♫Isolation! If you could only see, what will come to be YEAH!!!♫ «< click to play).

The opening credits play before we pan and zoom into the Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts. The pyro’s explode, sending the fans into a frenzy as Jim Ross and William Regal bring us in as always. “Welcome everyone to Wednesday Night Turmoil, Live from Lowell, Mass!” Regal says what a pleasure it is to be here, it’s just a shame he has to spend it in the company of JR and the Lowell audience. JR moves swiftly on and reminds us of how last week’s show ended. The KWF World Heavyweight Champion, The Absolute Lashley, faced The Icon Sting in one hell of a main event. Edge had declared earlier in the evening that AJ Styles will be getting his Title rematch at next Sunday’s Great American Bash pay-per-view, and that the stipulation of that match would be decided by whether Lashley or Sting won. As a great match got the fans to their feet, it ended when Lashley caught The Icon in a Stinger Splash attempt, and slammed him down with his trademark Sitdown Spinebuster to record the Three-count. Straight after the match, and to finish the show, Paul Bearer simply uttered the four words that sent a chill down every spine in attendance and horror to the souls of you reading at home; “Hell In A Cell!!!” JR goes on to say that it’s been over two years since the last Hell In A Cell match in the KWF, and that it is surely not the type of match AJ Styles will have been hoping to have in what may be his last shot of taking the KWF Title back from the monstrous Lashley. Regal agrees and says it would be foolish for AJ to even turn up at the Bash. “Hell In A Cell matches don’t only shorten careers, they end them. And you can multiply that by fifty when you introduce Lashley to that equation. AJ Styles doesn’t stand a bloomin’ chance.” JR informs us of what we can expect on tonight’s show, the last before the Great American Bash. He tells us that the KWF Tag Team Champions The Dudleys will be in action against the MotorCity Machine Guns in a renewal of an old rivalry, The Doctor of Thuganomics John Cena will go up against fan favorite Kofi Kingston, and we will be treated to a number one contenders match for the Intercontinental Championship as Christian Cage faces King Of The Ring finalist Sheamus. But first we begin with some tag action as the Hardcore Champion Big Show teams up with X-Division Champ Austin Aries as they prepare to take on their respective challengers at the Bash, the Samoan Submission Machine Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan!

Big Show & Austin Aries vs. Daniel Bryan & Samoa Joe

The size difference between Show and Aries is noticeable and almost comical, but Aries doesn’t feel intimidated. He insists in starting and orders Show to the apron. The Hardcore Champion gives a little smirk and says “By all means Champ.” Aries ties up with Joe, and soon gets launched back into the corner he came from. Aries tries not to look abashed, but Joe gives a wry smile as the fans chant ‘Joe’s gonna kill you!’ Aries refuses to tag out however, and ties up again. He gets Joe in a headlock, but then gets lifted up and dumped over the top rope and to the outside. We see Show roll his eyes as the fans cheer Joe and Aries looks hurt on the mat at ringside. We head to commercial as JR wonders how far Aries will go without tagging out.

When we return, Aries has somehow gotten control of the match, and has Joe in the centre of the ring with a side headlock. JR shows us on split screen how A-Double was able to get on top. As Joe followed Aries to the outside, Big Show told the referee that Daniel Bryan was about to jump off the apron. As the referee turned around, Show got down to the floor and pushed Joe into the ring-post. Aries recovered and took over. He is showing just why he is the X-Division Champion as he works over the Samoan Submission Machine. He hits some knees to the spine, as Regal reminds us that Joe himself was a part of the X-Division back in his early career in TNA, and is a former X-Division Champion. “And Austin Aries is making him look silly here.” JR: “Hardly William, and he’s only in this position because of the Big Show!” Aries gets Joe up and attempts a suplex, but he can’t manage it. Joe blocks it and executes a suplex of his own. The fans cheer as Joe gets to his feet and sees Bryan with an outstretched hand. He slaps it and the American Dragon leaps over the top rope and immediately goes on the attack. He nails Aries with a high knee, before throwing him into the corner and running up to connect with a dropkick. The fans are chanting ‘Yes!’ ‘Yes!’ ‘Yes!’ as Bryan is in the ascendancy. He looks set to go for the LeBell Lock, but as he attempts it, Aries rolls out of the tussle and tags the hand of Big Show. The Hardcore Champion steps over the top rope and into the ring, as Aries laughs and Bryan backs off. He doesn’t look as confident of taking on Show as Aries did against Joe, and contemplates tagging Joe back in. However, he decides to go for it and races towards Show, but gets grabbed by the throat. Bryan kicks Show in the legs, eventually causing him to break his grip. He then comes off the ropes and hits a flying knee, sending Show stumbling, so he comes off the ropes again, but Show reacts and pushes him up in the air, with Bryan falling all the way down to the canvas from a great height on his front. Show steps on his back and tells him to be a good boy and stay down. However, Bryan slowly gets up. Show is winding up for the WMD, but as Bryan rises, Show swings and Bryan ducks, rolling through and tagging Joe. The fans roar as Joe comes in and hits a flying knee of his own, sending Show down. He comes off the ropes and hits a senton, before covering and getting Two. He is really taking it to Show, and forces him in the corner. He hits kicks and punches, followed by a kick to the head. Show stumbles into the middle of the ring. Joe comes off the ropes again, but like Bryan before, gets caught around the throat. Show lifts Joe up and chokeslams him down. He falls back against the ropes as Joe’s attack has clearly affected him. He then signals for the WMD, but Aries all of a sudden slaps him on the back. “I got this big guy!” Aries heads to the top rope as Show looks on bemused. He shakes his head and steps out, as Aries flies off the top. Joe rolls over so Aries crashes to the canvas. Joe then rolls back and grabs Aries, getting him in the Kokina Clutch. Aries cries out as Show shakes his head and steps off the apron, seemingly leaving the match. It makes little difference however as Aries taps out.

