Post by Staff on Jan 23, 2024 9:54:15 GMT
LIVE! From Albany
Monday 29th January
With 5 Nights in the 5 Boroughs wrapped up, the weekly events resume, remaining inside the state of New York for the time being. A recap of recent events was played out, followed by a run down of the night's action before heading straight to ringside for the opening match.
OPENING BOUT
SINGES MATCH
Blake Belladonna v Sally Lambert
The debuting Blake Belladonna was an instant hit with the fans but the chirpy smile was swiftly knocked off her face by a right hook from Lambert. The tattooed Brit loves nothing more than laying one on a wrestler like Blake, and took her to places she knew she’d feel uncomfortable. Belladonna tried to fight back, and landed a few shots here and there but it was a debut to forget as Lambert finished her off with her Up In Smoke (Jumping Cutter) following a heavy whip into the turnbuckle.
Winner: Sally Lambert
LOW CARD
SINGLES MATCH
Myra Rivers v Kimberley Williams
Another debut now, as Myra Rivers came out to greet the crowd. A warm reception was given to both wrestlers as they shook hands pre-match before locking up.
Williams got the early lead but after taking in the fans adulation she was blindsided by a recovering Rivers. However even when on the back foot she kept coming back at the newcomer, and it ebbed back and forth until Rivera reversed a running knee strike, picking up the win her River Driver (Spanish Fly).
Winner: Myra Rivers
BACKSTAGE
Travis Levitt was stood by with Emma Harrington. There was a shared joke over the thumb tacks still being stuck in his body, but he said they were all gone now. He felt confident ahead of tonight's TV Title match, but wasn't underestimating his opponent. He had hoped to go further in the Brass Knuckles Title Tournament but welcomed a fresh opportunity at this belt, and saw it as a sign that he was capable of challenging anyone on their day. He had been in the business long enough to know set backs and defeats shouldn't be dwelled upon. He always focused on the next match and right now that was on Chelse LeClair.
LOW CARD
SINGLES MATCH
Andrew Garrison v Sean Parker
Debut number three now as the popular Sean Parker was greeted like he’d been here since the beginning. Garrison, already in the ring, seemed irked by Parker’s natural charisma and rapport with the fans and didn’t wait for the bell to attack him.
Parker was given a baptism of fire for the first five minutes as Garrison beat him senseless around the ring but a 720 Spinning Roundhouse Kick from nowhere turned it back in his favour. It was a race to their feet now and Parker got the edge, staying on top to see out a big first win with the “Howl of the Sniper Wolf” (Jumping, twisting Tombstone Piledriver).
Winner: Sean Parker
BACKSTAGE
Silas Romero was stood by with Emma Harrington. He was bullish about tonight’s match. Tater wasn’t on his level, he said, but that didn't mean he wouldn't take him seriously. He had already beaten Kore Violet, the former Undisputed Champion. He had been voted Predicted Breakout Star for 2024. It was pretty evident where his Five Lakes career was headed. Why delay the inevitable. Harrington asked what he meant, but he didn’t elaborate. They'll find out soon.
LOWER MID CARD
TELEVISION TITLE MATCH
Chelsea LeClair (c) v Travis Levitt
LeClair’s maiden defence could not have come much tougher than the experienced Levitt. Travis knew she would feel the pressure of this match and humbly encouraged the crowd to applaud her entrance, deep down knowing it would put extra weight upon her shoulders.
Once the match got underway there were no pleasantries as they twist and turned one another inside out in a high quality encounter. Neither one could gain full advantage as it rapidly swung back and forth at a moments notice. But LeClair pulled it out the bag for an impressive first defence, locking on a Figure 8 she calls "TTFO" (Tap The F*** Out) right in the centre of the ring. Levitt hung on for a long time but the ropes were too far out of reach eventually had to concede.
He pulled himself to his feet and extended his hand to LeClair, exchanging some words of encouragement as she moved forward with her reign, before leaving the ring to a rousing reception himself.
