Wrestling Ascendancy: Show 18 — “Fall of the Pillars”
Location: Smoothie King Center, New Orleans, Louisiana
Attendance: 16,382 (Sold Out)
Theme Song: “Still Running” by Chevelle
Commentators: Mauro Ranallo, Taz, and Nigel McGuinness
Opening Promo: The Weight of Gold
A cinematic intro plays highlighting every champion and challenger for the night. Seth Rollins calls himself “the last true pillar left standing.” Sami Zayn responds with “you don’t build a house on shaky ground.” MJF talks about legacy, while Edge stares down the camera and whispers, “I never needed your approval, Max. But I’ll take your title.”
Cut to The Conglomeration, shown arriving earlier in the day, arguing over who cost them a tag title shot last week. Tension is building.
Match 1: Jay White vs Daniel Garcia
Story: Jay White has been mocking Garcia for being a “try-hard indie kid cosplaying a wrestler.” Garcia wants to prove he belongs among the elite.
Match Description:
A slow technical start—chain wrestling, reversals, and mat-based transitions. White taunts Garcia throughout with slaps and arrogant grins. Garcia fights back with explosive suplexes and stiff forearms. They trade submissions—Sharpshooter (Garcia) vs Muta Lock (White). At 13 minutes, Garcia dodges the Blade Runner and nearly gets a roll-up three count.
Finish: Jay counters a suplex into the Blade Runner from out of nowhere.
Winner: Jay White (14:03)
Post-match, White mocks Garcia’s “wasted potential” and tells the camera, “Just another pillar broken.”
Backstage Interview: MJF
MJF cuts a promo hyping the US Open Challenge, mocking local talent and teasing a “Hall of Fame disappointment.” Suddenly, the lights dim… and Edge walks into frame. No words. Just a stare. The crowd pops.
Match 2: MJF (c) vs Edge – United States Championship
Story: MJF wants to build the prestige of the U.S. Title. Edge is out to prove he still has what it takes in the ring—and send a message to the next generation.
Match Description:
MJF stalls early, using ropes, ref distractions, and powdering out. Edge wrestles smart, targeting Max’s back with Edge-O-Matic and Edgecution. MJF responds with underhanded tactics—an eye poke, ring post trap, and even a fake knee injury spot. The crowd is split but loud. Several near falls on both ends. Edge hits a Spear but MJF kicks out at 2.9.
Finish: MJF removes the turnbuckle pad, sends Edge head-first into it, and rolls him up with the tights.
Winner: MJF (Retains – 17:44)
MJF celebrates like he just won the Super Bowl, mocking Edge’s age.
Match 3: Gunther vs Bron Breakker
Story: Breakker wants to break through to world title contention. Gunther stands as the gatekeeper, demanding respect through violence.
Match Description:
They go stiff and snug. Gunther chops Breakker like he owes him money. Breakker fires up with belly-to-bellies and spinebusters. Both men hit finishers (Gunther’s powerbomb, Breakker’s military press slam), but can’t finish each other. Gunther’s technical prowess vs Bron’s raw power makes this feel like a generational clash.
Finish: Gunther traps Bron in a sleeper, transitions to a rear naked choke, and Bron fades.
Winner: Gunther (18:10)
Post-match, Gunther offers a nod of respect. Breakker shoves his hand away—his ego bruised.
Segment: The Conglomeration Implodes
Mark Briscoe is in the ring with Darby and Orange Cassidy. He tries to talk sense into Braun, calling him a “big dumb brother who forgot what family means.” Braun walks down slowly to a chorus of boos. He acts like he’s going to apologize… then grabs a chair and unleashes hell.
Briscoe eats a brutal chair shot. Orange is slammed through a table. Darby gets chokeslammed on the apron. Braun stands tall over the wreckage.
Crowd chants: “You sold out!”
Braun yells: “I was the gold. Y’all held me back.”
Match 4: Lucha Bros (c) vs The Usos vs Solo Sikoa & Jeff Cobb – Tag Team Championship
Story: Three-way faction war. Bloodline wants gold, Lucha Bros want to prove they’re the best team on the planet, and Jeff Cobb & Solo are the new hybrid enforcers of chaos.