Winners: Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan.

“What a great match that was, and what a team Samoa Joe and Daniel Bryan made.” JR says. Regal adds that he liked to see the confidence of Aries, but that perhaps he needs to know when to stick and when to twist. “Yes he tapped out, but he knew he needed to save himself for his big Title defense with Bryan on Sunday.” JR says he’s really looking forward to that match, as well as Joe’s rematch against the World’s Largest Athlete. “What a Bash it promises to be!”

It’s time for our weekly Turmoil recap. On last week’s show we saw Daniel Bryan defeat Jay Lethal, though Austin Aries joined them as an unwelcome commentator, Panther received an ‘Ass Kicking’ birthday present from Kaitlyn, Mr. Anderson went to Edge asking for an opportunity, and got a match against King Dolph, there was a 15-Chick over the top rope Battle Royal to determine a number one contender for the Women’s Title, Edge announced that the KWF Tag Titles will be defended by The Dudleys at The Bash in a Triple Threat against The Usos and LAX, the latter two teams then facing one another, we heard from AJ Styles, and the main event saw The Icon Sting take on The Beast, Absolute Lashley, with the stipulation for the Styles Lashley match at the Bash on the line. It proved to be a hellacious night in Savannah, and you can read it all by clicking right HERE!

In the halls backstage we join Women’s Champion AJ Lee in mid-conversation with number one contender Mickie James. The two of them are in good spirits and AJ says that she’s excited to be facing one of the most established Women’s wrestler’s the industry has ever seen at the Great American Bash. Mickie smiles: “Err, thanks, I think.” AJ compliments her on winning last week’s Chicks Battle Royal, but then Melina walks onto the scene. Melina: “That fluke victory? You wanna call yourself a number one contender because of that?!” Mickie turns to Melina and asks what her problem is. Mel says that she once thought of Mickie as a friend, “but throughout the time I was injured, you never came to the hospital to see me. You never called, never visited me at home and when the Wolfpac split up I was left in the lurch and now I’ve come back to nothing!” Mickie: “Mel, you know as well as anyone that we are always on the road. How am I supposed to see you when the KWF road-call has more travel time than King Dolph spends in front of a mirror?” Melina says that she could have called, but then AJ steps in and says that no one could have done anything about the Wolfpac. Melina looks at AJ as if she is a stranger: “Who are you?” AJ shows her the Women’s Title and steps up to her: “I’m the Women’s Champion!” Melina laughs saying that competition in the KWF hasn’t stepped up in the time she was gone. Mickie tells Melina that AJ’s got more fire than she thinks, but Mel finishes that it doesn’t matter either way. “I’ll come after that Belt when I’m good and ready little girl, but Mickie, you and I have unfinished business. Don’t you dare think this is over.” Melina marches away from the scene as JR and William Regal voice over. JR: “Wow, that was some kinda attitude from Melina. I don’t understand why she’s so angry though. What’s the world supposed to do, drop everything for her? People have lives to live.” Regal: “Yes, but as usual you’re missing the point Jim. She and Mickie were close on Impact SmackDown. It’s been a long time since then, and Melina’s not even had the Wolfpac to call upon. She’s certainly angry at how she feels she’s been treated and Mickie James will take the brunt of it. In the meantime though, we’ve got Mickie against AJ at The Bash and Jim that’s going to be…” JR: “A slobberknocker!”

John Cena vs. Kofi Kingston

The bell rings and the two men lock up with Cena being the stronger, forcing Kingston into the corner. The referee tries to get himself between the two to force a break, but as Cena feigns to back off, he punches Kingston with a closed fist and Kofi is nailed toward the bottom turnbuckle. The crowd boo the Doctor as the ref tells him off. JR: “John Cena is a menace. He gets the hump for not having the Title opportunities he thinks he deserves and then when he competes he takes cheap-shots to gain the upper hand. God, no wonder people hate him.” Regal: “D’you think that bothers him JR? The man’s a multi-time Champion and in the KWF, sure he started his time here slowly, but under Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair he was the be-all and end-all of the business. WWE in fact have him main event ahead of the WWE or World Championship Belts. Now what does that tell you? The man is elite, he is franchise and he should be the top dog in any company – including the KWF! Edge is making him work for his chances, putting him at the same level as everybody else. No wonder the man’s got the hump.” JR: “Cena’s always been the Doctor of Thuganomics here in the KWF. What irks me is that he thinks he’s above working hard, he thinks he should be the type to do what he wants, when he wants. He may have had that under Hogan and Flair, but it’s an even playing field under our Rated R General Manager and now Cena has to man up and deal with that. Every time he cheats it’s like he’s throwing his toys out the pram.”

