 1. AJ and Cutlass both come up to their knees with a grin on their faces. This time AJ is the one who tries for the takedown, but Cutlass stuffs it and hooks the arms trying to set up for the Knee Bomber, AJ continues to push forward though, bringing the two of them back to their feet, AJ starts to twist breaking Cutlass’ grip on his arms and he grabs Cutlass’ leg! Cutlass attempts to pull free and into the ropes but AJ keeps a hold on his leg and pulls him back center, Cutlass drives his elbow into AJ’s neck and grinds it in causing AJ to quickly break the hold!
SAM HEWITT
The feeling out process has quickly taken a turn with Cutlass going after AJ's neck!CHAD GOMEZ
Why wouldn't he, Sambo? Neither man can be 100% after last week. Cutlass just about got knocked out by Edwards, AJ took a piledriver on the floor. This could go three falls, so why not do your damnedest to score a knockout in the opening fall and negate the stipulation? Cutlass immediately clamps down on the side headlock, leaving AJ visibly wincing as Cutlass wrenches on his neck, he takes AJ down to the mat. AJ pounds on the mat with his forearm, before rolling Cutlass onto his shoulders 1-2-Kickout! Cutlass comes back up to his feet with the headlock still applied, AJ backs up trying to launch him off the ropes but Cutlass still holds on. AJ squats down, grits his teeth, hoists Cutlass up and drops him with a back suplex which finally causes Cutlass to let go. AJ returns to his feet trying to stretch his neck out. AJ grabs Cutlass as he comes back to his feet and drives a knee into the bread basket! He grabs Cutlass by the wrist and whips him sternum first into the turnbuckles! Cutlass ricochets out of the corner and down to the mat! AJ smirks at Julian before pulling him up in a front facelock, before hoisting him up in a vertical suplex position, before dropping him stomach first across the top rope, keeping a hold of the front facelock, AJ brings him back into the ring with a vertical suplex, dropping him back in the center of the ring! AJ quickly follows up by slapping on a seated abdominal stretch! Cutlass grunts in pain as AJ continues to wrench on the abdominal stretch, he begins to use his feet to pull himself over towards the bottom rope. As Cutlass inches himself closer to the bottom rope AJ begins to grind the elbow into the ribs! Cutlass comes closer and with one last grunt of effort pulls himself to the bottom rope! AJ breaks on 4 backing up to allow Cutlass to return to a vertical base. This doesn’t last long as AJ rushes in and drives his shoulder into his midsection, doubling Cutlass over. AJ signals for the end as he grabs Cutlass looking for Knightfall, but Cutlass wrenches his way out of it and backslides AJ!
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THRE-Kickout!
SAM HEWITT
Not this time! That backslide is how Cutlass defeated AJ back in September! AJ gets up to his feet and charges...
TILT-A-WHIRL BACKBREAKER! Cutlass covers!
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3-NO!
SAM HEWITT
That'll rattle the spine! Cutlass' Flying Cyprus reverses the momentum again! CHAD GOMEZ
That's what makes Cutlass so dangerous, Sambo. He only needs one move to turn things in his favour and that kid knows it better than anyone right now. AJ starts coming back to his feet as Julian Cutlass, lays in a hard kick to the chest of AJ sending him back into the ropes! Cutlass follows him and absolutely blasts him with a chop before sending him off into the ropes, and blasts him with a Mongolian chop on the rebound! 1-2-Kickout again! AJ sits up following the kickout and his chest is bright red, Cutlass comes up behind him…
HE SINKS IN THE REAR NAKED CHOKE!!!
AJ PUSHES TO HIS FEET!!! HE COMES TO THE CORNER!!!
HE PUSHES OFF INTO THE TURNBUCKLE FOR THE PIN!!
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KICKOUT BY THE BLAZIN’ KING!!
