The HAW Theme played and pyro kicked the show off to a thunderous roar from the crowd.
Edward Findleton: Welcome to HAW One Way Trip! We’re in Atlanta, Georgia, tonight and I’m being joined by THE Casey Gains and Eve Solace!
THE Casey Gains: Thank you Edward, and Eve, if you don’t mind, I’m going to go over the advertised men’s matches first. Our main event will be Crash MuscleGate challenging Douglas Brunswick for the World Championship. We’ve got The Samurais of Power and Kyle Higgins against The Shadow Hand, The Visitors defend the Tag Titles against Cole Arcane and Pastor James, and finally Scarred Badger won his tournament and challenges Handsome Harvey Allison for the National Championship!
Eve Solace: And on the women’s side, Lela LaCruse tries to take the World title from Penny “The Hammer” Downs, The Stable will try to hold off The Dystopians in a Tag Title Match, The McDonald Siblings look to settle the score with my commentary partners, Georgios Stanellis and Kitty Kayleen, and as Casey was mentioning a National Championship tournament, the same situation occurred on Lockup, with No Nonsense Bethany Watts taking on Monica Stone to decide who the first ever Women’s National Champion will be!
Edward Findleton: And that match is kicking the show off!
Monica Stone entered first, walking down to the arena reading a book labelled “HAW Official Rulebook.” Bethany Watts followed, a focused gaze on the ring, loosening her shoulders up, and never taking her eyes off Stone.
Edward Findleton: The final to the tournament is finally here, and one of these women will be the first HAW National Champion!
The match was a lot of Monica Stone playing defense, trying to find the proper opening, but Watts was unrelenting in her pursuit and attacks. Stone managed to pull the ropes down when Watts charged her, sending her outside the ring. As referee Mira Levenberg began to count and Watts recuperated, Stone went over to her HAW rulebook, and started flipping through it. She struggled a bit trying to find a page, then smiled. Carved into a few pages was a small vial of green liquid. Monica Stone stood up, and turned around right into Bethany Watts.
Eve Solace: Monica Stone looks like she’s been caught in the act of whatever she had planned!
A panicked Stone tried to put the vial into her mouth, but Watts grabbed her arm and then threw the vial away. Watts grabbed Stone, and hit the Backbreaker. She covered her, and picked up the pinfall to win the championship.
Eve Solace: Bethany Watts did it! She’s the first ever HAW Women’s National Champion!
THE Casey Gains: I don’t know what the rulebook says about green liquids but regardless, it didn’t work out for Monica Stone, and I can’t see Mira Levenberg overturning this match!
Edward Findleton: A big congratulations to Bethany Watts, with a well deserved victory tonight! But coming up next, we have a big four way match, as The Samurais of Power take on The Shadow Hand!
Sensei Onaga, Ozzie Reagan, Trickshot, and their often ally Kyle Higgins started making their way to the ring. The Samurais of Power were in their normally good spirits, slapping hands with the fans and getting the crowd pumped up. The mood changed when The Shadow Hand, Jonah Webb, Peter “Carnage” Horn, Jet Black, and Demon Lord Lenin May, walked through the curtain. There were no smiles, and Webb was barking orders to each of the three members on the way down.
Eve Solace: This is a one fall match. It’s tough to get that when you have three people who can break it up, but all it takes is a moment for this match to end!
The match started off strong for the Samurai’s of Power, making frequent tags, and forcing the opponents tags to be between Webb, Black, and May. The tide turned when Jonah Webb managed to take Onaga off guard with his Arm Trap Neckbreaker. Webb was too hurt to do the pin, but managed to tag Peter “Carnage” Horn just as Onaga made a tag to Higgins. An angry Horn quickly got into the ring and caught a charging Higgins with the Side Sitout Powerslam. Trickshot rushed in, only to be met with the same fate, and then Ozzie Reagan followed the exact pattern. A wounded Onaga stumbled his feet, and Horn hit a final Side Sitout Powerslam.
Edward Findleton: Horn has just single handedly decimated the Samurais of Power!
Horn picked up each member of the Samurais, placed them on top on Higgins, and covered all four, picking up the victory.