The match goes on and although we watch Cena dominate, Kofi Kingston often has the voice of the crowd cheering him on and he tries to get momentum as he reverses Cena’s attacks. Kingston is quick to cover the Doctor when he’s down, but Cena always kicks out and Regal laughs at how Kofi is still getting dominated in the match, every time Cena comes back. Regal: “Cena is bigger, he’s stronger and I don’t care what people think, but he has the winning mentality. The man’s not like a Chris Jericho where he taunts and nonchalantly struts around the ring. He’s almost methodical in fact and I’m impressed with how he’s handled Kofi Kingston here.” JR: “There’s no doubt that both these superstars are great athletes and where Cena has the winning mentality, Kofi Kingston has got the heart. Something’s got to give in this exciting KWF match-up.” Cena has Kingston by the corner and he Irish-whips him hard toward the opposite end. The crowd boo as Cena then goes to lock on an STFU, but Kingston quickly reaches the ropes. Cena gets up and goes to pick up Kofi, but Kofi counters with a Small Package for One, Two – no, a kick-out from Cena. Kofi gets up and so does Cena. Cena attempts a hard clothesline, but Kingston ducks and goes against the ropes to come back with a double forearm to the face. JR: “Almost like R-Truth’s Lie Detector! What a move from Kingston and he’s back in the match now!” Cena gets up and Kofi nails him with a dropkick. The crowd cheer him on as he goes toward the top turnbuckle. JR: “Kingston’s going to fly here!” Regal: “It’s a mistake. He’s got Cena down, he has to keep him there.” Kofi waits for Cena to get to his feet. He measures and then leaps into the air with amazing elevation for a cross body – but as the move connects Cena rolls through! Regal: “Aahhh! I told you! I told you it was a mistake!” JR: “By God, the strength, the determination and (Cena stands with Kofi in his arms, lifts him onto his shoulders and plants him with an FU) the downright winning mentality of the Doctor! The result is academic!” One! Counts the ref, Two! Three!

Winner: John Cena.

JR: “And John Cena wins it.” ♫John Cena’s music♫ «< click to play) hits and the audience boo as Cena waves a You Can’t See Me taunt toward Kofi first and then toward the fans. He frowns and shrugs his shoulders Thuganomic style and Regal talks up his rise in the KWF. “That’s a win against that moron Brodus Clay and now Kofi Kingston. Cena’s also battled on House Shows and Live events, winning every match he’s been in. Edge has to consider him as a Title contender.” JR agrees that there doesn’t look like much can stop the Doctor right now, but before Edge can consider any Title prospect for Sovereignty, we first must focus of The Great American Bash where AJ Styles will have his rematch against The Absolute Lashley.

We are with KWF General Manager Edge in his Skybox. He’s with Madison Rayne. He’s trying to choose a sandwich. “Err, alright, I’ll have the Canadian bacon.” Madison: “An excellent choice.” She goes to head out the door as Edge says “No dressing.” Madison turns and seductively says “That’s the plan.” She passes AJ Styles, who is in the doorway. He looks at her quizzically, before looking at Edge, who defensively says “What, like you and Panther never talked like that back in the day.” AJ: “Of course we didn’t. Now me and Trish on the other hand… no, we didn’t either.” Edge: “Anyway, what’s up?” AJ: “What’s up? Did you see the end of last week’s show? I have to face Lashley in Hell In A Cell. Now don’t get me wrong, I’m still gonna win, but damn man, Hell in a frickin’ Cell! I’ve never done that before. It looks like it hurts.” Edge nods: “Oh yeah, it hurts like nothing you’ll have ever experienced in a wrestling ring before. But when you lift that Title above your head, all the pain goes away. Until you get to the locker room, then it hurts like a bitch again, but at least you’ll be Champion.” Edge goes on to explain to Styles that Christian vs. Sheamus isn’t scheduled to be the main event tonight, and says that he wants AJ to headline the show. “You haven’t competed since you lost the KWF Title to Lashley at King Of The Ring, and so tonight I want you to be in the main event.” Styles nods and says: “Alright, I was actually hoping for a tune up match tonight. Who am I up against?” Edge: “Well that’s the thing. To prepare for a challenge on Sunday, Hell In A Cell, something you’ve never done before, you’ll be out of your comfort zone completely. So tonight, I want you to get used to the feeling of being uncomfortable in the ring, and overcoming that.” AJ: “Sounds good, but who’s my opponent?” Edge: “Tonight AJ, for the first time ever, your opponent is… Shelton Benjamin.” AJ’s face drops as he takes it in. “Shelton? My old Tag buddy Shelton? The guy I travelled the road with, won Championships with? Our old Thundercat teammate Shelton?!” Edge: “The very same. On Sunday you face another former T-Cat, albeit in a completely different form, and you’ll need to get used to how uncomfortable you’re gonna feel in that situation. Now it’s only a suggestion, if you want I can arrange for someone else to…” AJ: “No, it’s okay. Shelton it is.” Styles exits as Edge smiles now he has his main event in place. JR: “My God! AJ Styles versus Shelton Benjamin in our main event! Those guys were practically brothers in the first two years of the KWF. They go one-on-one tonight!”

