September 18, 2011

American Airlines Center
Attendance: 7,296 (38%)

Daffney vs. © Brie Bella (Women’s Title Match)

Brie and Daffney started off the match going back and forth, jockeying for position, starting where they left off from their match last month. Brie took over the match with some pretty nice offense, until Daffney connected with a stiff shot to Brie’s leg, that appeared to make her leg cramp instantly. Daffney then fed off Brie’s injury, focusing on the leg until Brie was unable to stand without help from the ropes. Daffney set Brie up on the top rope, and attempted a hurrancarana, but Brie was able to lock her good leg into the corner, as Daffney fell face-first into the canvas. Brie went for a quick cover, but only got a two-count before rolling out of the ring to walk off the pain. As she turned around a corner of the ring, Daffney came from the other side and clotheslined her to the concrete, leaving Brie to be counted out. But, Brie rolled back into the ring at the count of six, and Daffney connected with the Lobotomy; but Brie was able to get her foot on the ropes, breaking the pinfall. Daffney argued with the referee as Brie got to her feet, and as Daffney charged in, Brie pulled down the top rope, sending the “Demonic Princess” crashing onto the concrete. This gave Brie the chance to catch her bearings, and as Daffney rolled under the ropes, Brie grabbed her and hit the Bella Buster for the 1-2-3!

Brie Bella pinned Daffney with the Bella Buster in 0:25:05.
Rating: ** ½
(Brie Bella retained the HWL Women’s Title.)

After the match, as Brie fell to the canvas, clutching the Women’s Title, VELVET SKY’s music hit. The crowd began cheering as the new #1 Contender made her way down to the ring as Brie struggled to get to her feet. Velvet entered the ring, and stood over Brie for a moment, before offering her hand - which garnered a huge pop from the crowd. After helping Brie to her feet, and celebrating her victory, Velvet kicked Brie in the midsection, before planting her with a DDT in the center of the ring! (Crowd boos) Velvet then left the ring, with a huge smile on her face, as the cameras go backstage…

RIC FLAIR REPRIMANDS THE CONGLOMERATE
Matt Morgan, Rob Terry, Skip Sheffield and Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles are seen sitting in their locker room, as Chelsea stands in the corner with her head down. RIC FLAIR walks into view and paces back and forth in front of them, shaking his head. Flair says that he has been in the professional wrestling business for more years than he can count, and that he has never been more embarrassed than he was last Monday night. Flair says that the four of them should be absolutely ashamed of themselves because of their performance at Anarchy. Flair says that he joined them all together, because he saw the prospect of them being the most dominant force in the HWL; and last Monday night, they couldn’t eliminate anyone from Ken Anderson’s team. Flair says that something has to change, tonight, or else he was going to make some tough decisions about everyone’s futures. Flair says that tonight, they can all make up for their atrocious showing by doing what they need to do to win tonight. Flair says that no one has more to lose tonight than AJ, before saying that if everyone else decides to take another night off, AJ is the one who’s back must carry all the weight. Flair leaves the room as the four men sit in silence.

Evan Bourne vs. Matt Morgan (w/Ric Flair & Chelsea)

The plans for this match were set into motion, last month, during the 10-Man Battle Royal to determine who would face AJ Styles for the Heavyweight Title. While Bourne and “The Blueprint” were brawling, Flair pulled down the top rope, causing Bourne to topple over it and eliminate himself from the match. Tonight, Bourne was looking for an ounce of redemption, but only found himself outnumber as The Conglomerate wasted no time to get to ringside. After the verbal lashing they received from Flair, just minutes before the match, must have started a fire under their rears. Their intentions were good, but their execution was bad, as Skip Sheffield attempted to throw Morgan the ring bell. Bourne snatched it out of the air, and cracked the bell against the side of Morgan’s head - as the referee was dealing with Flair, who was making a scene on the apron. Flair, shocked, dropped from the apron, as Bourne made the cover, and the referee counted the 1-2-3.

Evan Bourne pinned Matt Morgan after hitting him with the ring bell in 0:03:21.
Rating: *** ½

After the match, Bourne stood in the center of the ring, on guard, as the rest of the Conglomerate looked around, trying to see who was blaming them for what just happened. Rob Terry grabbed Morgan, and rolled him out of the ring, as Flair walked up the ramp shaking his head. Josh Daniels and Scott Michaels commented on the fact that things weren’t getting off to a good start for Flair’s boys…

SHEFFIELD & TERRY MAKE A PROMISE
On their way to the ring, Skip Sheffield and Rob Terry are stopped by Alisha Hicks, and asked what their game plan is for tonight’s Tag Team Title Match. Terry says that, first things first, their goal is to regain the Tag Team Titles any way they can. He says that Chris Hero and David Otunga are unfit to call themselves Champions, and the that rightful champions will get their belts back tonight. Secondly, Terry says, that after being the one to cause Matt Morgan to lose his match, his personal goal is to make sure Ric Flair doesn’t get disappointed again.

