October 28th Event Results

After a long hiatus, the NRWL returned with the start of its fifth season on October 26th, 2012. Most of last season's roster returned but there were also a few new faces as well as some returning veterans.

The Season Five kickoff started with a bang! Fireworks shot through the arena. Fans were jumping out their seats. The NRWL Arena had come to life once again. To kick things off, fans got a taste of the old and the new as newcomer Katsutoshi entered the ring with his valet, Leiko. His opponent, the returning Balance, came down to the ring and pumped up the already excited crowd. The match was fast paced. Balance, the veteran, didn't show any ring rust as the match started but was a bit unprepared for the swift attacks from Katsutoshi. The match swayed in each man's favor throughout the match but as Balance tried to finish off his opponent, Leiko distracted the ref, preventing a pinfall. Ultimately, Katsutoshi was able to pin Balance to start his NRWL career off with great momentum.

During the buildup to the event, Tommy V challenged returning Masters of Wrestling legend Tiger Johnson to a match. Never one to back down from a fight, Tiger accepted and showed Tommy that the old dog still had some tricks. Tiger came out strong with big punches and thunderous slams. Tommy evened the battle by using his speed advantage and technical prowess to keep Tiger off his feet. Despite the attempt, he wasn't able to keep Tiger Johnson down for long. Tiger delivered a massive powerbomb, driving Tommy V seven feet to the mat. Tommy was unable to kick out of the pin that followed.

Tommy's protégé, Marcus, had made a challenge of his own. He went after Mark Blood. Both men came out to the ring hungry. Marcus, a former student of Flawless Fred, and Mark Blood, the son of the legendary wrestler Mike Blood wanted to prove that they weren't in the shadow of their predecessors. The match started with a back and forth struggle. Mark Blood delivered more strikes and reversals than Marcus but Marcus made even second count by delivering hard hitting slams. Marcus begins to control the match and while Mark Blood tried to mount a comeback, he was stopped by the Marc of Perfection. Marcus walked away with a strong sign that he is on his own path now.

Last season, a complete unknown named Mikey Armstrong appeared on the scene and despite all odds, went on to remain undefeated. This season, a new wrestler named Jacob Washingon appeared on the scene with a lot of hype and even more confidence. He promised to end Mikey Armstrong's undefeated streak. Both men looked impressive but it was Washington who controlled the early minutes of the match. Armstrong comes back strong and nearly gets a pinfall. Washington, getting a second wind, overpowered Armstrong. Washington slammed Armstrong hard to the mat and in a show of confidence, dragged his opponent to the other side of the ring where he pinned him for the win.

Bruno Kowalski had begun to train with returning legend Max Destruction and their alliance was on someone's radar. The Sons of Darkness, led by their manager Nick Belhor, challenged the powerhouse team to a tag team match. Apollyon and Abbadon of the Sons of Darkness dominated their opponents throughout the match. They came at Bruno and Max with a determination that the NRWL hasn't seen the previous season. Max is weakened by the SoD onslaught but managed to get a tag to his partner. Bruno valiantly tries to get control of the match but is dominated in the ring. After succumbing to Darkness Falls, it appeared that the Sons of Darkness would be victorious, however, Max Destruction broke up the pin attempt. In the midst of the breakup attempt, Max inadvertently knocked out the referee. Max begins brawling with Apollyon on the outside of the ring. Abbadon is caught off guard and Bruno pins him for an upset victory.

Last season, one of the most talked about rivalries in the NRWL was between two men who were originally tag tem partners. Most people expected Marty Anderson and Slugger Malone to be a long running and successful tag team. Malone had other ideas and turned his back on his partner. After a series of matches, the score was even. The rivalry was finally going to be settled in a Last Man Standing match. Marty Anderson and his former partner, now known by the name Killer Malone, started their brutal match with a lot of fists. Malone managed to keep control of the match. While it looked like Anderson may have been able to mount a comeback, a knee to the back of the skull knocked him out cold. The fans counted along with the referee but Anderson was unable to get up. Killer Malone stood over his former partner and celebrated his victory.