When we return from commercial, ♫the music of Christian Cage♫ «< click to play) hits, and Captain Charisma makes his way to the ring. JR tells us that it’s time for the number one contender’s match for the Intercontinental Title, with the winner facing Randy Orton this Sunday at the Great American Bash. Sheamus comes out to a big cheer and we see ‘Great White’ signs in the crowd.

Christian Cage vs. Sheamus – number one contenders match for Intercontinental Title

The bell rings and the match begins. They lock it up, with Christian moving first with a go-behind. He impressively lifts Sheamus up and down, before a few slaps to the back of the head. JR comments that he’s not sure what Christian we have in the KWF these days. “When he was WWE Champion before the days of Turmoil, he was a fan favorite, full of life and a real pleasure to watch in the ring. Now he seems to have become a little bitter, whether that’s due to Edge beating him at WrestleMania last year, not having won the top Title since, or maybe he’s a little jealous that Edge is running things now.” Regal: “Jealous of Edge being GM? Delighted more like. Why else do you think Christian has been handed this chance?” JR: “You think Edge is playing favorites here?” Regal: “Obviously.” JR: “Well Christian still has to earn a Title shot by beating Sheamus, and he’s started well here, oh and a vicious slap across the face!” Cage has leapt to the outside after tripping Sheamus onto the middle rope, and hit a slap, before sliding back in and hitting a DDT. He pins and gets Two. Cage carries on his assault, but as he goes for a springing back elbow, he gets caught, and Sheamus turns it into an Irish Curse backbreaker. The former WWE Tag Champion is on top now as he uses his power to good effect. He throws Cage through the middle rope to the apron, before propping his back against the ropes and slamming his massive arm and fist across the chest of Christian repeatedly. He hits it ten times as the crowd count along. The Celtic Warrior is in the ascendancy now, and after a few more moves, goes for a Brogue Kick. He misses, and Christian tries to nail a KillSwitch, but Sheamus pushes him into the corner. He then chases after him, but Cage is alert enough to flip off the middle rope and execute a sunset flip, getting Two again. Sheamus gets up right away and clobbers him down with a double handed axe handle. He beats his chest as The Great White smells blood. He picks up Christian, before lifting him onto his back ready for the Celtic Cross. However, before he can hit it, Christian slides down his back and rolls him up. He has a hand full of tights as the referee, unaware of this, counts One, Two and Three!

Winner and New Number One Contender for the Intercontinental Championship: Christian Cage.

Christian slides out of the ring straight away and raises his arms as the bell rings and his music plays. He has a wry smile on his face as Justin Roberts announces him as winner and new number one contender for Randy Orton’s Intercontinental Title. Sheamus, however, looks more than angry. He knows what Cage did, and proceeds to chase the Canadian up the ramp. JR condemns the methods Christian used to win, but Regal has now changed his tune, remarking that he underestimated Christian and thinks he has what it takes to beat Orton on Sunday. JR: “You’re so fickle.” Regal: “Thank you.”

After commercials we cut backstage where Christian is panting, but seems to have lost Sheamus. He smiles as he cannot see the Irishman behind him. He turns and walks straight into Randy Orton. The Viper stares right into his eyes, and Christian eyes the Intercontinental Title that sits on Orton’s shoulder. Orton says: “You got away with that.” Christian arrogantly smiles: “I’ll also get away with your Title on Sunday. See you at the Bash, Champ.” Cage pats the IC Belt and walks off as the camera focuses on Orton.