THE Casey Gains: Absolutely unbelievable. Peter Horn had been a force to reckon with before, but now that he has The Shadow Hand behind him…I’m not sure if anyone can stop him.
Edward Findleton: A fine statement match! And speaking of statement matches…we have two unadvertised matches that will be taking place, as Moonlight will be taking on Sabrina Nova!
Sabrina Nova’s music started up, and was on her way down to the ring, when from behind, Smiling Sally attacked her. As the beatdown continued on Sabrina Nova, Moonlight came out with her laptop. She pointed to the lit up collar that was on Sally’s neck, typed a on the computer, and Sally suddenly stopped the attack. Moonlight continued to the ring and Sally obediently followed.
Moonlight: It looks like I unfortunately don’t have an opponent tonight. What a shame. I guess it’s time to declare myself the victor!
Moonlight looked towards ring announcer Bradley Wallace, who seemed hesitant, until she pointed at Sally, who locked eyes on Wallace.
Bradley Wallace: The winner of this match-
He was cut off by Kherti Bhakta’s music, and the White Tiger started sprinting down to the ring. Getting in, she appeared to be challenging Moonlight. After a few moments of deliberation, Moonlight nodded in agreement.
Edward Findleton: It looks like we have an unadvertised, unadvertised match!
As the match started, Moonlight fought well against the former champion. Throughout the match, Kherti seemed to always be keeping an eye on Smiling Sally, who stood still and emotionless outside the ring, staring straight ahead. That simple distraction allowed Moonlight to eventually find an opening, gain momentum, and hit Kherti with the Gourdbuster to win the match.
Eve Solace: A great victory for Moonlight! Some might call this an upset, but as someone watching her these past few years, I can tell you, this woman is skilled in the ring.
THE Casey Gains: And skilled with…well, whatever she’s using on Smiling Sally. The collar is still lit up a bright green, and I think that means Moonlight is going to have a strong ally in her corner for some time.
Edward Findleton: Well it’s time to move on to unadvertised match number two!
Tyler Ford made his entrance, with various steampunk imagery shown on the jumbotron.
Edward Findleton: We saw Tyler Ford under the name The Venator last year, and he’s shown to be a great technical wrestler.
THE Casey Gain: I’ve seen him wrestle before, and I agree, but we need to watch how he does in HAW, and not under the influence of aliens.
His opponent, El Termitas II, accompanied by El Espectro, followed.
Eve Solace: These two have been working together as a tag team recently in VCW, trying to get some chemistry going in preparation for HAW this year. I think El Termitas II has the advantage in being more in ring ready tonight.
The match started pitting the two conflicting styles of El Termitas II’s high flying luchador moves against Tyler Ford’s ground game technical wrestling. Ford eventually managed to wear Termitas down, and locked in a Cattle Mutilation, forcing Termitas to tap out.
Ford celebrated his first true victory in HAW, as El Espectro helped El Termitas II to his feet. As Ford turned to see Termitas in the ring, El Termitas II extended his hand for a handshake. Tyler Ford reciprocated, but the handshake quickly ended when Termitas kicked Ford with a low blow.
Edward Findleton: Oh come on! It was a fair one on one match!
Termitas and Espectro had a brief conversation and came to an understanding: Destroy Tyler Ford. El Espectro hit an Inverted Stomp Facebreaker and Termitas delivered a Standing Shiraunai. The two continued stomping until security came to break it up, forcing the duo out of the ring as Ford was checked out.
Backstage, Harvey Allison was pacing back and forth in front Strawberry Bates Hill.
Strawberry Bates Hill: …Look, I can-
Harvey Allison: Stop!
Strawberry Bats Hill: He-
Harvey Allison: Nope! Shut it! Do you realize what happened last week? Do you realize what you caused? You put me in danger of being permanently disfigured instead of you! My back still has marks from those thumbtacks! So I have a question, it’s a simple one really. How are you supposed to learn from me if I’m out injured?! If you ever display that type of cowardice again…you’re gone.
Hill solemnly nodded in agreement.
Edward Findleton: Some high stakes for both the champion, and his lackey! We’ll get to that later, but next, it’s the Women’s Tag Team championship!