SAM HEWITT
Excellent counter by AJ Knight, neither man can seem to keep the advantage!CHAD GOMEZ
But that can’t have been good for his neck, yeah it broke the hold but his whole weight was being supported by his neck, which as we’ve seen is bothering him.Sure enough AJ’s rubbing his neck as he comes back to his feet. Cutlass shoots in for a takedown, but AJ gets his knee up, catching Cutlass in the sternum! Cutlass now staggers backwards as AJ throws in several forearm shots AJ signs for the roaring forearm, but Cutlass ducks and levels him with the Lariat! 1-2-Kickout! Cutlass pulls AJ up looking for the Exploder, but AJ fights out of it with a series of elbows to the side of Cutlass’ head! Cutlass lets go and AJ uncorks a chop, followed by a scoop slam! AJ drops the knee across the stomach! Cutlass starts to come back up and AJ immediately clamps on a bearhug! Cutlass struggles to free himself, before he lifts his hands up… And boxes AJ’s ears! AJ drops to a knee clutching his ears, as Cutlass lets loose with a series of palm strikes! After peppering AJ with the palm strikes, he lifts AJ up and nails an Exploder Suplex launching AJ across the ring! Cutlass takes a moment to catch his breath before waiting in a corner measuring AJ up as he gets back to his feet.
CUTLASS LUNGES FORWARD FOR THE BLAZING KICK!!
AJ PULLS HIS HEAD OUT OF THE WAY!!
HE GRABS THE WAIST LOCK RUNNING CUTLASS INTO THE ROPES!!
O’CONNOR ROLL!!
CUTLASS ROLLS THROUGH!!
AJ BRIDGES TO PREVENT IT
BUT HIS NECK CAN’T HOLD!!
BOTH MEN’S SHOULDERS ARE DOWN!
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3!
BRADY ROSSEN
Ladies and gentlemen, both men's shoulders were down during the referee's count. Therefore the first fall is a draw!
CHAD GOMEZ
A draw by name, but psychologically - I give this to Cutlass. The way it ended, Cutlass got some clear proof that what he's doing is working and that's gonna frustrate AJ. Each man returns to their respective corner, Cutlass is grinning as Winner hands him a water bottle while AJ receives some words of advice from Chrenshaw who’s applying an ice pack to AJ’s neck. Both men seem very confident in their performance in the first fall, both men anticipating as the time winds down in the rest period, their seconds leave the ring. The bell rings and the second fall is underway!
SAM HEWITT
I’m going to be interested to see how they start this fall, they started to let loose as the last fall came to a close, so I have to wonder if they’re going to continue that or if they’re going to take a slower pace to start again.CHAD GOMEZ
I don’t know, on one hand the feeling out process is clearly over but on the other they know that one mistake is all it takes to end this match now because the next fall takes it. Julian Cutlass steps out of his corner ready to come after his opponent, only for AJ to charge out of his corner blasting Cutlass in the chest with a drop kick immediately propelling him back into the corner, AJ starts lighting up Cutlass with a series of forearm strikes, AJ whips him out of the corner into the ropes before elevating him high overhead into with a back body drop! Cutlass sits up and immediately gets kicked across the back! Cutlass seems to fire up after this and shoots up, coming nose to nose with AJ before delivering a long succession of jabs, before hitting the ropes and levelling him with a running palm strike!!
SAM HEWITT
Well that answers that question, I wouldn’t have expected AJ to be the one to go for it like that!
CHAD GOMEZ
And look how that’s working out for him! He should know better, he watched him wrestle growing up, he knows how hard he hits! He got overly anxious and it may cost him!AJ crawls over to the corner, and Cutlass charges in with a knee to his gut, snapmares him down and gives him a resounding kick across his back before covering him, AJ grimaces before taking another across the chest! Cover! 1-2-Kickout!! Cutlass takes AJ’s back, looking to sink in a rear naked choke, but AJ defends it well tucking his chin, Cutlass responds by hitting him in the back of the head with forearms, AJ rolls over to his back putting Cutlass into his guard, Cutlass tries to start some ground and pound, only for AJ to pull his head towards him stuffing the punches. AJ gets his foot under the hip of Julian Cutlass, creating enough space to get out from under Julian Cutlass and take side control, before driving his knee into the ribcage of Julian Cutlass repeatedly. Cutlass tries to turn out of it, but AJ transitions to a front facelock, before Cutlass pushes them back to their feet. AJ sees an opportunity and snap suplexes Cutlass into the corner!!