Prior to Season Three, John Fraust disappeared from the wrestling world. The announcement that he would be returning to the NRWL after all this time shocked and excited fans. He returned to the ring that was his home for so many years and immediately unleashed a verbal assault on the NRWL and its fans proclaiming the company had become a watered down version of its former self. Taking offense to this, Hardcore Adam, another legendary wrestler whose roots go back to Super Century Strong Fighter, came down to challenge Fraust. A brawl ensued and an Extreme Rules match was set for this event. Hardcore Adam came out to the ring with the fan's support. John Fraust confidently walked to the ring determined to beat his opponent. Once the bell rang, Fraust controlled the early part of the match. The tides turned when the action spilled to the outside. Hardcore Adam found a table under the ring and beat Fraust mercilessly with it. The action returned to the ring where Adam was able to gain a pinfall. After the match, in a surprising show of respect, Fraust congratulated Adam and raised his hand in the middle of the ring.

The closing months of Season Four included a unique "Colors Tournament", where Team Blue and Team Red battled for victory. The team captain would challenge NRWL Champion, Slam Jackson, at the final event of the season. Johnny Young's Team Red won the tournament and went on to win the title. During his victory speech he promised to treat the title with respect and defend it against all comers. Ash, captain of Team Blue, challenged Johnny's promise and the match was set to kick off Season Five. Both men looked determined to win. In a hard hitting match, Ash managed to maintain control early on. Johnny tried to reverse course but Ash's determination was strong. Ash pinned Johnny, becoming the NRWL Champion for the first time in his career. Ash celebrated with fans and ushered in the fifth season of the NRWL with a new attitude.

Eastern Beginning

*Jay approaches Katsutoshi and Leiko backstage*

Jay:  Excuse me, Katsutoshi!  Uh…..Konnichiwa?  Um…… *to Leiko* Are you his translator?

Katsutoshi:  I can speak English, Jay!  Geeze!

Jay:  Oh, sorry!  I didn’t—

Katsutoshi:  Just because I’m from Japan doesn’t mean I can’t speak a different language.  In fact, unlike the United States, we actually teach our children foreign languages!

Jay:  I’m sorry, Katsutoshi.  I just wanted to know your thoughts on your match with Balance tonight?

Katsutoshi:  My thoughts?  Your job is really useless, you know that Jay?  Here’s my thoughts.  Everybody is underestimating me.  That’s fine.  They’re the ones who are going to have to eat their words when I rise to the top.  I get that this is a business and corporate already has their prima-donna favorites picked out and ready to be marketed and sold – some before they have even stepped a foot on the canvas.  But that’s OK.  I don’t mind starting at the bottom and working my way up.  I’m in this garbage match with a garbage wrestler, Balance.  I’ll make short work of him and kick his head off Mortal Kombat style.  Within a few months, you’ll see the kids in the seats wearing shirts with my face on them, and waving rising-sun flags and chanting “JA-PAN!  JA-PAN!  JA-PAN!”  And then you can feel special and go around saying that you “knew” me back before I was the man on top.  But for now, you can sit back and watch it all unfold right before your eyes.

*Katsutoshi walks away.  Leiko walks up to Jay and gets really close to him.  Jay is visibly uncomfortable and Leiko leans in really close to his face.  She then snaps her gum incredibly louds, startling Jay, before she abruptly turns and walks away.  Scene ends with Jay looking confused.*

2 Elements Reappear

*Jay is in the interview area.*

Jay:  Hello ladies and gentlemen, I’m back here with Tommy V. and Marcus.  Well guys, it’s been a while, how does it feel to be back?

Tommy:  Well, it’s kinda lame that you’re still here, Jay.

Jay:  Well, I—

Tommy:  Quiet, this is our time.  Marcus and I, we’re back.  A lot has changed in the landscape of the NRWL, hasn’t it?  It’s bigger and more popular than when we were last seen, right Marcus?