The Stable made their usual entrance, with Zoey Chambers taking a fan sign making fun of the Dystopians into the ring and parading it around, as Hazel Glover and Jenna Ingram prepared. Then, the lights in the arena dimmed, and lasers started to shine all over the arena until converging on the stage, forming a vertical grid. The grid started to move backwards until it seemed to scan over two figures, Dark Raven and Void-N, the Dystopians. The challengers walked down to the ring in lock step, staring straight ahead until they split at the bottom of the ramp, each taking an opposite side of the ring to enter on.
As the match began with Jenna and Void-N, Void-N was careful to maneuver herself near herself so Jenna’s back was to Dark Raven. Dark Raven then jumped into the ring and attacked Ingram from behind, and the Dystopians were able to get a few shots on Jenna until referee Brenda Moses forced Dark Raven back to her corner. However, Void-N quickly turned her attention to Hazel Glover, catching her by surprise with an elbow and knocking her off the apron. Dark Raven left her corner, and now the Dystopians were beating down Hazel.
THE Casey Gains: The Dystopians are acting like a pack of hyenas!
The match continued this way, with the Dystopians manipulating the match and alternating between each opponent for two on one attacks. The unorthodox strategy paid off as while the Stable was able to make the occasional tag, momentum never got established, and Void-N eventually pinned Jenna Ingram after a Corkscrew Neckbreaker.
Edward Findleton: And we’ve got new tag team champions, Void-N and Dark Raven, The Dystopians!
Eve Solace: The Dystopians are unlike any team I’ve ever seen, and I don’t think The Stable was ready for that. They really controlled that match from start to finish.
THE Casey Gains: Teams are going to have to adapt to this style, but even if it turns into a typical tag match…these women are strong.
Edward Findleton: Well we’ve just seen our first titles change hands. The conclusion to the Men’s National Championship tournament is up next, and Scarred Badger is looking to keep this title change trend going against Harvey Allison!
Scarred Badger’s music hit, and he came down to the ring pushing a trashcart, which was filled with various weapons.
THE Casey Gains: Uhh, he does know this isn’t a hardcore match, right?
Edward Findleton: I hope he does, because this could be a short DQ match if he tries to use those weapons!
Harvey Allison came out next, holding the National Championship, and with Strawberry Bates Hill behind him. Allison seemed disgusted at the sight of the trashcart, and clearly avoided it as he got to the ring.
The match began, and right away Harvey Allison showed why he was the National champion, outwrestling Scarred Badger, who was mainly attempting huge punches. However, one of those punches eventually landed, stunning Allison and dazing him, allowing Badger to switch to a hard hitting offense. Badger had a few near falls but couldn’t put away the champion, and eventually went outside to the trashcart. Badger started throwing weapons and items into the ring, as referee Dennis Thompson pleaded with him to stop. Badger eventually found a glass whiskey bottle and opened it, taking a sip and returning to the ring. Thompson was now busy trying to clear the ring, and Badger poured some more whiskey into his mouth, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a lighter.
Edward Findleton: Oh no…This might be breaking some fire codes…
Allison started to stumble to his feet, and Badger brought the lighter to his mouth. Badger went to spit the whiskey out, creating a fireball, but at the last moment, Hill had rushed in, pushed Allison out of the way, and took the blast of fire. The noise got Dennis Thompson’s attention, as Strawberry Bates Hill writhed on the ground in pain, clutching his face. Dennis Thompson went to check on Hill, and Badger turned his attention back to Allison. Unfortunately for Badger, Allison had grabbed a pipe, and swung it into the midsection of Scarred Badger. Harvey Allison then hit the Sitout Jawbreaker, yelling for Dennis Thompson to stop helping Hill, and covered Scarred Badger, picking up the three count.
Edward Findleton: And Handsome Harvey Allison retains!
THE Casey Gains: He retains his title and his handsome moniker!
Eve Solace: But it looks bad for Strawberry Bates Hill, thankfully we have medical out to quickly help him.
Harvey Allison clutched his National championship, elated at his defense. Meanwhile, medical staff had helped Strawberry Bates Hill out of the ring, and began walking him to a nearby gurney. An exhausted Allison meanwhile also left the ring, then flopped onto the gurney before Hill could reach it.