SAM HEWITT
Over the past couple of years we've seen that one of Cutlass' best strengths is his ability to set the pace, but right now it's AJ Knight who's forcing him to work at his pace. However, history has shown us that Cutlass needs just one big move to change things in the blink of an eye. AJ walks over to the corner where Cutlass is picking himself up and blasts him with a European Uppercut right in the gut! AJ takes Cutlass out of the corner lifts him up and drops him with a Gutbuster, before again locking an abdominal stretch! AJ grinds his knuckles into the side of Julian Cutlass! Cutlass grits his teeth, and attempts to pull AJ’s leg off of his own… He wrenches himself free, and hip tosses AJ up and over to the mat!! Cutlass takes a moment to catch his breath before advancing on AJ as he comes back to his feet. Cutlass starts unleashing a series of right and left hands, wobbling AJ! He tries to cover up but Cutlass is not deterred, Enzuigiri splits the guard of AJ dropping him to a knee! Cutlass follows up by kicking him square in the face!! 1-2-Kickout!! Julian takes advantage of side control to clamp on a neck crank on AJ who immediately grimaces as soon as the pressure is applied! AJ immediately starts to writhe and twist in the hold clearly in pain! AJ begins kicking his feet trying to pull his body towards the ropes, he inches closer and closer to the bottom rope… He’s an inch away… CUTLASS ROLLS HIM BACK CENTER!!! AJ lets out a noticeable groan as Cutlass continues wrenching on the hold AJ pounds on the mat, his face turning bright red! Cutlass increases the pressure, and AJ is trying with everything he has not to shout, and get the match called! AJ digs down deep and blasts Cutlass in the side of the head with a series of kicks!! Cutlass lets go, as AJ rolls away trying to create some distance, with the hold released AJ lets loose the expletive he’s likely been holding in for the last minute or so…
SAM HEWITT
His neck has to be screaming right now, but he stays in this match at least for the time being!CHAD GOMEZ
Have you ever been in a neck crank before Sambo?SAM HEWITT
Not in actual competition, no. CHAD GOMEZ
Let me tell you, you’re not missing out on much, man, it hurts like hell! I think AJ hanging on like he did was more guts than brains.AJ pulls himself up via the ropes, but Cutlass is right back on him, looking to drop AJ with an Exploder suplex, but AJ cuts that off with a knee to the gut, AJ hits the ropes attempting a roaring forearm but Cutlass ducks and hits the ropes himself, ducking an overhand right on the rebound and running past AJ, hitting the ropes on the other side AND BLASTING HIM IN THE BACK OF THE HEAD WITH A LARIAT!!! AJ’S STAGGERED... AND A SECOND LARIAT NAILS AJ HEAD ON FLATTENING HIM!!! Cutlass sinks to a knee, trying to catch his breath, before rolling AJ over 1-2-THR-KICKOUT!!
SAM HEWITT
I’m not sure how he kicked out of that one, he just about took his head off with that lariat, and he barely looks like he knows where he is right now! Coming off of the cover, Cutlass begins to stalk AJ who is just starting to stir. He comes up behind the young Crusader, lining him up for something… Cutlass seizes him looking for a Backdrop Driver, but AJ clamps down on a side headlock, desperately attempting to block the maneuver! Cutlass begins clubbing at AJ’s back, but he still holds on tight, Cutlass backs up, and shoots AJ off the ropes, he looks for another lariat, which AJ ducks before attempting a Swinging Neckbreaker… WHICH CUTLASS DUCKS AND SPIKES HIM WITH A BACKDROP DRIVER!!! AJ’S NOT MOVING!! COVER 1-2-THRE- KICKOUT AGAIN!! CUTLASS IMMEDIATELY SLAPS ON THE NAGATA LOCK III!!!