Back from commercials we hear ♫the music of King Dolph♫ «< click to play) and KWF’s King Of The Ring makes his entrance. The King has his scepter in hand and is robed shoulder to toe with his crown atop his head. The King doesn’t seem to be in the best of moods and he gets on mic to say that Ken Anderson’s victory against him last week was a travesty. “Anderson had no right in defeating me. It was supposed to be an event to elevate my Kingship, not to have an anus-hole defeat The King!” JR whispers: “Anus-hole?” Regal: “I think he’s trying to be Royal… ahem, British.” King Dolph says that he will not be seen as a losing King and he immediately wants to lay down a challenge to anyone in the locker room who thinks they’re worthy of facing him at The Great American Bash. “I am a WWE Triple Crown Champion, I won the World Heavyweight Title there and in the KWF I have held the Intercontinental Championship more times than I can count! I am the 2012 King Of The Ring, the most legit King since Jerry Lawler and I demand an opponent for the Bash!” ♫Music hits♫ «< click to play) and the crowd get on their feet! JR: “CM Punk!?” Regal: “Punk?! Really? Haha, this should be good.” CM Punk enters on stage and Dolph Ziggler has a smile on his face. He removes his robe and lays it on the floor, placing his scepter over it. Punk meanwhile makes his way to the ring and the King waves his arm as if to ‘allow’ Punk to be handed a microphone. Punk’s music stops and he smiles as he looks at Dolph and then toward the audience. He looks at Dolph again: “King Dolph. King Dolph, well Ziggler first of all as a man who can appreciate good wrestling I gotta say congratulations on your royal Kingship. Becoming King is no easy feat and in this company when you have the best of the best battling for the Crown, you know you have earned it when you get your hand raised in the final match – so congratulations.” Ziggler smiles and nods, but interrupts: “Come on. Come on, tell me you’re gonna face me Sunday, come on Punk!” Punk steps back: “You seem awfully confident.” Dolph: “Of course I am! If you’re my opponent on Sunday, I’m guaranteed a win.” Punk: “Excuse me?” King Dolph says: “Punk, if you’re stepping up as my opponent on Sunday then I say bring it on! Give me the best you got and try and try and try your hardest to win – because it’s just not gonna happen!” Punk: “What are you talking about? Don’t you know who you’re dealing with? I’m CM Punk, I’m the last man you wanna face at the Bash because I am the Bes” – Dolph interrupts again: “Best In The World?! (He laughs) Best In The World?!!! (He laughs more) Punk, everybody knows. Don’t you get it? Are you that far up your own ass that you haven’t even noticed that these fans don’t go so nutso for you anymore? Don’t you get why?” Punk stands there and he’s about to speak but Dolph yells: “You’re a loser! (He laughs) you’re not the Best at anything, least of all wrestling! Punk, you haven’t won a match since before WrestleMania. You lost to The UnderTaker, you’ve lost to Chris Jericho, you’ve lost to that idiot Ken Anderson and on Sunday, you’ll be facing the best man that runs this ring today and that’s me! I admit, I took it easy last week but that was because Anderson should have had more respect. He should have laid down for the King because I am his superior, but news flash, it don’t work that way because when you’re at the top, everybody’s after you and you have the biggest target on your back. You wanna step out here and take the King’s open challenge for Sunday then I say bring it on Punk. You’re not the Best In The World and at the Bash you’ll be facing the greatest King Professional Wrestling has ever seen!” Punk is taken aback by King Dolph’s words and says that as much as he respects how far King Dolph has come: “there’s no doubt in my mind that you’ll get the beating of your life on Sunday. You think you’ve made it so big because you’re King for a year, well guess again blondie because I’m not impressed. I live in reality and yeah, I know full well that I haven’t won a match in a long time. But guess what Dolph, that makes me even more determined to take that Crown and shove it up your ass!” Things get heated as King Dolph’s smile goes and he tells Punk that he’ll make him eat his words. Punk says that he still believes in himself and he’ll make the fans believe again when he humiliates the King at The Great American Bash. ♫Punk’s music♫ «< click to play) hits and he exits the ring to the cheer of the crowd, but Dolph yells on mic: “Cut his music! Cut his music! I’m the King! Cue my music!” ♫The music of King Dolph♫ «< click to play). Dolph voices over his own music and declares that he will be the man on top and that he will slay CM Punk, the laughing stock of the KWF. “See you at The Bash Punk. Gimme your best, give me all you got. I’ll put you down and I’ll look great while doing it. All hail King Dolph! (To the crowd) Long live the King! Long live the King!” Punk exits up the ramp as the crowd boo Ziggler. The comms can’t believe it, CM Punk takes on King Dolph at this Sunday’s Great American Bash!

Sheamus heads to Edge’s Skybox and demands retribution. He doesn’t even knock as Edge is eating his Canadian bacon sandwich. He puts it down and gets to his feet as Sheamus enters. The Irishman demands that he have an immediate rematch with Christian. “That idiot just screwed me out of an Intercontinental Title shot, and I want revenge on him now!” Edge tries to diffuse the situation, saying that he’s liked how people are earning their number one contenders spots. He says that Mickie James has earned her spot, LAX and The Usos are the outstanding candidates for the Tag Titles, and even though Christian clearly cheated to win, as the Rated R Superstar himself, it would be hypocritical of him to overturn the result or restart the match. “The result stands Sheamus, things like this happen in the ring all the time and the referee’s decision is final. Sorry fella.” Sheamus is about to go bananas, but Edge soon cuts in again. “With that in mind, all I’ve been getting off of people around here is nagging. Nagging by John Cena and more nagging by Mr. Anderson to be in World Title contention. But, they’re not the only ones who have impressed me of late and like I said, I’m enjoying how superstars and chicks are earning their stripes. You got to the final of the King Of The Ring tournament, and you and Kozlov were a dominant tag team, and so I have decided that I am making a special bonus match for the Great American Bash. It will be a number one contender’s match – for the KWF World Heavyweight Title! And Sheamus, fella, it’s going to be you versus Anderson, versus John Cena, versus Rob Van Dam in a Fatal Four Way match! And the winner will face either AJ Styles or The Absolute Lashley at KWF’s anniversary pay-per-view Sovereignty!” Sheamus shakes the GM’s hand and thanks him. The comms end: what an opportunity for all four superstars!