Harvey Allison: Help me! Take me back! I need medical attention! I need a masseuse…an ice bath…some fluids! Hurry!
The medical staff seemed perplexed, and some started to push Harvey Allison back, while two remaining helped carry Hill up the ramp.
Backstage, Gregory Greystone was standing by with Cole Arcane and Pastor James.
Gregory Greystone: Hello ladies and gentlemen! I’m here with the challengers for the HAW Tag Team Championship, Cole Arcane and Pastor James? Gentlemen, what’s your strategy tonight?
Pastor James: Well son, the strategy tonight is simple. We’re facing some folks who claim to come down from the sky, so the strategy tonight is to put our belief in the only man who can come down from the sky, and with his power, pull off a victory.
Cole Arcane: …Right. The real answer is this: I can’t speak for my partner, but I’m not afraid of them. I’ve faced tougher men in my career. So the strategy is, I do my part, and hopefully, James does his.
The two partners exchanged an intense glare, until Gregory butt in.
Gregory Greystone: Well hopefully one of your strategies work! Good luck, and now back to ringside!
The McDonald Siblings music started up, and out came Foster and Molly McDonald, sharing in pep talks, jumping around, and warming up on their way to the ring. They were followed by Georgios Stanellis and Kitty Kayleen, with Georgios carrying Kitty to the ring in his arms.
Edward Findleton: Eve, Kitty hasn’t been a regular wrestler since 2022, how do you think she’ll hold up?
THE Casey Gains: Quiet Edward, I have a much more important question to ask. Eve, how amazing is it, how lucky are you, how would you describe the honor of doing commentary with Georgios and Kitty every Lockup?
Eve Solace: Oh…uh….It sure is great! The highlight of my week!
The match began with mixed tag rules, with women fighting women, and men against men. The newcomer McDonald Siblings showed some serious fight against Stanellis and Kayleen. Molly McDonald hit her Alley Oop again and went to cover Kitty, but Stanellis broke the count at the last moment. He picked up Molly, then irish whipped her hard into the corner, knocking the wind out of her. An enraged Foster tagged himself in and went after Stanellis, but Stanellis was able to hold him long enough for Kitty to recover, and eventually distract Foster enough that Stanellis could knock him down and lock in the Boston Crab. With Molly still in pain from the whip, Foster was forced to tap out.
THE Casey Gains: What a victory! What a match! A big congratulations to the power couple of HAW!
Edward Findleton: ….Didn’t you like Mitchell Row and cried after they betrayed him?
THE Casey Gains: That never happened so let’s just take a look at the replay of the match here. Great move by Stanellis. Excellent slam by Kitty. Pathetic attack by Foster and Molly. There, done, it’s over, onto the next match!
Edward Findleton: …Well it looks like someone is still a bit sensitive but he speaks the truth, we have another match and it’s time for the HAW Men’s Tag Team Championship!
Pastor James made his way down first with Dixie Boyle and Ivy Clarke by his side, and Cole Arcane followed with his own separate entrance. The lights then went black in the arena as The Visitors theme started, and emerging from a spotlight was Glenny Pax and Cyberhemoth.
As the match started with James and Cole working well as a team, with frequent tags to stay fresh, and were able to overcome Glenny and even Cyberhemoth’s offense, until Cyberhemoth was able to reverse a Cole Arcane attack in a powerful slam, slowing the pace down. As Cyberhemoth went to work on Cole, Arcane started to get desperate. He leaned against the ropes and as Cyberhemoth charged Arcane for a clothesline, Arcane pulled the ropes down and Cyberhemoth went tumbling out, and collided with Dixie Boyle.
Cyberhemoth slowly got to his feet, and Cole Arcane struggled to his corner to make the tag, but found that James had already jumped down and was checking on Dixie. Cyberhemoth had recovered and got back into the ring, and quickly picked up Arcane. Cyberhemoth hit the Powerbomb Shoulderbreaker. Dixie was almost to her feet when Cyberhemoth went for the pin, and James was too late to return to the ring and break it up, as the Visitors successfully retained.