COMMENT FROM CM PUNK
Ted Hanson caught up with CM Punk, as he was making his way through the backstage area, and asked for a reason for Punk’s attack on Rami Sebei at the end of Anarchy last Monday night. Punk starts off by saying that the past few weeks have been nothing but joy for him. He says that, outside of winning championship gold, getting inside of people’s minds is one of the best things he can do. He says that’s exactly what he did last Monday night - he got into Sebei’s head. He says he’s been doing it since the very beginning; and everyone knows it, even Rami. Punk says that he has made a living off of telling people the truth, whether they want to hear it or not. And, the truth is, that Rami Sebei - though he’s gotten lucky the last few weeks, after being grouped together with a successful team - has been an afterthought. Punk says that he’s on the way to the top, and tonight, he will get the satisfaction of beating the man who nearly became HWL Heavyweight Champion last month.

Skip Sheffield/Rob Terry (w/Ric Flair & Chelsea) vs. © Chris Hero/David Otunga (w/Shane Hagadorn) (HWL Tag Team Title Match)

The Tag Team Titles were on the line tonight, as the former champions - now aligned with The Conglomerate - tried to regain their belts from the upstart duo from PCW. From the onset of this match, it appeared that Ric Flair had learned his lesson from earlier in the evening, as he kept his distance from the action taking place in the ring, allowing Sheffield and Terry to fend for themselves. Knowing what was at stake, the former champions left everything inside the ring, but Hero and Otunga had just a little bit more to give, as Hero dropkicked Rob Terry over the top rope, sending him crashing onto the concrete below. At this point, Flair had seen enough, and demanded that Sheffield help Terry to his feet, and together with Chelsea, all four made their way up the ramp, and were counted out.

Chris Hero & David Otunga defeated The Conglomerate (Rob Terry & Skip Sheffield) when Hero defeated R. Terry by countout in 0:11:03.
Rating: ***
(Chris Hero & David Otunga retained the HWL Tag Team Titles.)

After the match, Hero and Otunga stand in the center of the ring, with the arms outstretched, in shock at what they just witnessed. Shane Hagadorn grabbed the Tag Team Titles, and brought them into the ring, as Josh Daniels mentioned that something doesn’t seem right about what’s going on with the Conglomerate tonight…

RAMI SEBEI RESPONDS
On his way to the ring, Rami Sebei is stopped by Ted Hanson, who asked for a response to CM Punk’s comments earlier in the evening. Sebei said that Punk does have a way of getting into people’s minds; a skill a lot of people think they can master, but only few truly can. Sebei says that he doesn’t want to take anything away from what Punk was able to accomplish elsewhere, but none of that matters now. He said that something still sticks in his mind, that Punk said, last Monday night. Punk said that Sebei would never be able to achieve the heights that Punk did during his time in the other company; but Sebei says that he doesn’t try to emulate himself after Punk. Sebei said that he did achieve a high that no one else thought he’d reach, last month, when he challenged AJ Styles for the vacant Heavyweight Title… and came within inches of being the top person in the HWL. Sebei says, for the time being, that’s something that Punk can’t say he has done, so in Sebei’s mind, that puts them at even standing heading into their match tonight, where the true winner will be the best wrestler inside the ring.

TYSON KIDD ENTERS THE ARENA
X-Division Champion, Tyson Kidd is seen entering the arena, walking side-by-side Bret “The Hitman” Hart. Alisha Hicks stops them, and says it’s an honor to meet “The Hitman”, before asking how Kidd is feeling about tonight’s match against Alex Shelley. Kidd says that there’s only one thing going through his mind, payback. Kidd says that Alex Shelley was way out of line, with what he did to Bret two weeks ago, and that tonight, there’s no limit to what sort of punishment Kidd can unleash. Alisha then asks Bret what his feelings for the match are, and Bret says that, even with what happened to him two weeks ago, he has nothing to do with this match. Bret says that he definitely wants to see Kidd retain the title, but that he is simply here to do commentary; he has no intentions on getting involved in any way. Alisha thanks them for their time as they walk away from the scene…

Rami Sebei vs. CM Punk

For weeks, CM Punk and Rami Sebei had been going back and forth, bringing personal matters into their rivalry leading into tonight’s match. Sebei, coming off a highly regarded match against AJ Styles last month, took on the extradited former Heavyweight Champion of the WWE. In the lead-up to the match, it seemed like there was no defiant winner in the war of words; but when the bell rang tonight, Punk proved that he was going to take his time in the HWL a lot more serious than before. Punk destroyed Sebei from the onset, sending Sebei outside the ring, and using the ring steps as a weapon. Punk grabbed a steal chair and wrapped it around Sebei’s head, before rolling back into the ring, as the referee counted Sebei out.