SAM HEWITT
I don’t like the way AJ landed on that Backdrop Driver, he came down hard on that neck of his and now Cutlass has him trapped!
CHAD GOMEZ
What did I say Sambo? This match has completely turned around, and I don’t think AJ’s going to last too much longer if it keeps going like it’s been, his neck is in rough shape!Cutlass cranks back on the hold, turning AJ’s face bright red, kicking his feet trying to muster his strength to escape! Cordell Garner is right on top of it, asking if AJ would like to give it up, to which AJ emphatically shakes his head no! Cutlass wrenches back further on the hold, and AJ begins scooting the hold backwards to try to force it into the ropes! Cutlass drags him back center! AJ turns towards the pressure, trying to use Cutlass’ own strength to roll him towards the ring ropes, but Cutlass rolls through with him, before once again pushing him into the center of the ring! The camera catches Ben Chrenshaw in AJ’s corner with a look of concern spreading across his face staring at the towel looking conflicted...
SAM HEWITT
AJ showing the world just how much he wants to be the ace of Lion's Road! No sign of quitting!
CHAD GOMEZ
That’s not necessarily a virtue Sambo, his pride could shorten his career here. They may need to stop this.
SAM HEWITT
Look at Chrenshaw!Chrenshaw, as the commentary has pointed out is reaching for the towel, and picks it up! The audience begins a “No” chant towards Ben! AJ sees Chrenshaw with the towel and immediately fires up, the referee again asks if he wants to give it up and AJ vehemently replies with “HELL NO!” AJ begins to army crawl towards the ropes… AND GRABS THEM WITH HIS TEETH!! The crowd explodes chanting for AJ Knight as he reaches the ropes, Cutlass backs up looking both surprised and impressed.
SAM HEWITT
By the skin of his teeth! CHAD GOMEZ
Look you can’t take anything away from the heart he’s showing, but like Cutlass has said, AJ’s still got a lot to learn, and it takes more than heart to win against him.Cutlass is clearly exhausted from wrenching on the hold, taking a knee, glaring intently at AJ who is still laying in the ropes holding his neck clearly still in a lot of pain Cutlass advances on him, pulling him away from the ropes into the center of the ring attempting to hook his arms trying once again for the Knee bomber! AJ defends it keeping Cutlass from clasping his hands, AJ takes control of one of Cutlass arms! TEMPLAR STRETCH!!
SAM HEWITT
And the momentum shifts again The Templar Stretch in the middle of the ring!
CHAD GOMEZ
But he doesn’t have it like he wants to have it, his neck is not doing him any favours right now!AJ pulls back on the hold! Cutlass shakes his head as Garner asks if he wants to give it up! Cutlass drags himself towards the bottom rope, only for AJ to turn the hold placing himself between Cutlass and the bottom rope! Cutlass tries to roll the hold backwards to catch AJ in a pin, but AJ sees it coming, and continues rolling sprawling over on Cutlass, holding onto the arm and grabbing onto a front face lock in the center of the ring, and starts laying in knees! Cutlass tries to cover up, he’s attempting to work out of it but his efforts slow, AJ takes side control, BACK INTO THE TEMPLAR STRETCH!!!