Edward Findleton: And there it is! The Visitors win, and Cyberhemoth delivers Cole Arcane his first loss in HAW!
Glenny and Cyberhemoth held the tag titles high, proud of their successful defense, but quickly made their way to the back, while James went back into the ring to now help Arcane. Arcane managed to stand up, and James appeared to apologize, as Cole was fuming. James tried to explain the situation, when Arcane started punching Pastor James. As James tried to defend from the blows, Arcane grabbed him and hit the Running Bulldog. Dixie and Ivy tried to get into the ring, but Cole pointed at them, warning them to stay back. Arcane continued the attack, and hit a second Running Bulldog onto James, before finally departing.
Edward Findleton: Wow…to say Cole Arcane is upset is a major understatement.
THE Casey Gains: A tough way to get your first loss, and some justified anger, but also I think a bit of an over reaction.
Edward Findleton: It looks like Pastor James may need some time to get back, so while we wait, Eve, would you like to update us on VCW this year?
Eve Solace: Of course! In terms of recent title matches, The Lumberjacks, Boom Boom and Thundercrack, lost to The Jockey and the Thoroughbred, Enrique Mendoza and Diego Salazar…and they may need to watch their backs because the O’Toole Brothers showed up to challenge them! Sticking with the men, in the Men’s Championship, Leon Barron continues his successful run, defeating challenger “Shoelaces” Ian Suarez! And then of course a huge upset took place when Adriana Gomez defeated The Executioness Elena Dubois, and became the new VCW Women’s champion!
Edward Findleton: And speaking of women champions, that’s our next match, Lela LaCruse and Penny “The Hammer” Downs!
Lela LaCruse made her way down to the ring, holding a sign with a picture of the injured staff member from last week, his face in a heart and text showing “Harold - Forever in our hearts”
Edward Findleton: For clarification, Harold is still alive, but we’ve been advised to not speak about an ongoing worker’s comp case!
THE Casey Gains: THAT’S the tipping point for our legal team?!
Penny “The Hammer” Downs followed next, taking in the audience reaction and holding her title high on the way down, but with a look of nervousness.
Eve Solace: While Lela has been antagonizing Penny these few weeks, there’s one thing we can’t forget, and that’s that Penny views this as her first true title defense. Yeah, she’s defended it before, but in her mind, this is the start of her championship run, and Lela is intent on ruining those dreams.
As the match began, Lela spent most of the time trying to avoid Penny, taking breathers outside the ring. Penny got frustrated and started to get aggressive, getting thrown off her game. Lela tried some rolls ups, grabbing the rights and using the rope as leverage but Penny managed to kick out each time.
An angry Penny grabbed Lela by the hair and then smashed her head into the turnbuckle. Lela screamed in pain and collapsed to the ground, holding her nose.
Edward Findleton: I think Lela’s nose might be broken!
As Brenda Moses checked on Lela, an annoyed Penny turned her back, taking a breather. Seeing the opportunity Lela immediately stood up and attacked Penny from behind. Lela had the upper hand, but Penny tried to fight back. The battle got chaotic as Brenda tried to regain control. Penny then threw a punch that Lela dodged and connected with Brenda Moses, knocking her out.
Lela immediately rolled out of the ring and grabbed a microphone.
Lela Lacruse: This is the champion! She injured poor Harold, and now innocent Brenda! She’s a monster!
Penny had enough and left the ring to approach Lela, but Lela bashed Penny in the head with the mic. Lela continued the attack with the weapon, then rolled Penny into the ring. She got to the top rope and hit a Diving Corkscrew Moonsault, as referee Mira Levenberg ran down to the ring. She counted one, two, but Penny Downs kicked out at the last moment.
Lela was now frustrated, and started to help Penny up, who pushed Lela LaCruse away. Penny now seemed to be fueled on anger and started a complete assault on Lela, with slam after slam and finally hitting the Single Underhook Facebuster. Penny covered Lela, and picked up the pinfall.
Eve Solace: Wow! Lela tried everything she could think of, but Penny “The Hammer” Downs remains the champion!