The Dudleys vs. MotorCity Machine Guns

Bubba Ray and Devon do not look in the best of moods as the referee calls for the bell and the crowd are firmly in the corner of the MotorCity Machine Guns. Bubba Ray starts off the match and steps toward Chris Sabin. He’s so loud that we hear him as he says “Do you know who we are?!” Sabin nods and talks back before swinging a right hand at Bubba. Ray stands there and dares Sabin to try that again. Sabin does, but Bubba catches the arm and pulls him in to slaughter him down with a clothesline! The crowd boo as Bubba tags in Devon and we watch as the two of them pick Sabin up and throw him towards the ropes for a double team, but Sabin is quick to react and he grabs the ropes after going against them and then slides himself through to ringside. Sabin regroups with Alex Shelley at ringside and Bubba and Devon stand commandingly in the ring. Regal: “It’s nonsense what Edge is putting them through at The Bash Jim. You know, usually in wrestling there’s a sense of respect and unity with the old guard. I thought Edge would have The Dudleys best interests at heart rather than put them through this Triple Threat Tag on Sunday. I mean, they could lose their Championships without even getting pinned.” JR: “William you’re right with the respect factor that goes hand in hand with different generations of Pro Wrestler’s, but surely even you see how arrogant The Dudleys have been. Week after week they rub it in Edge’s nose that they still have their careers, they’re still at the top of Tag Team wrestling. Almost fifteen years on from when The Dudleys rivaled Edge and Christian. There’s no respect there, The Dudleys have been gloating to our General Manager.” Regal: “So can you at least admit that Edge has taken it too personally? So what if The Dudleys are Tag Champs, it shows that they’re still above and beyond the tag teams that wrestling offers today. Edge is jealous that they still have the Tag Gold and that’s why he’s made this Triple Threat for the Bash.” JR: “Are you kidding me? Edge moved on from tag wrestling and he became a multiple-time World and WWE Champion – and Christian’s had a great singles career too. There’s no jealousy there. The Dudleys have just forced Edge’s hand. I mean they aren’t dignified Champions, they always cheat and take short-cuts and with all their gloating I’m sure Edge just wants a Tag Team Championship outfit that he, the KWF and the fans can be proud of.” Back to the match we watch as Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin tag back and forth as they show what they’ve got against Devon. Bubba tries to get his brother back in the match by yelling obscenities at the Guns as Regal says that The Dudleys are below par tonight because they’ve got their eyes on defending the Tag Titles on Sunday. JR says that the Machine Guns are sharp right now and they’re out to re-establish themselves after Chris Sabin’s long-term injury. Regal: “I heard Shelley’s left TNA now Jim.” JR: “Yes I think that’s correct. I’m not sure why, but at least we’ve still got the Machine Guns here in the KWF. They’re an amazing tag team.” Bubba Ray finally comes in illegally to take down both the Guns and we hear the crowd boo as Bubba helps Devon over to make the tag. However, as Devon goes to the apron we watch as Homicide and Hernandez slide into the ring. They target Bubba Ray, but Ray sees them coming and gets outta dodge right away.

No Contest, match thrown out.

The Guns get up and we watch as Homicide dropkicks Shelley down and Hernandez clotheslines Sabin over the top rope. Bubba and Devon regroup at the foot of the ramp. They seem pretty satisfied that they avoided the Latin American eXchange, but then behind The Dudleys firing down the ramp come The Usos! The crowd cheer as The Usos go at Bubba and Devon from behind and deck the KWF World Tag Team Champions! Regal: “This is an outrage! How dare they attack The Dudleys from behind!” JR: “Oh but it’s okay when Bubba and Devon do it right?” We watch as LAX exit the ring and join in the fight, getting themselves a piece of The Dudleys. William Regal can’t believe it, “Edge’s plan is working. With a four on two this Sunday, of course The Dudleys will lose the Tag Team Titles.” JR: “Oh there’s no plan in it at all, our GM just wants good competition and worthy Champions. The Dudleys have made their own enemies and this Sunday will be their acid test. Good God what carnage. I can’t wait for the Tag match at The Bash!”