Winner: Chelsea LeClair (Still Television Champion)
BACKSTAGE
Sean Parker was being interviewed following his win earlier in the night. He said he'd come to Five Lakes Wrestling to face to the best of the best, and no disrespect to Andrew Garrison, there would be tougher challenges for him in the months ahead here. Asked who he'd like to face he said there were one or two on his bucket list, but he wasn't going to say just yet. If he kept racking up the wins then nature would take it's cause.
MID CARD
SINGLES MATCH
Chris Styles v El Gigante Hawaiano
The masked colossus was stood in the ring waiting for Styles, who took the time to sign autographs and greet the fans on his way to the ring. When he entered he stood toe to toe with the man before him and looked unusually small against the giant.
Unsurprisingly he was tossed around the ring like a rag doll to begin with, unable to compete with the big man's strength. But Styles has been around the game enough to know there was more than one way to skin a cat, and started ducking and diving his attacks to land a few of his own on the lower body. Gradually it was enough to ground him and he was on top from there on out. As it looked like he was about to close in on victory though he was jumped by El Gigante’s partner in crime, Juan Fall, and an unprovoked two on one attack began as the bell rang out in disqualification. Styles fought back valiantly but the two masked men overpowered him, until the most bizarre twist of events. Ryan Samuels, of all people, came hurtling to the ring, not to inflict further pain, but instead started cleaning house on the Masked Hipsters! A few right hooks from the Midwest Nightmare was enough for them to scarper, as Samuels called them out from the middle of the ring, but they didn't return.
Winner: Chris Styles by disqualification
BACKSTAGE
Chelsea LeClair was backstage with Myra Rivers. Myra was pleased for her protege. She had taken the disappointment of defeat in Toronto and used it to her advantage. Now she was reaping the rewards. Chelsea said this was a stepping stone. She knew people would be gunning for her, but looked forward to defending her title every week. Myra knew all too well what that was like, and promised to have her back when time came.
UPPER MID CARD
TAG TEAM MATCH
Gabriel Landry & Marisol Vilaro v Kore Violet and Colin Moriarty
Debuting Moriarty needed no introduction. Anyone familiar with Kore knew exactly who and what he was, as the much loathed couple came out together. The jeers didn’t stop though as their equally unpopular opponents soon followed, stopping half way down the ramp to pose for the crowd, whether they wanted it or not.
Once the match got underway both sides seemed to have a natural chemistry inside the ring, and made good use of regular tags when they were on top. There was no end of underhand tactics and foul play, unsurprisingly, as they each tried to get one over on one another but despite the predictable lack of sportsmanship the finish was a clean one, as Moriarty landed his Pale Hand of Death on Landry to secure a fine debut win. He grabbed his woman and kissed her in the middle of thing, raising his middle finger to the crowd as he did so.
Winners: Kore Violet and Colin Moriarty
BACKSTAGE
Ryan Samuels is charging through the backstage area when he gets stopped by Emma Harrington. She asks why he interfered on behalf of Chris Styles tonight.
‘Chris Whatnow?’ He bellows. ‘I didn’t done help anyone out there but myself. I been saying for weeks now that old fat ass Mauna was looking over me. I could smell it. I’d know that stank anywhere. And I’m gonna prove it, watch if I don’t!’
He charges past all the way to Frank James’ office.
‘Fred James you listen here and you listen here good! I done retired that Hawaiian idiot but I’m telling you he’s back here. I’m guessing you know something about it too, hot damn! I bet you’re in cahoots.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, Samuels,' said James, dismissively.
‘Hot damn Frank Jones do I need to spell it out to you!? I don’t speak no Mexicanese but I bet if you translate El Gigante Hawaiano into good ol’ American it means Big Fat Hawaiian Dumbass or something. He’s here and I’m gonna prove it. I want that big masked oaf in a match!’
Just then Chris Styles comes barging into the office himself.
‘James, I’m a man of principle and that ambush don’t sit right with me,' he began, referring to his match earlier in the night. James paused for a moment, before coming up with an idea.
‘Well this is interesting. You two want the same thing. Ok ok.. here’s what I’m thinking. Ryan Samuels and Chris Styles are gonna take on the Masked Hispters in two weeks time. There, done. Be on your way.’