SAM HEWITT
Now Cutlass is in real trouble for the first time in the match! Those knees did a number and this could do it...CHAD GOMEZ
Don't count the man out yet...Cutlass is struggling, his hand hovering over the mat! AJ yells out almost imploring him to tap out! Cutlass tries to pull himself to the ropes again, but AJ holds him firm! Julian turns to the side that AJ’s wrenching on, allowing him to reach with his free arm to grab the arm that AJ has over his head, locking in a Guillotine choke! AJ rises to his feet with Cutlass still clamping on the Guillotine, and lifts him up and dropping him with a modified atomic drop! Superkick to the ribs doubles Cutlass over! AJ grabs him and sticks him with a swinging Neckbreaker! And another! He pulls him up still holding the head and drills him with a third! AJ drags Cutlass to his feet coming nose to nose with him, before blasting him on the chin with a roaring forearm! Cutlass falls down to a knee, AJ breathing heavily pulls him up in a front facelock motioning for the end, hammerlocks the arm-KNIGHTFALL!!!
SAM HEWITT
He stuck him!! If he can just cover him this thing could be over!
CHAD GOMEZ
“If” may have been been a good choice of words, here Sam, he looks completely spent right about now, I don’t know if he can get the cover…AJ and Cutlass are both totally motionless, AJ is panting flat on his back, while Cutlass is lying face down, unmoving! AJ rolls Cutlass to his back… He crawls towards him.. Inching closer and closer… and he drapes the arm!
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3!
AJ DID IT!! HE FINALLY GOT HIM!!!!
But wait Garner waves it off! He points AJ to the bottom rope, which has Cutlass’ foot across it! AJ props himself on his elbow and looks around for Jimmy Winner, but he had nothing to do with it this time, AJ tries to drag Cutlass to the center of the ring-AND THE BELL RINGS!!! AJ falls to his back his hands on his head in frustration!!
BRADY ROSSEN
Ladies and gentlemen, the fifteen minute time limit of the second fall has expired! Therefore the score remains tied! SAM HEWITT
Wow! We're into the third stage of this match and still neither man holds an advantage.
CHAD GOMEZ
The first fall was a tactical duel, the second fall a battle of attrition, who knows what we’ll see in the third fall?SAM HEWITT
Interesting point about the time limit Chad, the longest we’ve ever seen AJ in the ring was about 27 minutes in the Roaring Rumble, and we are fast approaching that mark as of the end of the second fall. Cutlass on the other hand has been in a number of 30 minute matches in the past and at the first Black Lion’s Road BOM BA YE a 60 minute match. I’ll be interested to see how conditioning comes into play.The sound of the bell jolts Cutlass awake, as he pulls himself back to his corner, AJ slumps in his corner still looking frustrated, at being so close yet again to beating Cutlass, Chrenshaw places the ice pack on AJ’s neck, trying to calm him down. Jimmy Winner pours a water bottle over Cutlass’ head, he seems to regain his bearings, and gets a grin on his face, clearly enjoying this war he’s engaged himself in. He looks across the ring at AJ who seems to be getting fired up by Ben Chrenshaw’s pep talk which he finishes by echoing his final words to AJ before the Laurentide Cup finals “It’s time to become the lion AJ! Become the lion!” AJ and Cutlass both pull themselves up in their respective corners with the audience roaring “Fight Forever”!
SAM HEWITT
They wanted two out of three falls, because they wanted to know who was the better man, they wanted no questions. We’ve seen two draws tonight, two different ways, now it’s time to settle this!The bell rings for the final fall, Cutlass and Knight come to the center of the ring and once more bump fists as a sign of mutual respect. Julian Cutlass shoots for the takedown but AJ sidesteps it, and takes side control snagging Cutlass’ arm and transitioning into a Fujiwara Armbar, wrenching on it as best he can, until Cutlass rolls forward, securing a Jujigatame! AJ inches over towards the turnbuckle, putting his feet against them he walks up them back to a vertical base floating over into control of Cutlass leg, and into the Wrinkle in Time!! Cutlass manages to grab AJ’s ankle causing him to fall forward, Cutlass shoots forward trying to take AJ’s back, looking for the Rear Naked Choke, but AJ slides under Cutlass between his legs, getting behind him, grabbing him in a waistlock, O’Connor Roll! 1-2-Cutlass pulls AJ backwards into the choke! AJ snakes his arm through, grabbing Cutlass’ wrist before his arm can go behind his head, he manages to roll to his front locking Cutlass in a top wristlock, he pins his arm to the mat and attempts to stomp it as he returns to his feet but Cutlass quickly pulls his arm out of the way and rolls back to his feet.