Marcus:  Yeah, though the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Tommy:  This season is interesting in that it’s putting wily old veterans, mixed with experienced players, mixed with brand new talent.  And none of them seem to really like each other.

Marcus:  Tommy and I, we come from what most people consider the BEST era of the NRWL.  So one of us is going to take on some old-head, and one of us is going to take on one of the new pansies.

Jay:  Awful lot of “we” and “us” talk—

Tommy: Jay.  Be quiet. This isn’t your time to be speaking.  I’m going to be taking on that 7-foot living fossil, Tiger Johnson.

Marcus:  And I’ll be going against the biggest cry-baby the NRWL has evern seen, Mark Blood.

Tommy:  You’re lucky, Marc.  You’re actually going to have a match.  I don’t think Tiger will be able to walk all the way down to the ring without re-breaking his knee.  So my match is going to be over before it even starts.

Marcus:  Uh…do you realize I’m facing Mark Blood, right?  Mark.  Blood.  At least Tiger Johnson will have the guts to try to make it to the ring.  Mark Blood will probably go cry and hide under some covers, wailing for his daddy to bail him out, while also griping about how he’s some sort of technical wrestler that we should acknowledge.  Ha!

Tommy:  As you can see, Jay.  These matches will be fairly one-sided and over with very quickly.

Marcus:  We apologize in advance if fans feel they’re not getting their money’s worth by getting cheated out of 2 actual matches.  But it is what it is.

Tommy:  And that’s that.  Bye, Jay!

*Tommy and Marcus walk off-scene*

Jay:  Strong words from two strong individuals…or maybe from one strong team?  It’ll be interesting to see if they can back up their boasts!  Tune in this Sunday to find out!

A New Face of the Franchise?

*”Breathe Into Me* by The Red starts playing over the arena speakers and Jacob Washington makes his way down to the ring.  He takes a microphone and looks around for a few seconds before speaking*

Jacob:  Well, for those of you who don’t know who I am, my name is Jacob Washington.  I was signed for the NRWL’s Season 5 because the management of this company knew that it needed a real kick in the ass.  And I’m the man who’s here to do that kind of ass-kicking!  This season we’re seeing some new faces, but we’re also seeing some familiar ones.  It really is a shame the NRWL went and wasted so much money signing a bunch of washed-up has-beens like Marcus, Tommy V, John Fraust, and—hell I’ve even seen WarHead walking around backstage!

*crowd erupts into cheers at the mention of WarHead*

Jacob:  Oh..ok.  Mm hmm.  *sarcastically, mocking the fans, twirling his index finger in the air* Yeah.  WarHead.  Woooo!  Yeah!  Go WarHead!  You’re the hottest item in the NRWL!  I sleep with a cardboard cutout of you!  Yeah!  *returns to seriousness*  See?  That’s what’s wrong with all of you people.  You worship guys who have no business even having their name known by you.  Tell me, what has WarHead done since he left the IRW?  Yeah, I went there!  But really, what has he done?  You can say he won the NRWL Championship in Season 1 as the first champion.  Yup, he won it on a fluky Fatal 4 way match, and proceeded to lost the title almost immediately after and hasn’t done crap since!  Yet you people adore him!

Then last season the NRWL brings in a whole new roster and you put your hearts behind me like Slam Jackson and Ash.  Together, they’ve amounted to a whole lot of nothing.  Slam might’ve won the title, but became invisible immediately after.  And once he lost his title, the fickle *sardonica, faux-stupid voice* “Slamnation” *end sardonicism* abandoned him.  Now look, he’s all depressed and left the company.  I’m sure we’ll find him on a sidewalk somewhere with a “The End Is Near” sign draped over his body, selling pencils form a cup.  And Ash?  When your biggest accomplishment is being the captain of a losing team, I think it’s time to find a new line of work.

It really is sad and pathetic when the best thing that came out of Season 5 was a scrawny little imp named Mikey Armstrong who lucked his way to a couple of surprise upsets.  If that’s the best you’ve got, it’s no wonder management went out to find someone like me, to put some respectability back into this roster.  You people need me, even though you really don’t deserve m----“

Voice:  Quiet.  Shut up.  Stop talking.