CM Punk defeated Rami Sebei by countout in 0:02:20.
Rating: ** ¼

After the match, Punk stood victorious on the turnbuckle, as the crowd showered him with boos. Punk jumped off the turnbuckle, with a smile on his face, and made his way up the ramp…

ALEX SHELLEY COMMENTS
Backstage, Alex Shelley tells Alisha Hicks that Tyson Kidd is just looking for sympathy by parading the washed-up fossil, Bret Hart, to the ring tonight. Shelley says that all Kidd is trying to do is get people to feel bad for him - and for Bret Hart - after Shelley’s actions two weeks ago. Shelley says that he doesn’t believe that Hart won’t be a factor in tonight’s match, because more than anything, “The Hitman” will want a piece of Shelley. He says that, if that’s the case, “The Hitman” can wait until after Shelley becomes the new X-Division Champion, because tonight Shelley is going to show Bret - and the rest of the Hart family - how much of a disgrace Tyson Kidd really is.

KURT ANGLE GETS READY
Ted Hanson is seen, standing in front of Kurt Angle’s dressing room, when “The Olympic Gold Medalist” exits. When asked about the allegations and public opinion towards him, Angle says that he doesn’t worry about any of that, because he knows he’s innocent. Though, Angle says that he wished things would’ve ended differently for Randy Orton, that’s not the case. Angle says that he can’t wait to get his hands on Orton, tonight; because it’s been something he’s wanted for a very long time. Just then, Angle’s phone begins to ring. He answers the phone, and listens for a moment, before ending the call and telling Ted that the interview is finished. Angle walks away as Ted looks on…

Alex Shelley vs. © Tyson Kidd (X-Division Title Match)

As promised, Bret “The Hitman” Hart was at the announce table for this match, being questioned about the attack at the hands of Alex Shelley, just two weeks ago, and what feelings of revenge were racing through Hart’s head. Hart said that he wanted to focus on the match, because he didn’t want to miss a single thing that Tyson Kidd had in-store for Alex Shelley. Shelley had the upper hand at the beginning of the match, as he quickly took Kidd outside the ring; he made a point to slam Kidd’s head into the announce table, before sharing words with Hart. Shelley kept up the assault on Kidd, as the fight was taken over the barricade and into the crowd, with Shelley attempting the Air Raid Crash onto the bare concrete, but Kidd was able to counter the move. Kidd took over, still behind the barricade, and brought the match back to ringside. Hart laid into Shelley with some high-flying offense, getting some words of encouragement from “The Hitman” in the process. Shelley ducked a spinning heel kick, and went back on the attack, going after Kidd’s knees. Shelley did, and used, whatever he could to do as much damage as possible, to limit Kidd’s ability to get air. Kidd rolled out of the ring, after taking the onslaught, but Shelley was right there, and he whipped Kidd into the announce table, knocking Bret Hart out of his chair! Furious, Hart got to his feet as he and Shelley got into a verbal argument. Kidd used the distraction to grab Shelley and whip him into the ring steps. Kidd landed a number of stomps before rolling Shelley back into the ring. The match continued for a short time, until Hart connected with a DDT. As Shelley slowly got to his feet, Kidd jumped off the ropes, and connected with the Springboard Elbowdrop to pick up the 1-2-3!

Tyson Kidd pinned Alex Shelley with the Springboard Elbowdrop in 0:29:15.
Rating: *** ½
(Tyson Kidd retained the HWL X-Division Title.)