Match Description:
Chaos. High-flying insanity from Fenix and Penta. Hard-hitting brutality from Cobb and Solo. The Usos play it smart, tagging in at opportune times. Multiple triple spots: double superkicks, destroyers into Samoan drops, top rope Spanish Fly to the outside. Near fall festival. The crowd is breathless.
Finish: Fenix hits a springboard cutter on Cobb. Jimmy Uso hits a blind tag and goes for the splash, but Solo accidentally knocks him off the top. Penta throws Jimmy into Solo, then hits Fear Factor on Cobb.
Winners: Lucha Bros (Retain – 21:17)
Match 5: Samoa Joe & Street Profits vs Christian Cage & FTR
Story: Christian wants to “cleanse” tag wrestling of its flashiness. Joe and The Profits want revenge after weeks of backstage attacks.
Match Description:
Joe starts hot, beating down Dax Harwood. Montez Ford lights up the ring with high spots while Dawkins provides power. FTR isolates Ford with textbook heel work, then Christian tags in and mocks him with slaps and neck wrenches. Joe gets the hot tag and wipes out all three opponents with strikes and uranages.
Finish: Christian tries to walk out but Joe chases him down. Montez hits a springboard blockbuster, and Joe chokes out Wheeler for the tap.
Winners: Samoa Joe & Street Profits (16:03)
Match 6: Jon Moxley, Sheamus, Claudio, & PAC vs Lashley, Hobbs, Carmelo Hayes & Trick Williams – New Orleans Street Fight
Story: Eight men, months of tension, weapons, and chaos. Street fight rules.
Match Description:
Weapons come in quick—trash cans, kendo sticks, chains. Sheamus brawls with Hobbs in the crowd. PAC and Carmelo do insane aerial spots with ladders. Mox and Trick brawl on the entrance ramp, ending in a Paradigm Shift through a table. Claudio swings Hayes into a ring post.
At one point, Sheamus hits White Noise on Hobbs from a platform into a stack of chairs. PAC does a Black Arrow off a lighting rig.
Finish: Claudio locks in a sharpshooter on Hayes while Mox chokes out Trick with a chain. Dual submission win.
Winners: Moxley, Sheamus, Claudio, & PAC (20:50)
Co-Main Event: Roman Reigns vs Jacob Fatu
Story: Fatu defected from The Bloodline. Roman sees it as betrayal. Fatu wants to prove the new era belongs to him.
Match Description:
Big fight feel. Roman plays it slow and methodical. Fatu explodes with agility and power—standing moonsaults, top rope dives. Roman kicks out of a Samoan Spike + splash combo. They brawl into the crowd. Superman Punch vs top rope shoulder blocks.
Finish: Roman low blows Fatu, then hits a Guillotine for the submission—by cheating, he retains his dominance.
Winner: Roman Reigns (17:39)
Post-match, Roman whispers in Fatu’s ear, “You’ll never be me.”
Main Event: Seth Rollins (c) vs Sami Zayn – World Championship
Story: Sami earned the shot after winning a gauntlet. Seth doubts he belongs. Sami says this is his one chance to make everything mean something.
Match Description:
Tense, technical. Rollins is smug. Sami counters beautifully, with reversals and limb targeting. Rollins hits a Pedigree but Sami kicks out. Sami hits a Helluva Kick but hesitates for the pin—doubt creeping in. Rollins capitalizes with a Falcon Arrow and Stomp, but Sami kicks out at 2.999.
Finish: Sami reverses a second stomp into a Blue Thunder Bomb. Then, hits TWO Helluva Kicks.
Winner: Sami Zayn (New World Champion – 26:11)
The crowd erupts. Confetti falls. Sami celebrates on the ropes, crying. Seth sits outside the ring, stunned.
Show Closes:
As Sami celebrates, the camera cuts to the backstage hallway where Braun Strowman is watching. Alone. Laughing.
Text appears: “Next week: The Hunt Begins.”
Would you like a poster for the event or a teaser for Show 19?