*Mikey Armstrong walks out from backstage and stands at the top of the ramp*

Mikey:  You know, Jac Dub, you were doing fine right up until the end there.  WarHead, Ash, Slam, sure I’ll grant you their not the greatest people to have to make your roster look good.  Where you lost me and everyone else who has three functioning brain cells is where you said that it was sad and pathetic that I was the best thing to come out of Season 5, while in the same paragraph declaring yourself some kind of godsend.  Do you not see what’s wrong this that??  I am undefeated.  I am amazing.  And I am a juggernaut.  And you…will be looking for a new line of work once everyone sees that you can’t hack it.

Jacob:  Is that what you think?  Alright!  You’re going to be my first stepping stone.  I’m gonna swat you like the annoying mosquito that you are!  I’m a pure athlete, and you’re just a shifty, shady, shaggy little dweeb!  After I’m done with you, the only reason people will call you amazing is that it’s amazing that you’re able to walk after the beating you’re going to get.

Mikey:  Boy, this sounds familiar.  Where have I heard this before?  …..Oh yeah!  From EVERY opponent I ever faced!  Keep dreaming Jacob, but try not to cry too hard when you finally wake up and realize it all was just you playing make-believe!

*Mikey’s music hits and he walks backstage.  Jabob stands in the ring, with a scowl on his face*

A Tape

*Bruno Kowalski and Max Destruction are in a back hallway.  The two are discussing technique as Max demonstrates to Bruno the motion of a new type of headlock he’s been perfecting.  Their session is interrupted by an arena intern*

Intern:  Excuse me, sirs.  But I found this outside leaning up against one of the doors to the arena.

*The intern hands Bruno a cruddy, brown manila envelope.  Written on the front of it in charcoal is “BRUNO AND MAX.”  Bruno opens up the envelope and pulls out a VHS tape.  Bruno and Max look at each other, puzzled.  They look for a VHS player.   After 10 minutes, they finally find one hooked up to an old CRT television.  It put in the VHS tape and press play.  After a few seconds of static, a video starts.  It’s Nick Belhor, standing in a front of shoddy table.  The walls are cracked with peeling paint.  Room is illuminated (barely) by a single florescent light, that buzzing constantly and flickers regularly.  Towering menacingly over Nick’s left and right shoulders, is Apollyon and Abbadon. *

Nick:  To the men who refer to themselves as “The Polish Powerhouse” and “Max Destruction,” this is a warning to you.  At the next event, you will find yourself confronted by the Sons of Darkness.  You foolishly and erroneously proclaim yourselves to be a powerhouse and destruction.  Look behind me and see that, the Sons of Darkness embody those terms, not you two termites.  This Sunday, you will be stepped on and you will then be forgotten.  Enjoy the last few moments of your wrestling careers, gentlemen.

*tape cuts off.  Bruno puts his hands on his hips and shakes his head in angry disagreement while Max folds his arms with a scowl on his face.  The two look at each other, shake forearms, and walk away in the direction of a training room.*

The Return Of John Fraust

*The fans in the NRWL Arena hear music begin to play and an ominous video begins to play on the screen. When the word "Fraust" appears on the screen, the crowd erupts into cheers. After a few moments, John Fraust appears at the top of the stage and stands there surveying the crowd. For the first time in years, the legendary John Fraust has returned to the NRWL. He is wearing a classic "You Suck!" t-shirt, the name of the stable he was once a part of so many years before. Despite the throwback shirt, he appears to be a changed man. He looks more weathered and wise. He is no longer the young wrestler who last stepped into the ring before Season Three. This is a man who has returned with a goal in mind. He walks down to the ramp with a laser focus on the ring. He climbs in and grabs a microphone from the ring announcer outside the ring. Fraust stands there for a full minute waiting for the crowd to calm down. Finally, he speaks....*

John Fraust: So this is the NRWL in 2012.

*The crowd begins to cheer again.*

JF: Do you remember... remember my name?