Backstage we’re with Jeremy Borash. “Ladies and gentlemen will you please welcome my guest at this time, Mr…” Ken Anderson walks onto the scene and yells “AAAnnnnderrrsoonnnnnnn!” JB: “Mr. Anderson you must be on top of the world right now, a number one contender’s opportunity offered to you by our General Manager for this Sunday at The Great American Bash. How are you feeling and how do you intend to defeat Rob Van Dam, the Celtic Warrior Sheamus and your old adversary John Cena?” Anderson says that none of the aforementioned “superstars” have anything on Anderson because: “it takes smarts to win a Fatal Four Way JB. We all know how dumb that doof Sheamus is and we all know that Cena fights on instinct. He makes the best of any situation, but not like me. I’ve got the brains, the wrestling moves and the class to win this Fatal Four Way match. Kudos to our GM for puttin’ me in this match, but to all my opponents, well bad luck because the man that will get his hand raised at the end of the match will be Mmmmmisssterrrrr….” Anderson’s cut off because Rob Van Dam walks onto the scene and JB suddenly pays more attention to him. JB: “Rob Van Dam! RVD congratulations for achieving this opportunity.” Anderson: “Achieving?! What did he do exactly?” Van Dam coolly shrugs: “Oh come on Ken, don’t be like that. I won a few matches and I haven’t caused Edge a headache since, well ever.” Anderson: “Oh I remember, you had that Hardcore run where you thought you could still cut it with the best of that division. And oh wait a minute you failed, just like you’ll fail on Sunday.” RVD: “Think what you want Ken, but World Title opportunities don’t come around often and it’s true, I’m not a Hardcore guy anymore, but as you know from our constant battles in TNA, I can still kick your ass Ken, so there’s no reason why I can’t win at The Bash.” Anderson laughs: “Oh you’re gonna kick my ass? Haha, we’ll see about that! (He shouts) AAANNNdderrsoonnnn! (At JB) and AAANNNdderrsoonnnn! (At RVD, before walking off the picture and yelling) Your new Number One Contender for the KWF World Title, MMMMMMiiiiiiStttterrrrrr AAAAANNNNNDDDerrrrsooonnnnnnNNN!” JB shakes his head and talks to Van Dam: “He’s a bit of an a-hole right?” RVD shrugs: “Whatever dude, I’m just looking forward to Sunday. This is my chance to show the world what I still got. I may not be Hardcore anymore, but progress is necessary and I’m confident in my abilities that I can beat any one of those guys in the Fatal Four Way. Man, Sovereignty 4’s coming and that’s the KWF’s birthday. It would be an amazing honor to go into that as the number one huntsman for the World Title. And this is my first opportunity at the top Title in the KWF. This is awesome. By the end of The Bash, the fans will be on their feet again because their new number one contender will be (thumb-taunt toward the camera) Rob Van Dam.” 

We see a video package showing some Austin Aries in-ring highlights as KWF X-Division Champion. We see Bubba Ray and Devon raising their KWF Tag Team Championships after defending their Belts so many times in the Keystone Wrestling Federation. The song playing over the clip is AC/DC’s ♫Thunderstruck!♫ «< click to play) and we next see KWF’s Women’s Champion AJ Lee patriotically wave the American flag. There’s numerous clips of finishing maneuvers from a range of KWF superstars and as the video plays out it’s revealed that this is indeed a commercial for KWF’s next pay-per-view extravaganza, on June 17^th 2012 the KWF presents THE GREAT AMERICAN BASH!

We come back from commercial, and ♫the music of Shelton Benjamin♫ «< click to play) as we anticipate our main event of the evening. JR sounds excited, and leads us into a short video piece. It shows how Benjamin and Styles were recruited by Edge at the dawn of the KWF to form part of his now legendary Thundercats stable. The three of them, along with Panther, Trish Stratus and Bobby Lashley, travelled together, competed alongside each other, and fought against the notorious World Elite faction. Shelton and AJ decided to pair up and go for Tag Team Gold. Their high energy and similar cat-like styles proved to be a huge success, as they held both the WWE and TNA Tag Titles at different times. However, after the Thundercats split, the duo went their separate ways in search of singles glory. While Benjamin has held United States Gold, he hasn’t been able to keep up with the success of The Phenomenal One, who has gone on to be WWE Champion, a Royal Rumble winner, a WrestleMania main eventer and a KWF World Heavyweight Champion. AJ and Shelton have remained friends, but tonight they face each other for the first time in history. Will styles clash as the former T-cats go one on one? We return from the clip in time for the entrance of the Phenomenal One. ♫Get ready to fly!♫ «< click to play).

Shelton Benjamin vs. AJ Styles

As they stand opposite one another, they nod, before a quick handshake and we get underway. Things are very even early on as they lock up, attempt locks and sweeps, but the other just keeps reversing, blocking or nipping out of the way. Shelton attempts a dragonwhip kick, but Styles sees it coming and falls to his back, before kipping up again. Shelton and AJ both smirk as the fans applaud. JR: “Wow, two very evenly matched individuals. They know each other so well. They may never land a blow here William. We could go on all night like this.” Regal: “Evenly matched? Styles a former WWE and KWF Champion, and Shelton, who AJ carried for two years?” JR: “That’s very harsh William. Shelton Benjamin is a superb athlete, and he’s beaten Triple H in his time.” Regal: “Be fair JR, so have you.” Styles has got the upper hand as he forced Shelton into the corner, before leaping across to hit a flying forearm. Neither man is holding anything back here, and AJ seems glad to be competing at such a high standard ahead of his Hell In A Cell match with The Absolute Lashley on Sunday. JR: “This is electric. It’s like Shawn Michaels versus Marty Jannetty all over again.” Regal: “Indeed, and we all know who’s the Jannetty here.” JR: “Will you stop it!” The match has gone back and forth at regular intervals, with Benjamin giving as good as he gets. He hits a springboard cross body, before getting put down again by a reverse DDT, but moments later he manages to hit the dragonwhip kick. Both men are down and dazed as we head to our final commercial break of tonight’s Turmoil.