Edward Findleton: A great “first” title defense! We have one more match, and it’s going to be tough to top what we just saw, but it’s time for our main event, Crash MuscleGate vs the HAW Men’s World Champion, Douglas Brunswick.
Crash made his entrance first accompanied by Lovable Liam and Frederic St. Pierre, the two pumping him and giving last minute tips. The champion Douglas Brunswick followed, and as he got to the ring, made sure to shake Crash’s hand, who accepted.
Edward Findleton: Some healthy respect here, but the two big questions…can Brunswick overcome his losing streak against Crash, and can Crash overcome his declining cardio?
The match started out respectful with lock ups, but Crash starting to get the edge with his veteran in ring presence. Douglas tried some strong attacks, but Crash’s counters seemed to cause some doubt to creep into Brunswick’s mind. Brunswick seemed to change tactics midmatch, instead focusing on slowing things down and going for less forceful moves and more technical holds. As Crash was forced to use energy to escape the holds, Crash could be seen struggling to breathe and taking time to catch his breath.
Crash was able to battle back after stunning Brunswick with an uppercut ot the jaw and get some momentum. Crash achieved a few near falls that Douglas kicked out of, but his movements weren’t as crisp as usual. None the less, Crash seemed to be in control, and tried to lock in Physical Tear-Apy, a camel clutch, but Brunswick was able to allude Crash’s grasp, kick Crash’s legs out from under him, and quickly lock in an arm bar.
Crash continued to struggle and expend energy as he forced himself and Brunswick closer to the ropes, before finally grabbing for a breakup.
Brunswick started to size Crash up and waited for him to get to his feet, but as he approached, Crash jumped up and hit the Dropkick right into Douglas’s head.
Favoring his arm and exhausted, Crash slowly crawled to Douglas. He managed to get on top of him but with the arm pain, couldn’t hook the leg. Referee Dennis Thompson counted, one, two, and Douglas kicked out at the last moment.
Edward Findleton: Crash thought he had him! The same move that caused Brunswick to fall multiple times, but not this time!
Crash and Douglas were both hurt, and took a while to steady themselves, each using the ropes to stead themselves, before approaching each other and trading punch after punch after punch. Crash tried for the Dropkick again, but this time Brunswick dodged. As Crash stumbled to his feet, Brunswick grabbed his head and quickly hit the Lifting Reverse DDT.
Edward Findleton: One, two, thre-
Eve Solace: Not three! Crash kicked out!
THE Casey Gains: Brunswick is in complete shock right now, I don’t know if Crash can ever NOT kick out of the Lifting Reverse DDT, it’s instinct at this point!
Brunswick stared down at Crash, who was breathing quite heavily, and clearly exhausted. Brunswick suddenly looked at the HAW World Title at ringside, then at Crash, and his gaze went back and forth. Brunswick stood over Crash, and locked in the Physical Tear-Apy.
Edward Findleton: Wait a minute! This is how he won at End of the Trail! Stealing Franco’s finisher!
Crash tried to break out of his own hold, but slowly his stamina could be seen decreasing. Dennis Thompson kept asking Crash if he wanted to give up, but Crash refused. Crash tried once more to break free of the hold but went limp. Dennis Thompson lifted Crash’s arm up to see if he was still in it, but the arm flopped down. Thompson immediately called for the bell, and Brunswick finally released the hold.
Edward Finleton: And there it is! Douglas Brunswick is STILL World Champion!
THE Casey Gains: A hard fought match, Crash pushed himself to the limit. His will never quit but the body eventually gave out.
As Brunswick celebrated, Liam and Frederic came to the ring and helped Crash up. Once he was composed, Brunswick immediately approached Crash and offered a handshake. Crash couldn’t bring himself to look Brunswick in the eye, but finally shook his hand. There was no embrace, and Crash eventually broke it off, leaving the ring with his head down.
Eve Solace: A tough loss for Crash tonight, but he should be proud, and Douglas has still not pinned him.
Edward Findleton: Whether pin or submission, Douglas Brunswick is the HAW World Champion. It was a great match, but we’re out of time. Thank you for watching HAW One Way Trip, for Eve Solace and THE Casey Gains, I’m Edward Findleton, good night!
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