SAM HEWITT
Both men wasting no time in this final fall, they want the win they want it fast!
CHAD GOMEZ
Well, how much can they have left at this point? If they want a winner, they need to finish this quickly.AJ lunges forward for a lariat, which Cutlass ducks securing a backslide! 1-2-2.9! Cutlass didn’t get him with it this time! Cutlass comes forward as AJ returns to his feet catching Julian Cutlass with and inside cradle!1-2-Cutlass rolls it over! 1-2-Kickout! Cutlass creates some distance between he and AJ. AJ looks for the Superkick but Cutlass ducks it! He hits the ropes BLAZIN’-NO! SUPERKICK!!! AJ BLASTS HIM!! COVER 1-2-KICKOUT WITH AUTHORITY BY THE BLAZIN’ KING!!! He fires up and roars back to his feet!!! Cutlass and AJ come nose to nose again!
SAM HEWITT
He may be leaving Lion’s Road, but this is still his kingdom!CHAD GOMEZ
What a match! Listen to this crowd! Knight and Cutlass start trading forearms! AJ throws a two punch combo to the ribs of Cutlass, knocking the wind out of him! Cutlass grabs AJ into a clinch and starts unloading knees to the midsection, he hits the ropes for the Blazin’ Kick once more but AJ cuts him off with a dropkick! AJ sets him up for Knightfall once more! Cutlass pulls his head free, letting loose a long rapid fire series of Palm Strikes, before blasting AJ with an Enzuigiri! AJ staggers around Cutlass grabs a half-nelson, seizes the chickenwing... AJ tries to wriggle free but Cutlass holds fast! AJ starts throwing elbows into the gut of Cutlass, freeing himself!! AJ turns around, hoisting Cutlass up and running him up onto the top turnbuckle!! AJ decks him with a Leaping Enzuigiri! Cutlass slumps over on the top rope!! AJ climbs up top with him!! He hooks the arm!!! AJ attempts to pull him up and over!!
SAM HEWITT
Could it be time for the Last Crusade?!CHAD GOMEZ
Drastic times call for dras-oh my god! With one last shout of effort, AJ finally gets Cutlass up… THE LAST CRUSADE!!!
THE AVALANCHE TIGER DRIVER CONNECTS!!!
AJ weakly gets up and jackknifes Cutlass to the best of his ability.
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3!
SAM HEWITT
AJ wins! AJ wins!CHAD GOMEZ
Wow...AJ slumps back to the mat completely spent, too tired to process what just happened! Chrenshaw slides into the ring visibly ecstatic at his protege’s triumph, Winner meanwhile steps in to check on Cutlass. AJ seems to slowly but surely realize the gravity of what just happened sets in for him, he hauls himself up and embraces Ben Chrenshaw, who looks taken aback, but slowly a genuine smile spreads across his face! Cutlass slowly begins to stir, realizing that he lost. Jimmy Winner helps Cutlass to his feet. Cutlass nods clearly pleased with the fight he was just in.
SAM HEWITT
Cutlass showed why he was the king for so long tonight. He may have come up short tonight, but there is no one here who can deny the prowess he showed here tonight.Cutlass and AJ come face to face, Cutlass gives AJ a nod before raising his hand to a standing ovation from the audience, Cutlass takes a bow before rolling out to the floor. AJ jumps up on the top rope applauding his childhood hero as he leaves. Leading the crowd in a “Thank you Cutlass” chant! Cutlass smiles before taking another bow as he heads through the curtain.
SAM HEWITT
After tonight, AJ Knight may have solidified his claim to be ace of Lion's Road! What a match! Fans, if you've got energy left - we've got a helluva main event up next! King of Lions Champion Alexander Irvine defending against Carl Whitaker!