When we come back, Shelton is on top. He has Styles in a single leg Boston Crab. AJ is contorted, but doesn’t tap. Regal questions why Shelton is trying so hard given he has no match at the Bash. JR replies that that’s exactly why. “Shelton is good enough to fight for Titles, but he has to prove himself to Edge like everyone else. Tonight is a perfect chance for him to shine and elevate himself up the KWF ladder.” He is certainly impressing the fans, who are cheering for him just as much as they are for Styles. AJ has escaped the crab, but gets hooked around the head as Benjamin attempts a suplex. The Gold Standard lifts AJ up, but Styles lands on his feet, before attempting a Pele. Shelton holds his hands out and catches Styles’ foot. AJ puts his hands out to balance, before adjusting to grab Shelton by the head with his ankles and flipping him forward with a headscissors. Shelton falls through the middle rope and to the outside. The fans cheer as JR talks up the Phenomenal One: “What a move, and Styles is in the zone now. Lashley won’t be happy to see the number one contender in such good form.” Regal: “Haha, The Absolute One is probably not even watching Jim. Paul Bearer’s probably got him digging graves somewhere.” Styles then races over to fly over the top rope with a Fosbury Flop. However, Shelton sees him coming and hits an incredible dropkick to AJ in mid air. Both men are down as the fans chant ‘This is awesome!’ The referee administers a Ten-count, and gets to Seven before either man begins to stir. Shelton rolls in on Eight, and Styles just about gets back in on Nine. The match continues with both men giving it all they’ve got. They are firing one another with rights, when *BAM!* out of nowhere Shelton hits PayDirt! JR: “Oh my God, Shelton’s gonna win!” He slowly crawls across and drapes his arm over AJ. 1… 2… kick out! Styles escapes, but looks out of it. “Styles kicked out, but how much gas does he have left?” Shelton can’t believe it, and so makes his way over and out to the apron, leaving Styles on his back. Shelton is in the middle of the apron, and leaps up onto the top rope before jumping off. As he does, AJ kips up again and in one fast motion “BAM!* “Pele! Pele! Pele!” Akin to Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chinning Benjamin in similar fashion seven years ago, Styles hits a Pele on his friend as he leapt from the top rope. The fans are jumping up and down as Styles covers and gets a relatively inevitable Three.

Winner: AJ Styles.

AJ gets up and has a look of astonishment on his face. JR: “I don’t think even he thought that would work, but he got Shelton right between the eyes. What… a… match!” Regal: “That was quite something. Two excellent competitors, but I can’t believe how stupid Shelton was to try that again given what Michaels did to him in 2005. And AJ may have won, but it looks like that match was more than just a tune up. He looks positively exhausted.” Styles heads over to Benjamin, who is struggling to get to his feet. AJ helps him up and Shelton looks up at him. There is a stand off moment where Shelton stands with his hands on his hips, still looking dazed. He doesn’t look happy, and AJ isn’t sure what’s about to happen. But Shelton nods and hugs his friend. The fans cheer as they pat one another on the back. We see a close up, and Shelton is saying to AJ “You can beat him. And if I didn’t believe that before, I damn sure do now.” He raises AJ’s hand, before a symbolic tap on the waist and he goes to exit. *BONG* The lights go out. There are screams from the crowd as JR shouts “What the?!” When the lights eventually come back on, Shelton has disappeared. AJ looks around for him, but he’s vanished. Regal: “Maybe he ran up the ramp to hide his shame.” JR: “Maybe not.” We see on the tron that Shelton is now backstage, battered and bloodied. The camera pans out and we see that the monstrous figure of The Absolute Lashley is standing over him. JR goes nuts as Lashley is showing that he has no remorse. JR: “He did the exact same thing to Sting, and that’s one thing, but now he’s done it to an old friend. He’s taken out Shelton Benjamin who he ran with in the Thundercats for so long. They were like brothers, but this is proof if it were needed that the thing standing there is in no way the same as Bobby Lashley. The UnderTaker has moulded this Beast in his image, and Regal, it is a destructive and soulless one. May God watch over AJ Styles on Sunday.” Regal on the other hand says that it’s a brilliant move by the KWF Champion, because now AJ knows that Lashley will beat him to within an inch of his life if he wants to. “If he is willing to do it to an old friend who he has no particular rivalry with, then what on earth will he do to the man who has the audacity to challenge for his Title?” JR: “We only have to wait until Sunday to find out. Don’t miss it folks. The Great American Bash, AJ Styles versus The Absolute Lashley for the KWF World Title, Hell In A Cell!, read it all right here on KWF Blogs!” The show fades out on the image of a worried looking AJ Styles, but is he concerned for his friend’s wellbeing, or is he fearing for his own?… *BONG*…