*The crowd starts chanting "Fraust!" over and over again. Fraust looks out at the crowd with a stone face.*

JF: So you do remember. It's funny. It's been a very, very long time. There are probably a lot of questions about my absence and in time they will be revealed but the most important thing that you all should be asking is why? And why now? That I can answer for you now. You see, when I stepped away, the NRWL was at its peak. Things were good. There were some big stars, big names, that carried the company and it was only going up from there. But then, what happened? The NRWL is now nine years old but only on its fifth season. There was an awfully large gap there. But it did come back. The great NRWL finally made its return.... only it didn't. It turns out that this NRWL isn't really great at all.

*The fans begin to boo.*

JF: It's true. The NRWL came back but it brought no stars with it. Where did everyone go? Beats me but the only recognizable face was Johnny Young, a man who was an overhyped, underwhelming wrestler at best. All the other guys had no identity at all and because of it, the NRWL had no identity as a whole. And as for Johnny Young? He's the champion now! That's a problem. I helped build this place and the legacy has been completely tarnished. And worst of all, you fans accept it. Shame on all of you for accepting this watered down product. It's truly sad that you keep this mess alive when you know things could be so much better.

*The fans, now booing loudly, seem to have no effect. Fraust merely shakes his head and looks down at the mat for a moment.*

JF: It gets worse, you know. The suits seem to at least agree that they hired a bunch of nobodies to be their stars so they hired back some old faces. Only, look who they brought back? Hardcore Adam? Tiger Johnson? Marcus? None of these guys were worth anything then and they certainly aren't now. After I heard that this was going on I knew I had to stop it. Someone needs to step in and save the NRWL. Not the wrestlers, not you disappointing fans, but the legacy of the NRWL itself. That's why I am here now, to be the one man army that pulls this company up from the pit of irrelevance it is teetering on and ---

*Music beings to play and the fans start cheering when Hardcore Adam comes out to the ring. Adam slaps hands with a few fans on the way to the ring, however, he never takes his eyes off of John Fraust. He grabs a microphone from ringside and climbs into the ring.*

Hardcore Adam: Says the man who never was NRWL Champion. Says the man who bailed out on the NRWL when he realized that his scheme to put himself at the top of the heap failed. Oh, the fans remember you, John Fraust. The hardcore legend himself who one day, out of the blue, thought that buddying up with Mike Blood and looking like the model "champion wrestler" would bring him success. That didn't happen though. I know. I was there. You watched as opportunity knocked on other, more honest people's, doors. You took your ball and went home. Now, years later, you decide that you are still better than everyone else and it's up to you to fix what isn't even broken. I've got news for you, Fraust. The talent backstage right now is more than capable to carry the NRWL for the next decade. A lot of us came back because we wanted to be a part of the new golden era. I don't know if you noticed, but the NRWL is more successful now than it was before. The crowds are bigger. There's more intense energy in the ring than ever before. The only thing that needs to be fixed around here is your attitude and I'm the guy who is going to do it.

*The crowd goes wild as two legends stand face to face in the ring on the verge of exploding into a brawl.*

JF: You've made a huge mistake, Adam. You think you're hardcore. Why don't you prove it? You and me. One on one. Extreme Rules.

HA: And I thought you'd never ask. See you at the next event, savior.

*Fraust smiles and begins to turn away but then turns back and sucker punches Adam in the jaw. Hardcore Adam retaliates and both men trade blows. Hardcore Adam is clotheslined out of the ring. John Fraust slides out of the ring but before he can continue his attack, Adam quickly pulls a kendo stick out from under the ring apron and jabs him in the gut with it. Adam begins to crack the kendo stick against Fraust's shoulders and back. Fraust runs to another side of the ring and pulls out a sledgehammer. Adam picks up the steel steps and both men begin sparring with words. Before they can resume combat, several wrestlers from backstage break up the fight. Both men argue with each other as they are pulled away. The fans cheer wildly and can't wait until they get to see the continuation of the match in just a few short days.*