Styles and Samuels look at each other, not knowing whether to be pleased or disappointed. Styles begins to speak, extending his hand for a shake, ‘Samuels, I know we haven’t always gotten along but I’m confident-‘
‘Chris Whatnow?’ He bellows. ‘I didn’t done help anyone out there but myself. I been saying for weeks now that old fat ass Mauna was looking over me. I could smell it. I’d know that stank anywhere. And I’m gonna prove it, watch if I don’t!’
He charges past all the way to Frank James’ office.
‘Fred James you listen here and you listen here good! I done retired that Hawaiian idiot but I’m telling you he’s back here. I’m guessing you know something about it too, hot damn! I bet you’re in cahoots.’
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about, Samuels,' said James, dismissively.
‘Hot damn Frank Jones do I need to spell it out to you!? I don’t speak no Mexicanese but I bet if you translate El Gigante Hawaiano into good ol’ American it means Big Fat Hawaiian Dumbass or something. He’s here and I’m gonna prove it. I want that big masked oaf in a match!’
Just then Chris Styles comes barging into the office himself.
‘James, I’m a man of principle and that ambush don’t sit right with me,' he began, referring to his match earlier in the night. James paused for a moment, before coming up with an idea.
‘Well this is interesting. You two want the same thing. Ok ok.. here’s what I’m thinking. Ryan Samuels and Chris Styles are gonna take on the Masked Hispters in two weeks time. There, done. Be on your way.’
Styles and Samuels look at each other, not knowing whether to be pleased or disappointed. Styles begins to speak, extending his hand for a shake, ‘Samuels, I know we haven’t always gotten along but I’m confident-‘
‘Jesus wept. Don’t you ever stop talking. Blah blah blah,’ interjects Samuels before walking off.
HEADLINER
SINGLES MATCH
TATER v Silas Romero
Romero picked up an impressive win over the former Undisputed Champion last time out, and was looking to make it back to back victories here in a bid to catapult himself into one of the title pictures. Both of these men were recipients of awards at the end of year supershow, with big things expected for both in 2024, but as this one got underway there was only one man following that course as Romero swept the floor with his opponent. Tater rallied back midway though, but Romero pulled it back in his favour and set things up nicely for GKFO (Ripcord Rolling Elbow) there was no coming back from.
Winner: Silas Romero
MAIN EVENT
PURE RULES
Jack McGrath v Journeyman Phillips
McGrath put the fear of god into many of his adversaries but Journeyman Phillips was void of most emotions. Not only that, he’d seen more than most in his long and varied career, and the prospect of facing a man of McGrath's calibre was something he relished these days. The rules were relayed to the fans as a reminder of what this match entailed, as things got underway. McGrath
Phillips had to use two rope breaks early on, but took advantage of his one closed fist punch to the face to get himself out of trouble. Phillips was on top now, and used his wide ranging arsenal to pile the pressure on McGrath. But McGrath was a cannier operator than people expected, and reversed things back in his favour with a Half Nelson Suplex. From there he remained in control, and sealed an impressive main event victory with his Cold Snap (Cradle Piledriver). The crowd half cheered a sterling match up, but the boos still echoed around the arena for these much loathed competitors. McGrath didn't celebrate too much. For him this was strictly business, as he made his way up the entrance ramp, stopping briefly to look back at the crowd and his opponent, before disappearing through the curtain.
Winner: Jack McGrath
Phillips had to use two rope breaks early on, but took advantage of his one closed fist punch to the face to get himself out of trouble. Phillips was on top now, and used his wide ranging arsenal to pile the pressure on McGrath. But McGrath was a cannier operator than people expected, and reversed things back in his favour with a Half Nelson Suplex. From there he remained in control, and sealed an impressive main event victory with his Cold Snap (Cradle Piledriver). The crowd half cheered a sterling match up, but the boos still echoed around the arena for these much loathed competitors. McGrath didn't celebrate too much. For him this was strictly business, as he made his way up the entrance ramp, stopping briefly to look back at the crowd and his opponent, before disappearing through the curtain.
Winner: Jack McGrath