After the match, Kidd stood in the ring, as Bret Hart entered to give him the X-Division Title. The two of them shared words, and the crowd groaned with anticipation as “The Hitman” grabbed Shelley’s legs and locked in the Sharpshooter, torquing back, as Shelley slapped the canvas in submission. Hart finally released the hold, as the crowd went crazy. Kidd and Hart left the ring, making their way up the ramp, as the camera went backstage…

RANDY ORTON COMMENT
Backstage, Ted Hanson tells Randy Orton about the comments made by Kurt Angle earlier in the evening. Orton says that he’s known Angle for a long time, and that he knows that in his mind, Angle truly believes his free of guilt. Orton says that, deep down, Angle knows he’s not innocent, but that none of that really matters tonight. Orton says that he doesn’t really care about the accident anymore. Yes, he wants to find who was responsible for it, but tonight is what he’s really been waiting for: the chance to get into the ring with Angle, and make him pay for the last month of Orton’s life…

AJ STYLES MAKES A PROMISE
Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles and Ric Flair are seen walking through the backstage area, as Flair repeats how frustrated he is with all the losing he has seen this evening. Styles stops and says that he didn’t win the Heavyweight Title by being lucky. Styles says that he proved, last month, that even on short notice, he can beat anyone in the HWL. Styles tells Flair to forget about all the other losses tonight, because watching Styles beat Ken Anderson tonight will be the best victory for everyone involved in the Conglomerate. Styles promises that he will not let Flair down.

Kurt Angle vs. Randy Orton

The rivalry between these two men has been well documented throughout the short history of the HWL. They have battled it out in various types of matches, often trying to inflict any sort of damage they could on each other. At Unbreakable, Randy Orton was nearly forced to retire from the injuries he suffered as the victim in a hit-and-run accident. The man who was alleged to have been behind the wheel, Kurt Angle, denied having anything to do with the incident, but said that he wouldn’t care if Orton was retired. Tonight, they finally stepped into the ring, for a match that the entire fan base of the HWL was waiting for. They gave this match everything they had, taking each other to the limit, and using everything in sight to gain the upper hand. Kurt Angle locked in the Ankle Lock submission, but Orton fought through it - for nearly 90 seconds - before grabbing the bottom rope. Orton would spend the rest of the match limping on the injured ankle. But, even the sore ankle wouldn’t stop Orton from fighting back against Angle, until he was finally able to connect with an RKO in the center of the ring. Orton made the cover, and the referee counted the three, before the arena exploded in cheers.

Randy Orton pinned Kurt Angle with the RKO in 0:14:36.
Rating: ***

After the match, as Orton celebrated his victory, a fan jumped the over the barricade and entered the ring behind Orton. As Orton turned around, he was met with a flying shoulder tackle. The unnamed man, then picked Orton up and executed a scoop lift sitout power bomb in the center of the ring! The crowd looked on in shock as the unnamed man grabbed Kurt Angle and dragged him out of the ring. Together, they made their way up the ramp as the camera focused in on the prone body of Randy Orton.

ANDERSON IS CONFIDENT
Just moments before he heads out to the ring, Ken Anderson tells Alisha Hicks that he has never been more prepared for a match than he is tonight. Anderson says that he gets a chance to prove to everyone that he is as good - if not better - than AJ Styles; but the only way to do that is to walk away with the Heavyweight Title. And tonight, for the first time in a while, Anderson says that he knows that’s exactly what he’s capable of. Anderson walks away as Alisha looks on.

“Back For More” by Five Finger Death Punch plays as a video preview for DOWNFALL is shown. DOWNFLL will take place, live, from the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri on October 23, 2011.

Ken Anderson vs. © AJ Styles (w/Ric Flair & Chelsea) (HWL Heavyweight Title Match)

After being ousted from The Conglomerate, for what Ric Flair called “not being a team player”, Ken Anderson made it his goal to prove everyone - including AJ Styles - a lesson. After nearly becoming Tag Team Champions - for which their failure to do so was put on Anderson - Styles came out, claiming to be the best wrestler in the HWL. Anderson had every reason to believe that the only way to prove his former partner, and the rest of the Conglomerate wrong, was to beat Styles for the Heavyweight Title. Tonight, he was given that chance, but for whatever reason: nerves, pressure or the outside presence of Flair and Chelsea, Anderson just wasn’t able to get the job done. Clearly having learned his lesson from earlier in the night, Flair again, chose not to interfere in the match, allowing Anderson and Styles to settle things on their own. In the end, Styles connected with the Styles Clash to pick up the victory, and successfully retain the HWL Heavyweight Title.

AJ Styles pinned Ken Anderson with the Styles Clash in 0:08:59.
Rating:
(AJ Styles retained the HWL Heavyweight Title.)

After the match, Styles, Flair and Chelsea exited the ring, celebrated the win; and were joined on the stage by the other members of the Conglomerate. Hostile Takeover went off the air with Styles, standing in the center of the group, holding the Heavyweight Title high in the air.

Card rating: *** ¼

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